Holiday Side Dishes with ALDI

The holidays are upon us, which means time to start conjuring up ideas for meal time. I personally try to maximize on taste and efficiency when it comes to preparing side dishes – things that are made with just a few ingredients and take no time at all. This year, ALDI helped me accomplish that (this post is sponsored by ALDI).

ALDI carries the products you need. No need to spend hours endlessly traipsing up and down aisles. Instead, focus on getting only a few key ingredients. Rather than having to choose amongst a variety of brands, ALDI only has the highest quality essentials. This not only means less time in the store, but also more savings. 

This year, I’m choosing a few simple sides to prepare for loved ones. 

Brussels sprouts and bacon

I love this one because it can stand alone as its own dish, or it can be used as a topping on a slice of crusty baguette. Either way is sensational!

 

Estimated prep time: 10 minutes

Total cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: ~12

What you’ll need: 

• 1 bag brussels sprouts, ends removed and sliced in half 
• 1 package Never Any! Hickory Bacon
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 Specially Selected French Baguette, sliced
• ½ cup Emporium Selection Goat Cheese Log, Plain 
• 1 tbsp Simply Nature Organic Wildflower Honey 
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp Simply Nature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Instructions:

1. On the stove top, sauté onions and brussels sprouts in olive oil. Sauté until fragrant and top with salt and pepper.
2. In a separate pan, chop the bacon into small strips and sauté until browned and crispy, ~10 minutes. Remove bacon from heat and set aside.
3. Add bacon to brussels sprouts mixture.
4. Slice baguette and heat in oven at 400F, ~5 minutes each side, until golden.
5. Assemble! Spread goat cheese on toasts and top with bacon/brussels sprouts mixture. Drizzle with honey on top.

You can also choose to have this dish on its own!

I love that the Never Any! line at ALDI has no added antibiotics, hormones, or artificial ingredients, all while maintaining its affordable price.

Roasted sweet potatoes with honey almond butter

Estimated prep time: 5 minutes 

Total cook time: 25 minutes

Serves: ~3

What you’ll need: 

• 1 package frozen Simply Nature Organic Sweet Potatoes
• ¼ cup dates, chopped
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• 2 tbsp Simply Nature Creamy Almond Butter
• 1 tsp Simply Nature Organic Wildflower Honey
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp Simply Nature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Arrange frozen Simply Nature Organic Sweet Potatoes on baking tray and cover with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 
3. Bake for 15 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and add dates and pine nuts.
5. Bake for another 10 minutes. 
6. While baking, mix almond butter and honey until well combined.
7. Remove sweet potatoes from the oven and drizzle with almond butter/honey mixture.

I love keeping a bag or two of ALDI’s Simply Nature Organic Sweet Potatoes or Butternut Squash in the freezer. The quality is unmatched with no artificial ingredients or preservatives, and it allows for easy holiday or weeknight meals. Simply remove from the freezer and combine with your favorite toppings!

Easy deviled egg

Have no time, but want to bring something impressive to the holiday table? These deviled eggs are so simple and made with ingredients you likely already have!

Estimated prep time: 15 minutes 

Total cook time: 10 minutes

Serves: ~12

Ingredients:

• 1 dozen Simply Nature Grade A Organic Cage Free Brown Eggs 
• 1 package Never Any! Hickory Bacon
• ¼ cup Burman’s Mayonnaise 
• 1 tbsp Burman’s Deli Mustard, Dijon 
• 1 tsp Simply Nature Organic Crushed Red Pepper
• Salt and pepper

Instructions: 

1. Boil water and place whole eggs in, covered ~2-3 inches. Boil for 10 minutes.
2. Remove eggs from water and place in bowl of iced water. Let cool (~5 minutes).
3. Peel eggs, slice in half and separate yolks from egg whites.
4. In a separate pan, sauté 3 strips of bacon on stove top, until brown and crumbly.
5. Place egg yolks in a separate bowl and mash until a crumble forms. Add in mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper. 
6. Fill egg whites with egg yolk mixture. 
7. Top with bacon crumbles and crushed red pepper.

The holidays are stressful enough as it is, no need to add additional time consuming tasks. I’ll be leaning on ALDI this holiday season to save time and money. I trust ALDI because only the best is sourced for their shelves. Everything about them is thoughtfully curated with the consumer in mind! Learn more about here.