For this year’s Thanksgiving meal, I will responsible for cooking. This also includes planning. We all know that the secret to a successful Thanksgiving meal with numerous side dishes delivered to the table piping hot all at once is….more than one oven! Correct? But unless you live in a hotel or you’re just lucky, you’re like me and most likely have just the one oven.
So, in my mental preparations, I’ve determined what I need is one less side dish that requires cooking in an oven. In a quick Google search, I discovered the Pinch of Yum blog and this dish:
Doesn’t this look fabulous? The perks: it’s cold and crunchy so no oven is necessary, and it has bacon! Double win.
After discovering Lindsay’s recipes over at Pinch of Yum, I wondered if I, too, could be a food blogger. I’m sure I don’t have what it takes. Seriously though, I could just look at Pinch of Yum’s photos all day long. Everything looks just yummy!
I decided I want to make this recipe in place of the green bean casserole that everyone pretends to like. I’ve tried for years to consume the green bean casserole, placing mere spoonfuls on my plate and leaving them for the last possible moment at which point they were simply too cold to swallow. I have now solved my problem. It’s called Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad.
If you make this salad, however, don’t be tempted to buy those chopped bags of Brussels sprouts you see at Trader Joe’s, because they are not, I repeat are NOT, the delicate shavings of Brussels sprouts you see in the photo above. And believe me, I’m tempted by the pre-chopped bags. How much of difference is there between chopped and shaved Brussels sprouts? Apparently, a lot. It’s all about the texture, darling, and texture is everything. It always is.
So, how does one accomplish these fine, delicate shavings of Brussels sprouts? I’m so glad you asked. You use a nifty, little cooking tool called a mandoline, which is also capable of crinkle-cuts and playing music if you strum it just so. Kidding okay. Please don’t try that at home. I understand it’s sharp and possibly a good idea to wear gloves while using the mandoline, so now it seems this recipe has become a bit pricey and dangerous.
Be careful out there. Aside from my this splendid recipe, a tremendous storm is in the forecast in the Sierra Mountains, possibly preventing half our expected party from attending Thanksgiving dinner. While we couldn’t be happier that snow is in the forecast (go snowpack!), it’s coming all at the wrong time. I guess I can’t expect the weather to follow the holiday schedule. Personally, I think the weather knows exactly what it’s doing.
Will I make the Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad? Will my family make it over the snowy mountain? I just don’t know.
In the meantime, do you happen to have a mandoline I can borrow? Do you eat the green bean casserole? What’s your favorite vegetable side dish?
Wishing you a safe, warm and Happy Thanksgiving if you’re celebrating the holiday. And if you’re not, I still hope you’re happy, safe and warm!
Best of luck with your meal preparation! I look forward to hearing how the Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad turns out. I think were I to make it, I’d be the only one in my family to eat it. (But I’d omit the bacon; never really cared for bacon–do I dare admit that?)
Happy Thanksgiving, Amy!
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Thanks, Carrie. I think I might have a few takers with this salad in my family, especially since it has bacon in it. You don’t like bacon?! Oh, you’re so good. I find it hard to resist. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Carrie!
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Thank you, you too! As for being good, that only applies to bacon. Put me in a room of baked goods or chocolate, and it’s a different story. Sigh.
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I fall for the baked goods and chocolate, too. Yum!
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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Amy! Become a food blogger. My daughter is one http://www.littlefoodblog.com/.
I’m shocked Carrie doesn’t like bacon (lol), boy, is she missing out! 😀
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Thanks, Dianne! That’s right. Your daughter is a food blogger. I remember now. How do they take such beautiful photos of the food? It seems like that is pretty important!
I can’t believe Carrie doesn’t like bacon. Is she crazy or what?!! 🙂
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Hope you have a great Thanksgiving! I’m a little jealous since we already had ours, so I have to wait a whole month for my next turkey dinner!as
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Ignore the “as”, that’s my dog Herbie’s contribution.
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How very thoughtful of Herbie. Woof!
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You’re in Canada, aren’t you?! Toronto? Well, rest assured, next month will be here before you know it. I hope I can pull off the dinner. Thanks, Sean!
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We’re in Ottawa, so not far from Toronto at all (about a 4 hour drive). I’m sure your dinner will go great! Hope it’s a great day!
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Oh, Ottawa. It just makes me think of snow. I bet it’s cold there. Thanks, Sean. I hope so!
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Oh, that looks delicious! Is it bad I haven’t really planned anything? We’ll only have seven around our table this year, but still. I remember the first year I hosted- I made a four day plan for preparations, a special grocery list and a minute by minute rundown of the actual day. Ah, how times have changed! Good luck on your big day! Gobble, gobble!
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Actually, this will be a small group, too. I just don’t do it that often and it’s been a while. I wish you could help me, Jen. Want to come over? Happy Thanksgiving, Jen! xo
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Whatever happens, people will be happy and there will be a good story to tell. I am sure of that. Yes you could borrow my mandoline but the mail won’t get it there in a timely fashion. I wish you luck with your guests getting there and your dinner being edible.
Love,
Shalagh
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I hope so, Shalagh. I think I’m ready. The important thing is that we will all be together. The storm wasn’t as bad as they predicted. So, that’s good! Happy Thanksgiving to you. Enjoy! Love, Amy
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I don’t know about serving cold bacon. Did it work?
I love Brussels Sprouts almost as much as life itself but I never get them. My wife won’t cook them and the girls won’t eat them. Don’t get me started on anchovies.
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You won’t believe this, but I didn’t make it! Doh! I’m not worried about the cold bacon though. It always tastes good on salads, although it kind of defeats the purpose of the salad. I will try this one. It was just too much with everything else! Maybe your wife would like this one. People who don’t like cooked Brussels Sprouts may very well like this one, since it’s not cooked. Do you like anchovies? I can’t eat those. Too salty!
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