There are those major holidays that, for one reason or another, someone long ago decided that we should eat a piece of meat and some sides and call it a feast. But choosing the sides depends heavily on the meat. And, if your family is like most, then there is probably, to some extent, a debate between two major sides: the ham lovers and the turkey lovers. Some fight for turkey on Thanksgiving and ham for Christmas. Others only fight for the meat they most enjoy regardless of the holiday. And those who aren’t interested in an argument at all just serve both. If ham wins out in your home this holiday season - primarily honey baked ham - then you will need to focus on the best sides for it. After all, what is a delicious piece of ham without any sides? Your plate would like quite empty and sad. And no one needs to be sad on Christmas. So gather up your appetite and let’s talk about what to serve with honey baked ham. Roasted Veggies You cannot go wrong with roasted vegetables as a side. First, they are incredibly healthy for you - which, when you consider all the sweets you’ve been eating, could be a really good thing. Also, they taste good and they complement the ham, too. Before you dismiss them as just veggies, think again. Roasted vegetables just taste better. There is something about that oven-crisp flavor that you get when you roast them. Get yourself a good mixture - and include some sweeter ones, too. Like, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, carrots, green beans, etc. The mixture will turn out fantastic. And the best part is that it will be the simplest side dish. You can throw nearly any veggies together with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, garlic - whatever you want! Sweet Potato Casserole Depending on where you reside in the country, sweet potato casserole could already be a regular attendee at Christmas dinner. If not, you are surely in for a treat because while it is called a casserole it is more like a dessert. It is a mixture of yams, brown sugar, melted butter, chopped pecans, and topped with marshmallows. When served with ham, this is a real winner. But be prepared - there probably won’t be any leftovers. Au Gratin Potatoes Everyone tends to turn toward mashed potatoes for holiday feasts. And for good reason - they taste so good. Smothered with some gravy? Oh, yes. But, this year, why don’t you leave the mashed potatoes with the Thanksgiving turkey and opt for homemade cheesy au gratin potatoes instead? It doesn’t take a lot to make this southern dish. Sure, you could buy it in a box and just add water, but come on - it’s Christmas - and you need to do it right! These potatoes require little more than, well, potatoes, cheese, sour cream, onion, and garlic. Sounds easy enough, right? You’ll love it - and your family will, too. Potato Salad Many people prefer their honey-baked ham cold. Or, rather, room temperature. But, let’s be real - serving cold ham next to, say, hot potatoes seems a little weird, doesn’t it? How about potato salad, instead? This great combination should go in the record books for how good they taste together. You can’t just choose any potato salad recipe, though. It has to be delicious and makes your taste buds do flips. Including things like potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, green onion, celery, and more - find a recipe that looks delicious to you and maybe even give it a try before the big day. Or, if someone you know makes a potato salad you love, just ask for the recipe. Green Bean Casserole Like the sweet potato casserole above, green bean casserole may or may not already be a part of your holiday meal. But, if it isn’t, it needs to be. It’s like taking green beans to a whole new level. Some people are scared to try it but those who have are part of the secret club that knows just how fantastic this side dish can be. Mixing green beans with cream of mushroom soup and those crispy fried onions makes for a bursting flavor combo. And, it goes great with honey-baked ham! Glazed Carrots Glazed carrots are a sweet yet savory dish that allows you to reap the benefits of carrots without them really tasting like carrots. Even those who don’t like the vegetable will like this version. You get a choice of honey, sugar, or maple syrup to give a sweet touch. Creamy Homemade Mac ‘n Cheese Salty and sweet ham mixed with creamy, cheesy macaroni - can you get any closer to heaven on earth? Keep in mind that this is not your boxed variety of macaroni and cheese. It’s a grown-up version, for sure. And it tastes amazing. Whether you are looking for feel-good foods because you need the comfort while dealing with your entire family for the holiday - or because you love feeling the warmth, cozy nostalgia that the season brings - you will find it in this macaroni and cheese. Take a bit of ham and scoop up this cheesy goodness for a delightful explosion in your mouth. Sweet Rolls We know that bread always needs to come with a meal. If anything, it is used to clean up the scraps left on the plate once the bulk of the food is gone. But with ham, you can’t use just any roll, but rather sweet rolls are the way to go. Hawaiian sweet rolls mixed with a honey-baked ham is a great taste combo. Although homemade rolls are best, you can always consider this your easiest side dish yet and buy them at the store! Now that you know what to serve with honey baked ham, all you need to do is make sure your range is up for the job. If not, Thor Kitchen has some great professional ranges to make sure your dinner is one your family will never forget. Making memories is what it is all about.
