Grow-Fit Approved Thanksgiving Side Dishes

By Nicole Spain, Registered Dietitian

Although the turkey takes the spotlight on the Thanksgiving dinner table, there should be lots of supporting side dishes to round out the feast.  From our table to yours, we hope you will enjoy some of our fall-inspired Grow Fit recipes at your Thanksgiving celebration

this year.

Winter Pumpkin Soup

Serves 6

Pureed pumpkin                                                                              32 oz.   

Vegetable stock                                                                                8 oz

Milk                                                                                                  3/4 C

Cinnamon, ground                                                                           1/8 tsp

Nutmeg, ground                                                                               ¼ tsp

Cumin, ground                                                                                ¼ tsp

Butter or margarine                                                                        1/8 C

Salt & pepper                                                                                 To taste

Raisins (optional)                                                                            ½ C

Cooking instructions:

1.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (325 for convection oven).

2.  Combine all ingredients except milk. Mix well until combined.  

3.  Heat in oven for 30 min or until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees.

4.  Blend in milk until soup is smooth and creamy.

5. Serve with raisins, dried cranberries or even roasted pumpkin seeds. 

Cinnamon Glazed Carrots

Serves 4-6

(1 serving  = ¼ cup)

Frozen carrots, diced                                                      1 lb

Brown sugar                                                                    ¼ tsp

Butter, melted                                                                  1/8 C

Cinnamon                                                                        ¾ tsp

Cooking Instructions:

1. Steam carrots until tender.(Various methods of steaming include using a double boiler, microwave or steamer.Time will vary according to method used.)

2. In a small mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients.Pour over carrots immediately.

Florentine Mashed Potatoes

Serves 6

Baking potatoes                                                  2 lbs

Chicken stock                                                     1 C

Frozen spinach, chopped, thawed                     1 C

Garlic powder                                                     ½ tsp

Parmesan cheese                                              ½ tsp

Basil, chopped                                                  1 tbsp

Instructions

1. Peel and cube the potatoes and place in a large saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain the water.

2. Mash the potatoes using a hand mixer or potato masher. Add broth slowly until desired consistency is reached.

3. Add the remaining ingredients, stir well and reheat.Serve hot.

Baked Pears

Serves 4-6

Pears                                                                                    4-6 fresh

Butter, melted                                                                       ¼ C

Cinnamon                                                                             ½ tsp

Brown sugar                                                                         ¼ C

Corn starch                                                                           1 tsp

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (400 degrees for convection oven).

2. Peel (optional) and slice pears.

3. Combine pears, butter, cinnamon, sugar and cornstarch.

4. Bake for 15-30 min or until pears reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees (juices should absorb into a thick syrup).

VARIATIONS

• Replace pears with sliced apples

• Sprinkle top with a little oatmeal to turn it into a “crisp”

• Add raisins to the mixture before baking