Side man: A chef’s advice on Thanksgiving’s background players

WASHINGTON — Let’s face it. As you think back to great and not-so-great Thanksgiving dinners of years past (that’s a normal thing, isn’t it?), do you ever really remember the turkey?

The sides are the real stars of the show on so-called Turkey Day, and Chef Todd Sheppeard from Amphora Catering shared some tips with WTOP about how to make the best accompaniments with the least stress.

Charred cauliflower is one inventive Thanksgiving side from the folks at Amphora. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Charred cauliflower is one inventive Thanksgiving side from the folks at Amphora. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Don't sweat the stuffing: Amphora chef Todd Sheppeard says it's not really that difficult. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Don’t sweat the stuffing: Amphora chef Todd Sheppeard says it’s not really that difficult. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Brussels sprouts from Amphora. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Brussels sprouts from Amphora. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A veritable panoply of sides from Amphora. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A veritable panoply of sides from Amphora. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
(1/4)
Charred cauliflower is one inventive Thanksgiving side from the folks at Amphora. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Don't sweat the stuffing: Amphora chef Todd Sheppeard says it's not really that difficult. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Brussels sprouts from Amphora. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A veritable panoply of sides from Amphora. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

Start with the basics, Sheppeard said: Green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy are “the main things you have to have.”

After that, keep things easy, Sheppeard said, with cauliflower, broccoli and bell peppers good examples of “stuff that doesn’t need a lot of cooking time” or prep time — or, for that matter, space in your kitchen, which is likely to get its biggest workout of the year.

Stuffing takes the prize for the dish people stress out about way more than they should, Sheppeard said: “It’s really just adding a good stock to bread and seasoning. As long as you have a hodgepodge of ingredients in there, it’s good.”

Meanwhile, the new trend in Thanksgiving sides is spices, which can liven up what’s traditionally a pretty mild meal. Jams made with spices such as jalapeño or habanero peppers are a good addition, Sheppeard said, as well as Old Bay, which is popping up everywhere.

For all of the above, and even the turkey, Sheppeard said, the key is simply to “take your time and relax.”

And if you do want to get fancy, check out a proverbial boatload of recipes for Thanksgiving sides.

Rick Massimo

Rick Massimo came to WTOP, and to Washington, in 2013 after having lived in Providence, R.I., since he was a child. He's the author of "A Walking Tour of the Georgetown Set" and "I Got a Song: A History of the Newport Folk Festival."

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up