Side: Apple Cider Steamed Cabbage and Bacon

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 20 min

Serves (6)

Apple cider brings out the hidden sweetness of cabbage, and makes this dish the perfect side to your next bratwurst filled Oktoberfest. Use in place of sauerkraut as a base for meats, or let stand alone. Balance the sweetness with salty bacon, cracked black pepper, and just a little butter for some flavorful clarity.

Ingredients: 1 head of cabbage, 1 1/2 cups apple cider*, 4-6 oz bacon, 4 tbsp butter, salt, pepper, water

*Can substitute apple juice for cider.

Cut bottom off cabbage. Slice remaining cabbage into strips. Wash and set aside.

Cut bacon into 1/2 inch pieces and cook in large pan over medium heat. We want to take all the flavor with us, so add a handful of cabbage slices and a little water to pan with bacon. Heat over medium-high heat, scraping bottom of pan to release any remaining bacon pieces and juice.

Pour bacon and cabbage mixture into a large pot. Add remaining cabbage, apple cider, butter, and enough water to cover 2/3 of cabbage. Generously sprinkle with salt and pepper (and then more pepper). Mixing cabbage occasionally, partially cover pot with lid and steam over low-medium heat until cabbage is tender (about 15-20 min).

Side: Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Vanilla and Raisins

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 20 min

Serves (2)

I admit I'm not the biggest fan of plain sweet potatoes. I do, however, love sweet potatoes with sugar, butter, and marshmallows! But such concoctions tend to be over sweetened. With plump raisins and a little bit of powdered sugar, this recipe satisfies your "healthy" sweet tooth without making you feel like you've just robbed a candy store.

Ingredients: 2 medium-large sweet potatoes, 1 egg, 2/3 cup raisins, 3 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp powdered sugar, 3 tbsp milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

Peel sweet potatoes. Dice. Place potatoes in 2 qt pot, cover with water and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer over medium heat until potatoes are soft and a fork easily pierces them (about 15 min). The last 5 min of simmering, place raisins in the water with potatoes. Drain.

Immediately transfer potatoes and raisin to mixing bowl. Add the egg and beat with electric beater (15 seconds). Add in butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and vinegar. Beat with electric beater until potatoes are whipped, scraping bowl constantly. (Mixing the egg with the hot potatoes will effectively cook the egg, so you'll want to mix them rather quickly to ensure the potatoes are still hot.)

Entrée: Italian Baked Chicken

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time 30-45 min

Serves (4)

I love baked chicken. Asian chicken is always a treat, and any Latin infusion is great. But some nights, you're just in the mood for classic Americana. A simple dry rub is all you need, and you'll be on your way to a meal worthy of Thanksgiving. Add mashed potatoes or herb stuffing, and you may as well call grandma and break out the fine china.

Ingredients: 4 chicken thighs*, 1 heaping tsp flour, 1/3 cup water

Rub: 2 tbsp Italian seasoning, 3 tsp onion powder, 1/4-1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/3 tsp salt, paprika

*Cooking time and rub amount is based off coating and covering 4 thighs. A whole chicken will require more rub and cooking time up to 1.5 hrs depending on weight.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter bottom of 8x8 pan. Combine seasonings (minus paprika) in small bowl. Coat chicken with seasoning and place in pan. Sprinkle with paprika and a little olive oil.

Bake until chicken is done (no pink) 170 degrees for thighs, 180 degrees for whole chicken.

Remove chicken from pan. Place pan on burner. Mix heaping tsp flour with water and add to chicken gravy in pan. Heat over high heat stirring frequently until gravy thickens.

Alternatives: This seasoning also makes an excellent rub for turkey or fish.

Side: Herb Stuffing

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 15 min

Serves (2)

I have a confession. I'm typically a fan of stuffing that comes from a bag. I know, combining gourmet meals with store bought stuffing is a borderline travesty. No more! With a delicate balance of herbs and oil, this stuffing is so easy to prepare you'll never go back to a bag again. I'm pretty sure I'm committed to preparing this recipe for every Thanksgiving to come.

Ingredients: 2 cups cubed french bread*, ½ cup chopped celery, ½ cup chopped onion, ¼ cup water, ¼ olive oil, 1-2 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp pepper, ¼ tsp salt

*You'll want a fresh french baguette for this recipe. Italian, sourdough, or multigrain loaves have a tendency to be too moist.

Place cubed bread in food processor and pulse just until cubes break apart. The smallest bread pieces should only be pea sized. If you don't have a food processor, rough chop breadcrumbs with a chef's knife. Set aside.

Mince onion and celery and place in saucepan with butter, oil, water and seasonings. Allow onion and celery to cook over medium heat for about 15 min. onions and celery should be soft.

Remove seasoned butter sauce from heat, add to breadcrumbs in medium bowl and lightly toss with fork. (If more moisture is needed, add extra water sparingly.)