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What to cook in December: Festive sides for joyous gatherings

Recipes that complement main courses or make a celebratory meal all on their own.

Recipes that complement main courses or make a celebratory meal all on their own

CBC Life ·
3 images side by side, left to right: Overhead shot of a gold serving plate of jeera rice; A pear salad on a plate with hands grating Parmesan cheese on top of it; Overhead shot of a white serving plate with roasted brussels sprouts on it.
(Photo, left to right: Christian Lalonde, Jennifer May, David Loftus)

This month, we're focusing on the real stars of holiday meals: the side dishes. With December being a time of many gatherings, we love a crowd-pleasing side you can confidently bring anywhere. We encourage asking people to bring dishes to your dinner as well as volunteering sides wherever you go. Hosting is expensive and a lot of work, so the more communal we make it, the better for all. Plus, it's much more fun when everyone's made a little something to talk about.

We've curated a list of delightful recipes that complement main courses at family-style dinners. There are dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients like root vegetables and squash, vibrant greens like brussels sprouts and broccoli, and comforting potato creations. We've got the recipe for Amy Rosen's crispy potato latkes, which can easily be the main attraction. Same goes for the tourtière and so many other stunning "sides" on this list. 

There's nothing too complicated here, and while this is different from our list of holiday showstoppers, each one of these dishes is perfect for a festival table. Make a couple of these recipes for yourself or just one other, and you've got cause enough for celebration. 

On that note, may your kitchens be merry and bright whether you're with family, friends or enjoying a casserole of mac and cheese all to yourself. 

 

Squashed Brussels Roasted with Chorizo & Chestnuts

Overhead shot of a white serving plate with roasted brussels sprouts on it.
(Photography by David Loftus)

Water Spinach with Fermented Tofu

An overhead shot of a white plate of Stir-Fried Water Spinach with Fermented Tofu.
(Photography by Hannah Che)

Lemon Dijon Snow Peas

A light blue serving dish of sautéed snow peas.

Mezhukkupuratti | മെഴുകുപുരട്ടി

closeup on a plate of stir fry made with zucchini, plantains and green chiles
(Photography by Christian Lalonde)

Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Pancetta

A baking sheet with roasted Brussels sprouts and pancetta on it. A wooden cutting board with grainy mustard, a block of parmesan cheese and pancetta sit next to the baking sheet.
(Photography by Florence Grunfelder; food styling by Sabrina Falone)

Polenta Torta with Gorgonzola and Savoy Cabbage 

Hands holding a wooden cutting board with a polenta torta on it.
(Photography: Steve Giralt)

The Best Cauliflower and Broccoli Cheese 

Closeup on a baking dish with cheesy, baked cauliflower and broccoli. Two hands are holding the dish with a white kitchen towel.
(Photography by David Loftus)

Perfectly Roasted Heirloom Carrots

A white serving platter of roasted heirloom carrots on a wooden table set for a dinner.

Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls with Maple Butter

A bread basket with a red napkin in it sitting on a table. The basket is filled with dinner rolls.

Hasselback Baked Potatoes with Whipped Herb Butter

A red pan of hasselback baked potatoes on a table.

Potato Latkes

Closeup on a plate of potato latkes sitting on a kitchen island. 2 hands are placing the plate down. A bowl of applesauce and a few dreidels sit beside the latkes.
(Photography by Benjamin Rayner)

Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes 

Overhead shot of a slow cooker filled with scalloped potatoes.
(Credit: Christian Lacroix)

Best Roast Potatoes 

Closeup on roast potatoes in a baking pan with sage leaves and garlic cloves on top of the potatoes.
(Photo: David Loftus)

Pomegranate and Parsley Tabbouleh

A grey plate with a Pomegranate and Parsley Tabbouleh on it.
(Credit: Danny Rohrer)
​​ 

Sabzi Polow — Fragrant Herbed Rice

Overhead shot of a large blue plate of Sabzi Polow (Fragrant Herbed Rice). The rice is in the shape of a circle and the top of the rice is golden brown and crispy.
(Photography by Betty Binon)

Spy Apple Noodle Kugel with Dried Cherries

Overhead shot of a white, rectangular serving dish with a noodle kugel. The decor on the table is blue and white.
(Photography by Debi Traub)

Mac & Cheese

A cast iron skillet with mac and cheese in it.
(Photography by Lindsay Anderson and Dana VanVeller)

Jeera Rice

closeup of basmati rice topped with fried onions, on a gold plate on a dark gold background.
(Photography by Christian Lalonde)

Charoset Quinoa

Closeup on a bowl of nut and grain-filled quinoa salad.
(Photography by David Loftus)

Brioche and Sausage Stuffing Bake

A red casserole pan filled with Brioche and Sausage Stuffing Bake sitting on a table.

Classic Tourtière 

Side-by-side overhead shots of an unbaked pie and an image of it after it's baked. The pie crust design is a drummer drumming.

Grilled Radicchio Salad with Tahini & Chive Dressing

Overhead shot of a platter of grilled radicchio topped with red onion, radish slices and tahini sauce.

Sweet Potato and Lentil Salad in a Lime Vinaigrette

A bowl of lentil salad with chunks of sweet potatoes in it, and topped with microgreens and pomegranate arils. Small bowls of pomegranate arils and salad dressing sit next to the salad.
(Photo: Shayma Owaise Saadat)

Fennel and Asian Pear Salad

Side view of a white plate with a salad of sliced pear and fennel on it, topped with pecorino cheese.
(Photography by Jennifer May)

A (mostly!) Make-Ahead Citrus Salad

overhead shot of a citrus salad on a white plate sitting on a dark green napkin on a marble countertop. the salad has greens, orange slices, grapefruit slices, pickled onions and avocado.

Broccoli Walnut Slaw with Ginger Lemon Tahini Dressing

Overhead shot of a blue bowl of broccoli walnut slaw on a table with blue and white decor.
(Photography by Debi Traub)

Warm Winter Salad

Overhead shot of 3 bowls of salad on a wooden table.

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