Put a fresh spin on traditional holiday sides

For cheese bechamel: Melt butter in a medium sized sauce pan. Add flour and stir over moderate heat for approximately 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and continue to stir and cook Add salt, white pepper. Add both cheeses until they melt and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Chill and reserve.

For mac and cheese: In a large soup pot, melt butter and olive oil over high heat. Add rosemary, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Add cooked pasta, bechamel and allow to melt, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add bacon, veggies and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Add cheeses, mix, and allow to melt. Taste and adjust seasoning. If too thick, add a little milk or more bechamel. Pour into rustic serving vessel and completely cover with toasted bread crumbs. Garnish with green onions and serve.

Preheat oven to broil. Toss brussel sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and leave in a large mixing bowl. Place brussel sprouts, cut side up, on a large baking sheet. Place under the broiler until they start to "blacken" or start to look caramalized. Once they start to blacken, stir around the pan. They should be tender but still have a little bit of bite to them (not mushy). This can be done ahead of time.

In a medium size rondeau or braising pan, melt butter over high heat until it starts to turn golden brown. Add sage and cook for 15 seconds. Add salt, pepper, crushed red pepper and then the brussel sprouts and toss in butter and sage mixture until they start to get hot. You can add 1/2 cup of water to speed process up a bit. Once hot, add walnuts and kumquats. Toss, taste for seasoning, adjust, and serve.

Preheat oven to broil. Toss cauliflower and olive oil in a large bowl. Add, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper and rosemary. Toss again. (Save the bowl for later use)

Place cauliflower on a large baking sheet and place in oven under the broiler. Allow to cook, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower starts to turn golden brown and becomes tender but with still a little bite to it. Remove from oven, place cauliflower back in the mixing bowl and add the melted butter. Toss together.

Add parmigiano and bread crumbs to cauliflower, toss to combine. Place the cauliflower back on the sheet pan and place back in the oven until the cheese melts and the bread crumbs begin to get a little more golden brown and toasted. Remove from oven, place in a serving vessel, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve.