Drawing inspiration from one of her mother’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes, Sara Bradley has made cranberry casserole a staple on her own table. The classic side, which is something like an apple crisp, also makes seasonal appearances on the menu at Freight House, Bradley’s Southern-inspired restaurant and bourbon bar in Paducah, Kentucky.
Bradley notes that the recipe is safe for any gluten-free guests at your holiday table (just remember to use gluten-free oats) and that the pecans can be left out to accommodate nut sensitivities. For a tart and firm baking apple, her top pick is Arkansas Black, with Granny Smith as a backup.
A final tip? After a long afternoon of eating, the leftovers can be saved to warm up later with a scoop of ice cream. “But if you want to get really crazy? Drizzle a little of your turkey gravy on there—you’ll thank me later,” Bradley says.
