Gah, I'm two days late starting our December thread!!  Apologies!  However, Thanksgiving weekend was just crazy busy for me, as I am sure it was for you guys, too.  We haven't posted to the old threads in about a week.  So, let's get back on track!!  Finding a new side dish or two that will be nice on our Christmas or New Year's or any Holiday tables should be tasty, fun work!!

So....anyone perused the chapter yet and zeroed in on what to try?

I love corn fritters, but I don't fry much anymore.  The Creamed Spinach looks easy, and there are a couple of tomato dishes to try.  Actually, I think there is quite a lot in this chapter.  Now dang it, I have to go to the store again!  But some of these things will be a welcome change from turkey and ham, turkey soup, ham and beans, turkey... well, you know.

I didn't o.d. on turkey yet this season, haha!!  And I've got a bone-in ham in the oven as we speak!

I think I'm going to try a rice dish as my first side.  I do like rice when it isn't just plain old rice.  I'm leaniing towards the Grant Street Pilaf (page 208) because it actually sounds like something I wouldn't like.  Rice with pineapples???  Hmmmm.  But, I like to try new things and to step out of my comfort zone once in a while, and this seems easy enough.

Well, I made the Grant Street Pilaf and it is surprisingly....unflavorful.  Bland.  One wold think both the pineapple and the soy sauce would pop....but no.  Hmm.  I think my trouble was with the soy sauce I used.  I eshewed my usual cleap brand and went with an organic low sodium one.  I think the low sodium is the problem.  Perhaps a squirt of the cheap stuff would liven it up.  Oh well...on to make another recipe choice.

Anyone else cooking a side dish anytime soon?

I had a brutal work week, but plan to do one of the tomato dishes this evening.

I did the Golden Capped Baked Tomatoes, they were quite good.  Next time I'll add some Parmesan cheese.  At least this recipe has some salt and pepper in it, LOL!!