What's for Dinner?

I made these for Thanksgiving this year and they were just so simple to make. Everyone really liked them too. Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients

4 pounds Brussels sprouts
1/2 cup unsalted butter
4 small red onions, cut into strips
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons white sugar
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pistachios

Directions

Place Brussels sprouts in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover saucepan and steam 8-10 minutes or until Brussels sprouts are tender yet crisp.
Melt the butter in a deep skillet, add the onions and 3 tablespoons vinegar; cook until onions brown.
Add the Brussels sprouts, sugar and remaining vinegar. Saute over medium heat until the Brussels sprouts are lightly caramelized.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with pistachios.

This is another dish that I made for Thanksgiving. Really the only work you have to do is saute the onions. Everything else just gets mixed together. I made this in the morning ahead of time and then just re-heated it through in the over before dinner. It was really yummy. Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
2 (10 ounce) packages chopped frozen broccoli, thawed
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
12 buttery round crackers, crushed fine
2 tablespoons butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion until golden.
In a 2 quart casserole dish, mix together onion, broccoli, soup, cheese, mayonnaise, eggs, garlic salt, pepper, seasoned salt, and lemon juice. Sprinkle crushed crackers over top and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 45 minutes, until heated through and browned on top.

I LOVE German potato salad. Yum, yum, yum is all I have to say. Makes 12 servings.

INGREDIENTS
9 potatoes, peeled
6 slices bacon
3/4 cup chopped onions
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 cup water
1/3 cup distilled white vinegar

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 30 minutes. Drain, cool and slice thin.
Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside, reserving drippings.
Saute onions in bacon drippings until they are golden-brown.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, celery seed, and pepper. Add to the sauteed onions and cook and stir until bubbly, then remove from heat. Stir in water and vinegar, then return to the stove and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil and stir for one minute. Carefully stir bacon and sliced potatoes into the vinegar/water mixture, stirring gently until potatoes are heated through.

Basic recipe for one of my favorite side dishes. Feel free to omit the sesame seeds if desired. Makes 4 servings.

INGREDIENTS
8 potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt to taste
1 pinch ground white pepper
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of water to boil; add potatoes, and boil until soft, about 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, and place in a large bowl.
Combine potatoes with milk, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix with an electric mixer or potato masher to your desired consistency. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

This is a great cold salad to serve at summer picnics. Makes 4 servings.

INGREDIENTS
4 slices bacon
1 quart water
1 (16 ounce) package frozen green peas
1/3 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup Ranch dressing
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS
Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat, and cook until evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside.
Bring the water to a boil in a pot. Boil the peas 1 minute, until just tender, and drain. Cool peas under cold running water.
In a bowl, toss together bacon, peas, onion, Ranch dressing, and Cheddar cheese. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until chilled before serving.

I'm not much of an asparagus person but everyone that I served this to loved it. Makes 8 servings.

INGREDIENTS
1 (15 ounce) can asparagus, drained
1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 (15 ounce) can baby peas, drained
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup butter
1 (1 pound) loaf white bread, crusts trimmed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Layer asparagus in the bottom of a medium baking dish. Top with water chestnuts, peas and cream of mushroom soup. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese.
Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Slice bread into 1/4 to 1/2 inch strips, and place in the butter. When butter has been absorbed, layer bread in the baking dish on top of the Cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven 35 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.

This is a simple side dish that is a little different than basic succotash. Makes 8 servings.

INGREDIENTS
1 (16 ounce) package frozen Fordhook lima beans, thawed
1 cup water
1 (16 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon butter (optional)

DIRECTIONS
In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Add lima beans, salt and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Add the corn and green chilies, cover, and continue cooking until the beans are tender, about 5 more minutes. Drain and serve immediately. Top with butter if desired.