HOUSTON – Thanksgiving is right around the corner. If you haven’t already, here’s your reminder to start planning your menu.
While the turkey is usually seen as the “star of the spread,” what you serve alongside it doesn’t have to be bland and boring.
For many gatherings, you’ll find traditional sides like stuffing or dressing, green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole on the menu.
Break the mold this year, and bring a new dish to the table.
Leigh Ann Chatagnier, cookbook author and food blogger behind “My Diary of Us,” stops by Houston Life with three recipes inspired by those classic sides. Plus, a new twist on the traditional pumpkin pie for dessert.
Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins
If you love the crispy bits or edges on top of stuffing, this recipe is for you.
Instead of making this stuffing in a casserole dish, Leigh Ann prefers to use a muffin tin.
That way every person will get a bite of the crispy topping.
You can also omit the sausage and add mushrooms for a meatless take.
CLICK HERE to get the full recipe.
Sheet Pan Green Bean Casserole
When it comes to green bean casserole - it’s hard to keep your green beans from getting soggy or mushy.
But with this recipe, Leigh Ann “roasts” her green beans on a sheet pan in the oven first, then layers a simple mushroom sauce (nothing wrong with the canned stuff) on top. Problem solved!
No surprise here - she finishes it with everyone’s favorite French-friend onion strings!
CLICK HERE to get the full recipe.
Savory Chipotle Sweet Potato Casserole with a Pecan Sage Sourdough Bread Topping
This casserole is not like the classic marshmallow topped dish of the past.
This version has layers of flavors, and was inspired by Leigh Ann’s recipe for chipotle sweet potatoes.
Sweet or savory. Why not both - it’s Thanksgiving, right?!
CLICK HERE to get the full recipe.
Pumpkin Pie Hand Pies
Finally, it’s time for dessert! Move over pumpkin pie, this tasty hand pie version will be the talk of your next Thanksgiving gathering.
Made easy with store-bought pie crust.
Topped with a delicious pumpkin filling and cinnamon sugar coating!
CLICK HERE to get the full recipe.
For more information or to follow Leigh Ann’s blog, “My Diary of Us” - click HERE.