Simple Thanksgiving Sides + Free Spice Blends*

We are pausing for thought this year as we consider the smaller gatherings at our Thanksgiving tables, and the in-person sacrifices we may have to make. But we can still push the boat out and enjoy a feast, perhaps just in smaller proportions than usual.

Simple Side Dishes

To add simple sides to your traditional turkey dinner (with all the trimmings) or a dish equally special over the holidays we have put our Instant Pot and Crock Pot to good use.

Creamy potato mash, cauliflower mash with truffle oil, confit garlic, and sweet potato mash are all on the menu. The slow cooker confit garlic is such a treat spread onto slices of toasted ciabatta with soft goat cheese and sprinkled with a little sea salt! 

A French Feast

Consider our French classics over the holidays which serve 4-6 guests. As fellow Francophiles, Meg and I launched the Zen of Slow Cooking blog 8 years ago with Julia Child’s Coq au Vin recipe. With so many of us planning smaller holiday gatherings, we thought this would be a perfect time to take a culinary tour of France.  Try savory dishes such as Coq au Vin, Daube Provençale, Herbed Dijon Chicken, and Portobellos Provençale accompanied by delicious wines and decadent desserts of France.

We’re gifting free Coq au Vin and Provençale spice blends this month (one time offer) *when customers purchase one other item at thezenofslowcooking.com . You must ADD the Coq au Vin and the Provencale to your cart, and use ZENGIFT promo code at checkout to receive them for free. (while supplies last)

Leftovers

Don’t forget the leftovers!  White turkey chili using Southwest Fiesta seasoning. 

Print Recipe

Thanksgiving Sides

Ingredients

Creamy Potato Mash

• 1/2 cup water
• 2 kg potatoes (russet) rinsed, peeled, and cut into quaters
• 1/4 cup milk
• 4 tbsp butter

Cauliflower Mash & Truffle Oil

• 1/2 cup water
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 whole head of cauliflower cut into large pieces

Confit garlic

• 1 cup or more (enough to just cover) light olive oil
• 12 cloves garlic peeled

Sweet Potato Mash

• 1/2 cup water
• 3 large sweet potatoes rinsed, peeled, cut into large chunks
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon OPTIONAL
• 2 tbsp maple syrup OPTIONAL
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup pecans toasted

Instructions

Creamy Potato Mash

• Pour water into bottom of Instant Pot
• Put potatoes on trivet / steamer basket
• Secure the cooker lid, seal pressure valve; cook on Manual/Pressure for 8 minutes
• Leave to Natural Pressure Release for 5 minutes
• Drain potatoes, season, add butter and milk, mash using a potato masher until smooth & creamy

Cauliflower Mash & Truffle Oil

• Pour water into bottom of Instant Pot
• put garlic and cauliflower on trivet / steamer basket
• Secure the cooker lid, seal pressure valve; cook on Manual/Pressure for 3 minutes
• Drain cauliflower & garlic, mash using a potato masher
• Season and drizzle with a little truffle oil

Confit Garlic

• Add the garlic to the slow cooker
• Cover with the olive oil
• Cover and cook on LOW: 3 hours 
• Remove and store in a jar
• Uses:

  spread onto toasted ciabatta topped with soft goat cheese

  whisk in humus, white bean dips, or feta cheese with chives

  crush and stir into tomato sauce and pasta dishes

  fold into mashed potatoes

Sweet Potato Mash

• Pour water into bottom of Instant Pot
• Put potatoes on trivet / steamer basket
• Secure the cooker lid, seal pressure valve; cook on Manual/Pressure for 8 minutes
• Natural Pressure Release
• Drain potatoes, season, add cinnamon and maple syrup (if using) butter, mash using a potato masher until smooth & creamy and top with toasted pecans

Zen Moment (for November 2020)

“Give me a small intimate gathering of five people, a dinner party, where one-on-one conversations can be had, where people talk about current events, good books, good food, and weird news. That was my idea of a good time.”― Penny Reid, Elements of Chemistry: Heat

.