Pan-Seared Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter Garlic and Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

This year has certainly been one for the books, and there is so much to be thankful for—being alive and well is definitely one of them. This Thanksgiving is quite different from any other, as we’re pretty much forced to have small gatherings, away from our loved ones.

I did a poll on my Instagram asking my followers whether they were:

• having a large gathering with family because they missed them,

• only doing a small Thanksgiving with immediate family members, or

• not having Thanksgiving at all this year.

To my pleasant surprise, more people said they were not having Thanksgiving at all this year. However, many are still choosing to spend time with their immediate family members. So much has changed in just a matter of months.

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays where family and friends typically gather from near and far. For many of us, that won’t be the case this year. For me, Thanksgiving will be a party of four—my husband, my mom, our baby, and myself. Hopefully, we can all keep our traditions alive through technology, whether it’s Skype or Zoom, even though we’re physically apart from our loved ones.

Mashed Potatoes Done Right

I also wanted to share with you two of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes that are super easy to make and go with almost anything.

For the record! I am convinced that not all mashed potatoes are created equal—it really depends on the texture you like. Personally, I love to switch things up. When I serve mashed potatoes as a side, I like them a bit thick and fluffy. But when they’re the main dish, I go for a bit lighter and fluffy.

Fresh garlic in mashed potatoes? Amazingly delicious. The sour cream adds an extra level of creaminess, and I love giving mine a quick whip with my handheld mixer. To serve, just sprinkle with fresh herbs like scallions or chives—thank me later. Enjoy!