A glistening turkey is the centerpiece of a holiday spread. While it’s an impressive culinary feat, we’d argue that it is the surrounding sides (infused with maple syrup, in this case!) which fill both the table and our stomachs. Don’t be fooled by these supportive dishes, the lot of them have main course energy.
Of course, each dish is infused with pure maple syrup. This rich sweetener is more than a condiment for pancakes. The deep flavor of maple is an enhancer for savory dishes. We love it in salad dressings and against the tartness of cranberries.
A heaping of each side will highlight the themes of fall flavors across the holiday table. Together, they’ll combine on the fork for the most perfect bite of textures and flavors.
Maple Goat Cheese Twists
This easy appetizer will translate seamlessly into your dinner buffet. Flakey and salty, with goat cheese and spiced pepitas pressed into the pastry, this is the perfect dish for a stick season dinner. These puff pastry twists are finished with maple syrup, and can be used as an additional utensil to scoop up lingering salad dressing and cranberry sauce.
Warm Winter Salad with Maple Seed Brittle
What does a warm salad entail? Think roasted vegetables and cooked grains as a base. Imagine salty, crunchy bits as tasty accessories. For this salad we combined broccoli and Brussels sprouts for a cruciferous foundation. These greens are deep in their color and delectable in their flavor. While this Warm Winter Salad recipe does not call for a grain, you can easily add faro or quinoa to the mix.
To build upon this base we fry up bacon and add the freshness of a crispy apple to elevate each bite. If you feel especially committed to adding maple flavor to this salad (we encourage it!) try making our Maple Candied Bacon recipe. Chopped up it’ll add a fitting sweetness and bit of kick (courtesy of the cayenne).
The maple seed brittle is toasted and glued together with a maple mixture. Delightful in its crunch, use this over green beans or roasted carrots.
Autumn Pizza with Maple, Squash and Sausage
Pizza? For the holidays? We say, “Absolutely! Why not!”
Think of it as a flatbread, a canvas on which these seasonal flavors can show off. Sausage and squash collaborate for a welcomed new tradition to the table. Drizzle maple syrup before and after baking to electrify each bite with richness!
Maple Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts and maple syrup make a harmonious pairing. Together they become a beloved side dish for dinner. This roasted recipe is simple to achieve but tastes like a gourmet indulgence thanks to its medley of flavors. Sweet, tart, robust, savory; this side dish has it all! Enjoy these roasted maple Brussels sprouts on their own, in a warm hearty grain bowl, or beside a golden turkey dinner.
Maple Roasted Carrots with Herby Green Sauce
Sometimes you can achieve big flavor with little effort. These carrots are one of those recipes. The carrots, which only need to be sliced and tossed in maple syrup, become slightly caramelized in the oven. The herbaceous, and slightly spicy, green sauce adds a refreshing balance to the carrots. All that’s asked of you is to toss all those ingredients in a blender. You may have to keep a close eye on the pepitas as they toast to keep them from burning, but that effort is worth it when you crunch on this salty reward. (If you’d prefer nuts to seeds, use almonds or walnuts here!)
Layered together, you present a show stopping dish that didn’t make you break a sweat.
Maple Cranberry Sauce
A classic must have on the table. Sweet and tart combine forces here for an unforgettable bite.
Leek and Potato Soup with Maple Bacon
If a loaded potato took the form of soup, it would be this recipe. Puréed with leeks, garlic, shallot and onion and topped with hearty bits of maple bacon and creamy maple yogurt, every spoonful is a heap of flavor. Plus, a soup as a Thanksgiving side is the perfect way to make room on a crowded plate.