Traditional Southern dishes are more than just delicious – they often become our “comfort foods.” Tasty green beans fresh from the garden, smooth mash potatoes and warm applesauce are all dishes I remember at my grandmother’s table.
Steamed green beans are a quick, easy and healthy twist on the green bean casserole.
Photo Credit: Mary Moore
Smooth and tasty, this potato dish is made with ricotta cheese and chicken broth – not the typical heavy creams.
Photo Credit: Mary Moore
The finished applesauce – with cranberries – has a sweet taste and bright red color.
Photo Credit: Mary Moore
Place your applesauce ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Photo Credit: Mary Moore
Too often, delicious holiday sides are loaded with cream or fat. Instead of green beans seasoned with salted bacon this year, why not steam the veggies, add cranberries and top with sautéed onions and lemon juice? Instead of mashing your potatoes in heavy cream, choose twice-baked potatoes with ricotta cheese and herb topping. And homemade applesauce is a great way to use what’s left of your apple harvest – and it’s as delicious as it is easy to make. Try these recipes for rich home-style goodness without all the fat:
Steamed Green Beans With Almonds
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 4 cups green beans, snapped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon butter (optional, for taste)
- 1 cup almonds, chopped (or 1 cup cranberries instead of almonds)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Optional topping
- ¼ cup of seasoned stuffing mix
- 2 tablespoons water
Directions
Place olive oil, butter and onions into sauté pan and lightly brown. Set aside.
Rinse green beans, remove the ends of each one, then snap the beans into bite-sized pieces. Steam until tender. Stir in almonds (or cranberries) and onions, and lightly sprinkle lemon juice over the green beans. For a crunchy topping, lightly moisten stuffing mix with water, then sprinkle over the green beans. Heat the casserole in the microwave until warm.
Potato Casserole
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes (any type, but I like Yukon Gold)
- Water (enough to cover potatoes)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (regular, low-fat or fat-free – your preference)
- ¼ cup chicken broth (more if potatoes are too thick)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 1 medium onion
- 1 tablespoon margarine (optional – to add if you really miss the buttery taste)
- Cheddar cheese
Directions
Scrub and peel potatoes, then dice them into 1-inch squares. In a large saucepan, cover the potatoes with water, and set stove to medium heat until the water starts to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender enough to mash with a fork (usually between 20-30 minutes).
In a small pan, sauté the onions in butter until tender. Set aside.
When potatoes are tender, mash them using a potato masher or food processor. Mix in ricotta cheese, chicken broth and sautéed onions, then add salt and/or pepper to taste. Mix in fresh chives. Spread potatoes into a casserole dish, then top with sliced cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F, until cheese has melted and potatoes are warm (usually about 15 minutes).
Stovetop Homemade Applesauce
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 6 medium-sized sweet apples (like McIntosh or Fuji)
- 1½ cups water (less if you prefer thick applesauce)
- ½ cup cranberries or dried raisins
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Directions
Rinse, peel and core apples. Cut into small pieces (no larger than an inch big). Place into a 3-quart sauce pan, and add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down and simmer until apples are tender, stirring occasionally. (This should take about 20-30 minutes.) Enjoy warm or cooled.
Try these tasty recipes at your next holiday gathering. They’re not only easy, they’re good for you – bringing a whole new meaning to the term “comfort food.”
