Crunchy Green Beans with Hazelnuts, Fried Garlic and a Creamy Sherry Vinaigrette PLUS the best make-ahead mashed potatoes...

No you didn't lose track of the days, this should have been out on Wednesday but

this week I was slammed with something very exciting that as my subscribers you are the first to know about! Drumroll…….

This week, I filmed the advertisement for my upcoming digital course on becoming a successful Private Chef! Although we’re still a few months away from the official release, having the ad complete feels like an incredible milestone—something I’ve been dreaming about for so long finally coming to life. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer! Here are a few snapshots from the shoot:

This week’s issue is running a bit late, but in the spirit of balance, I decided to release next week’s issue a little early. See? One late, one early—everything evens out in the grand universe of Substack, right? With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to make sure you had my recipe for the BEST make-ahead mashed potatoes in plenty of time to prep for the big day.

But before we dive into those dreamy potatoes, let’s talk about the green beans...

It seems there’s an emerging theme in my newsletter this month: taking the traditional staples of the holiday table and giving them a bit of a twist. Last week, it was my Roasted Garnet Yam Soufflé, and this week, it’s Crunchy Green Beans with Hazelnuts, Fried Garlic, and Creamy Sherry Vinaigrette. While I have a soft spot for classic green bean casserole, let’s face it—amid the rich and indulgent lineup of Thanksgiving dishes, it often fades into the background. So, why not let the green beans shine as a vibrant, unexpected respite on the plate?

This dish is a breath of fresh air between all the stuffing, gravy, and mashed potatoes. Served at room temperature (a win for the host juggling oven space!), these green beans are bright, crunchy, and tangy—a delightful palate cleanser in the midst of the holiday feast.

The “crunchy” factor comes in layers: first from the