Host smarter, not harder. When oven space is tight this holiday, power up your countertop appliances to create one or more of these easy yet elegant dishes.
Slow Cooker
Sweet Potatoes with Candied Bacon
If you’re in search of a totable crowd-pleaser to take to Friendsgiving this year, here it is. Transport our nutmeg-scented mashed sweets in the slow cooker, then serve candied bacon twists on the side or crumbled over top. Heat purchased bacon jam (it’s a little like tomato jam) in the microwave and drizzle overall. We guarantee compliments.
Microwave
Lemon-Dijon Broccolini with Spiced Nuts and Goat Cheese
This simple and beautiful dish raises the microwave to MVP status for ease of use and total cook time—both the vibrant Broccolini and toasted spiced nuts go from microwave to platter in less than 20 minutes. A lemon-Dijon vinaigrette and goat cheese finish the dish. Our Test Kitchen claims it’s the quickest and most delicious side we’ve ever tested. MVP indeed.
Air Fryer
Fruit, Wild Rice, and Sage Stuffed Delicata
Your air fryer is essentially a mini convection oven, and you can use it to speedily roast a hearty dish like these delicata boats filled with mushrooms and wild rice. This side is also substantial enough to fill the role of main dish for any vegetarian guests.
Broccoli and cheese are a good match. For this fancy dish, we selected long, slender stalks of Broccolini (a cousin of broccoli) and a soft-ripened goat cheese, like Bûcheron, which melts when warm and resembles Brie with bloomy flavor notes.
Pressure Cooker + Air Fryer
Beet Salad with Pretzel Roll Croutons, Balsamic Currants, and Blue Cheese
This sweater-weather panzanella salad swaps in rainbow beets for the usual tomatoes and toasty brown pretzel roll croutons in place of crusty Italian bread. Steam beets in a pressure cooker on high for just 18 minutes (it makes peeling them super easy). A whole head of garlic cooks alongside the beets to flavor the balsamic dressing, and tiny vinegar-soaked currants offer a piquant burst.
Maple-Glazed Carrot Phyllo Tart
You’re going to want to keep this versatile, garlicky herbed cheese tart recipe on hand. The base is a savory cheesecake-like filling that pairs well with almost any topping. We finished this one with carrots caramelized in an air fryer and a maple-cider glaze. You can also try it topped with marinated vegetables or melted fig jam.
Countertop Appliances
We put dozens of appliances through our testing labs. Let these top picks help with holiday prep.
Hover your phone camera here to learn more about kitchen products we’ve tested and read the full reviews. BHG.com/ Recommends
photos CARSON DOWNING
food styling CHARLIE WORTHINGTON
recipes by IVY MANNING
prop styling: STEPHANIE HUNTER