When Thanksgiving rolls around, I'm often the odd one in that I am busy looking forward to homemade stuffing, a tangy cranberry-orange sauce and rolls so soft they almost melt in your mouth. Sure, the turkey is great too ... but it's the wide array of special sides that make the holiday special and each table a little unique.
With so many families gathering around a table this Thanksgiving with a roasted turkey as its centerpiece, I thought it important to pay tribute to the side dishes that will round out and truly define the meal that we sit down to as a group. Whether it's the traditional dishes of green bean casserole and sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows or more themed dishes like wild rice stuffing or cayenne baked sweet potatoes, the side dishes add depth and character to this special meal.
In honor of these special dishes, I'm sharing two of my favorites that add a touch of Italian heritage to our Thanksgiving table. Enjoy them this holiday or any special day! Happy Thanksgiving!
Preheat the broiler. Place the peppers under the broiler until the skins turn black. Remove them and seal them in a resealable plastic bag for 5 minutes. Remove the peppers and peel off the skin. Core and seed the peppers and cut them into strips. Toss the pepper strips with the walnut oil.
Place the pecans and half of the thyme sprigs in a skillet coated with vegetable oil and sprinkle them with salt. Cook until the nuts are toasted, about 2 minutes.
Carefully cut the goat cheese into 4 horizontal rounds. Arrange them on an oiled sheet of foil and broil for about 3 minutes or until they are lightly browned and melting.
Arrange the salad greens on four salad plates. Remove the pepper strips from the walnut oil, reserving the oil. Add the pepper strips and pecans around the edges of the greens. Place a goat cheese round in the center and top each with a small thyme sprig. Drizzle with the reserved walnut oil and lemon juice and serve warm.
