Making Thanksgiving dinner is a daunting task for many Americans, especially those of us with poor culinary skills. But there is hope!
Cooking simple sides leaves you more time for complicated dishes (ahem…the turkey). That’s why we’ve rounded up easy recipes for three Thanksgiving classics: stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green beans.
Crock-Pot Stuffing via The Gracious Wife
You Will Need:
- 1 (1 pound) loaf of bread, cubed and left out for 24 hours
- ¼ chopped onion
- ¼ cup chopped celery
- 1 cup water or chicken/turkey stock
- 1 egg, beaten
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon sage
Directions:
1. In a large baking dish, toss together bread cubes, celery, and onions.
2. Add water and egg to the bread mixture and gently squeeze the mixture together with your hands to wet all of the bread.
3. Place the softened butter in small pats on top of the wet bread mixture and gently work in with your hands.
4. Add poultry seasoning and sage and work into the mixture until incorporated.
5. Transfer stuffing mixture to a lightly greased slow cooker.
6. Cook on Low for 4-6 hours, until heated through and desired crunchiness is achieved.
Easy Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Sauce via Rachel Cooks
You Will Need:
- 5 cups fresh cranberries, washed and drained
- 3/4 cup apple cider
- 2 cups small-diced apples (about two medium apples)
- 1 1/2 cups tightly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot (choose an extra big one to prevent yourself from being a splatter-victim).
2. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium.
3. Stir frequently and simmer for 15 minute or until apples and cranberries are soft and sauce is thickened.
4. Cool before serving.
Garlic Green Beans via The Life Jolie
You Will Need:
- 1 lb. of green beans
- 2- tbsp. butter
- 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped fine
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Boil your green beans for around 10 minutes and drain well.
2. In a saute pan, melt your butter over medium high heat.
3. Add your garlic and saute for a couple minutes stirring here and there.
4. Add the beans and the parsley and mix all together.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.
The downside to a delicious meal?
The dishes that come with it. Thankfully, residents at Hilltop Club in Bowling Green, Kentucky and The Reserve at Athens in Athens, Georgia have dishwashers in their apartments.
If you’re lucky enough to have a dishwasher, too, check out these tips for keeping it clean.