{"id":132301,"date":"2021-11-16T17:44:10","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T22:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/?p=132301"},"modified":"2024-12-30T13:19:36","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T18:19:36","slug":"easy-side-dishes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/easy-side-dishes\/","title":{"rendered":"Easy, Crowd-Pleasing Vegan and Vegetarian Side Dishes – Home, Hearth and Holidays with BHGRE\u00ae"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finding <\/span>easy<\/span> side dishes <\/span>that appeal to carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike used to be a challenge, particularly during the holidays. Not anymore! Delicious, crowd-pleasing <\/span>sides<\/span> can be just minutes away. From crispy roasted mushrooms to mouthwatering rosemary-potato focaccia rolls, you\u2019ll be amazed at the variety of options open to you. If you are planning holiday dinner menus, read on as we reveal the <\/span>easy side dishes <\/span>that are thrilling us this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Crispy Roasted Mushrooms<\/b><\/p>\n

If you love rich mushrooms, a crispy roasted mushrooms <\/span>dish<\/span> should be at the top of your list of unique <\/span>sides<\/span> for your guests to sample. <\/span>Real Simple<\/span><\/i><\/a> raves about the beauty of this <\/span>easy<\/span> vegan <\/span>side dish <\/span>because \u201croasting the mushrooms brings out their deep, earthy flavors.\u201d The recipe only requires 15 minutes of active prep, leaving plenty of time to focus on your other holiday dinner preparations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Creamy Vegetarian Polenta<\/b><\/p>\n

Whether you are looking for something to replace the classic mashed potatoes <\/span>side<\/span> or something unique to supplement the other delicious vegetarian offerings at your table, consider cooking up a batch of tasty polenta. The editors at <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> are fans: \u201cWhether you choose the soft and creamy version or the firmer, set rendition, polenta makes a wonderful <\/span>side dish <\/span>for hearty fall and winter meals.\u201d You can make the polenta ahead of time and keep it warm over low heat or prepare it as you would your other <\/span>sides<\/span>. Either way, this <\/span>easy side dish <\/span>yields up to 24 servings that will bring a smile to the faces of your guests. And the good news is that this <\/span>side dish <\/span>can <\/span>easily<\/span> become a vegan favorite with two minor adjustments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes<\/b><\/p>\n

Speaking of mashed potatoes, did you know that there is a simpler way to make the time-honored holiday dinner <\/span>dish<\/span>? The Instant Pot makes quick and delicious work of this vegetarian offering by essentially steaming the garlic cloves and Yukon Gold potatoes together before mashing. But there is a bonus to this method for busy hosts, which particularly excites the editors at <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a>. What is it? The <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> reveals: \u201cMaking this <\/span>easy side dish <\/span>in the multicooker frees up precious stovetop space at Thanksgiving.\u201d Busy home chefs will applaud!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Easy<\/b> Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Lime and Cilantro<\/b><\/p>\n

Vegan sweet potato <\/span>side dishes <\/span>are having a moment this holiday season. Perfectly sweetened following an October harvest, sweet potatoes are in their prime come Thanksgiving. You can take advantage of this popular root vegetable for all your holiday events. How does <\/span>Real Simple<\/span><\/i><\/a> like to update this seasonal <\/span>side<\/span>? The <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> loves \u201c[jazzing] up the roasted potatoes with lime zest and cilantro for a zingy twist.\u201d This <\/span>easy<\/span> recipe has an active prep time of only 10 minutes, and it is ready to serve in under a half-hour. And while it serves eight guests as is, you\u2019ll want to make more, even if it is just so that you can add it to your always-in-demand leftovers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brussels Sprouts with Cornbread Croutons<\/b><\/p>\n

Are you serving your vegetarian holiday meals Southern-style? If so, you\u2019ll love <\/span>Southern Living<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2019s \u201cBrussels Sprouts with Cornbread Croutons\u201d <\/span>side dish <\/span>recipe. Considered one of their best yet, \u201cthis recipe \u2026 is as tasty as it is quick and <\/span>easy<\/span>.\u201d The key to it is to buy the cornbread (or make it) ahead of time and allow it to sit cubed for a couple of days before your holiday dinner. Otherwise, it takes less than five minutes in active preparation, as most of the work is done by your oven. If you are nervous about browning the sprouts, <\/span>Southern Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> offers this helpful tip: \u201cif it smells too strong, you\u2019ve cooked it too long.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Beet and Ricotta Salata <\/b>Side<\/b> Salad<\/b><\/p>\n

Decadent cheese, roasted beets, and a dash of red wine vinegar are just some of the elements that make this <\/span>easy side dish <\/span>among <\/span>Real Simple<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2019s favorites this holiday season. Plus, it is almost as eye-catchingly colorful as it is delicious. Requiring only 15 minutes in preparation, this vegetarian <\/span>side <\/span>can be served warm or at room temperature, and substitutions are a snap. <\/span>Real Simple<\/span><\/i><\/a> advises: \u201cIf you can\u2019t find ricotta salata\u2014a deliciously salty, crumbly cheese\u2014use Feta or goat cheese instead.\u201d There are also several tantalizingly good vegan kinds of cheese that you can use crafted from almonds, cashews, or tofu.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oven-Roasted Asparagus <\/b>Side Dish<\/b><\/p>\n

Oven-roasted asparagus is an <\/span>easy side dish <\/span>that looks like you spent hours on it when in reality, the total prep and cook time is actually less than 20 minutes. It also features one of those vegetables that everyone loves. Why is this one of <\/span>Southern Living<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2019s favorite <\/span>side dish <\/span>recipes? \u201cSeasoned with classic ingredients like garlic and freshly ground black pepper, this tasty cuisine is bursting with flavor, yet simple and refined.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wild-Rice Stuffed Squash<\/b><\/p>\n

Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2019s \u201cWild-Rice Stuffed Squash\u201d recipe is the perfect <\/span>side dish <\/span>\u2013 it\u2019s colorful, hearty, and bursting with flavor. In fact, it is such a satisfying <\/span>side dish<\/span>, holiday buffet luncheon or dinner party guests might opt to have it as their main. The <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a>\u2019s recipe features an acorn squash which \u201cis roasted and then filled with a mixture of wild rice, pecans, and dried cherries.\u201d Active preparation time is only 15 minutes, with the squash roasting for approximately 40. Would you love to turn this vegetarian recipe into an <\/span>easy side dish <\/span>that vegan guests can enjoy? Replace the butter with a vegan alternative (like Earth Balance), and you will have a delicious option that all of your guests can savor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bonus: Rosemary-Potato Focaccia Rolls<\/b><\/p>\n

If you have a little extra time on your hands, and you want to bring freshly baked vegan rolls as your holiday dinner offering, take a look at <\/span>Food & Wine<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2019s \u201cRosemary-Potato Focaccia Rolls\u201d recipe. Inspired by Jessamyn Waldman, who varies her toppings depending on the season, this <\/span>side dish <\/span>recipe relies on thinly sliced red-skinned potatoes and fresh, chopped rosemary. The rise and proof stages of the recipe are the most time-intensive, but the actual process of creating \u201cthese airy and perfectly chewy rolls\u201d is surprisingly quick and <\/span>easy<\/span>. As it stands, the recipe yields 12 rolls, but these are so good that you will want to make more just for yourself. We won\u2019t tell!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"