Okay, I know that for holiday dinners it’s hard to break away from the tried and true accompaniments – the infamous green bean casserole topped with crispy fried onions, marshmallow-y brown sugar yams, and sage-y stuffing. I’m not saying to forget making your faves, but just suggesting that this year, maybe try something new!

Take for example, my Maple Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Sage: sliced sweet potatoes, drizzled with maple syrup, cream, a touch of fresh sage, and topped with a few bread crumbs for texture. Baked till bubbly good (recipe follows).

All the goodies for whipping up a batch of Angostura Savory Island Relish

Forget the traditional store-bought cranberry sauce this year and go fresh! Whip up an inspired Savory Island Relish recipe combining; fresh cranberries, pecans, pineapple, orange, a touch of honey, AND a few big dashes of Angostura Aromatic Bitters! That’s right – a touch of bitters adds a great layer of flavor!

Ready to process … be sure to leave some texture.

Just whiz it up in your food processor and voila – a tasty condiment to your holiday ham or turkey! #Yum #CookingWithBitters #QuickAndEasyEntertaining

The Relish is ready!

So get out of your side dish rut, and try something new for your next holiday get-together. –Kathy

Angostura Savory Island Relish
Switch things up at your next holiday dinner and serve this island inspired fresh cranberry sauce made with fresh pineapple, toasty pecans and tangy cranberries – spiced with the aromatic flavors of Angostura bitters. Great with turkey, ham, roast chicken or even in a baked yam! For a spiced version add a dash of cinnamon, or allspice.

Makes about 3 cups

2 Tbsp. ANGOSTORA® Aromatic Bitters
2 cups fresh cranberries (or frozen cranberries, defrosted)
1 orange, rinsed, ends cut off, and cut into chunks with rind
1 1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple
1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
1/2 cup pecan pieces, lightly toasted
1/3 – 1/2 cup sugar depending on how sweet you like it (or substitute 1/4 cup honey)
1/4 tsp. chili flakes (optional)
Pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse the mixture, (scraping down the sides often), until the mixture is chopped fine but still has some nice texture. Place the relish into a jar and store refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® for ANGOSTURA – www.KathyCasey.com

Maple Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Sage
Serves about 10 – 12.

8 cups peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch) sweet potatoes (about 2 1/2 – 3 pounds)

Maple Cream
3 cups cream
1/2 cup real maple syrup
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh sage leaves
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Topping
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
3 Tbsp. high-quality grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
1 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
2 tsp. finely chopped fresh sage leaves

fresh sage leaves for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 3-quart casserole with pan spray or lightly butter it. Then arrange sliced sweet potatoes in an even layer. In a large bowl whisk together the maple cream ingredients until well combined. Pour the maple cream over sweet potatoes and push them down a bit to be sure they are coated in liquid.

In a small bowl combine topping ingredients and set aside.
Bake casserole for 35 minutes and then sprinkle with topping and bake another 25 – 35 minutes or until topping is browned, potatoes are tender and liquid is thickened.

Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh sage leaves.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com