Take your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes from boring to brilliant with these quick and easy ingredient upgrades

This corn bread is on the dry side  ideal for our dressing but not for eating on its own.

Creaminess is added to buttery Yukon Golds with just olive oil and potato water.

Here, quickly sautéed greens get some spice and a kick of heat (thanks to red-pepper flakes).

By mixing butter, shallots, fresh herbs, and lemon juice together right in the serving bowl, you get an instant dressing on contact with hot haricots verts that you toss in at the last minute. Nothing could be simpler, or more packed with flavor....

Fresh radishes add color and crunch to this slightly sweet vinaigrette-based slaw.

Truffles add a flavorful woodsy note, but if you make this French-influenced celery-root purée without them, it will still be delicious.

Shiro miso imparts a nutty, slightly sweet flavor.

Some miso varieties are quite salty, but the Saikyo shiro misocalled for in this sauce has a sweet, caramel-like taste.