Side show: Thanksgiving turkey is the star, but what about its supporting players?

MODESTO, Calif. — Come on, the turkey is the easy part.

No decisions there, past whether you'll roast it, fry it or pop it on the grill. Turkey is a given. Turkey is the star.

And the finale is pretty much planned out, too. Pumpkin pie will almost certainly close the show.

But what about the supporting players? What about all that space in between?

You have to decide what else you're going to serve at the most important dinner party of the year.

When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, the side dishes — with apologies to Tom Turkey — actually are the ones that carry the most flavor. So what you serve on the side really matters. And it was proven during a taste testing in our own Modesto Bee offices.

A few Bee home chefs cooked up their favorite recipes recently and brought them in for a side dish taste-off.

Before the tasting, however, there was the photographing in The Modesto Bee studio. And that's where the proof of the humble side dish importance was found.

The studio immediately was filled with that warm, savory and unmistakable aroma of the Thanksgiving table once a baker's dozen of delectable dishes were gathered there. And there wasn't a turkey — well, aside from a ceramic one — in sight.

All the major players were represented: stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, salads, veggies, rolls and cranberries. Some were family favorites, some were new recipes getting a tryout.

The best part: All are easy to whip up, so you can enjoy the family and friends that make up your annual day of gratitude.

Oh, and the taste-test winner? A decadent, creamy Devonshire corn.

GREEN BEANS WITH ALMONDS

Reporter Nan Austin says this is one of the easiest and most versatile side dish recipes.

Green beans, frozen, steam-in-bag, family-size

1/2 cube butter

3-4 garlic cloves

1 cup blanched slivered or sliced almonds

1 lemon

Salt to taste

For garnish: green onions, slivers of red bell pepper or dried cranberries