Two simple sides for Thanksgiving

I have to tell you, around this time of year I love all the talk about how to roast or grill a turkey. Yes, you have to have turkey on Thanksgiving just as you  have to leave cookies and milk out for Santa Christmas Eve. But does anyone really love, love, love the turkey? I don’t care if you put a bow tie and a top hat on it. Turkey is still going to be bland and, once out on a buffet table for an hour or so, dry.That’s why I don’t bother brining mine. Too much trouble for too little payback.

Sides are king on Turkey Day. I’m all about the mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing and cranberry sauce. I’m also about trying new sides to change it up a bit.

Curried fruit compote

Green bean and corn casserole

Curried fruit compote has been around at least since the ’70s because that’s when I started making it. It is the only acceptable use for canned fruit that I know about. And green bean and corn casserole is what the classic green bean casserole wants to be when it grows up.

Both of the recipes are on the Char-Broil LIVE site. Just click on over there to get them. And I have to tell you, if you’re still trying to figure out your Thanksgiving meal there’s no better place to find inspiration than at my beloved Char-Broil’s Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving.