Side Dish Recipes

Jeweled Salad

This stunning salad adds fresh flavor and visual appeal to weeknight dinners and holiday meals alike. And while the recipe is delightful as is, there are many ways to customize depending on what you like and have on hand.  Any meal can benefit from the crisp crunch and visual appeal of a good salad. Perhaps…

Make-Ahead Baked Mashed Potatoes

This flexible, make-ahead mashed potato recipe is a sure-fire hit on a holiday table. You can even freeze it before baking, and the Parmesan crust will not disappoint! Even though my job is all about cooking, I rely on make-ahead dishes as much as the next person. Ironically, aspects of The Fountain Avenue Kitchen often…

From the Recipe Box: Edition 3!

In this recurring series, I dig into my decades-old recipe boxes and share three tried-and-true recipes, which after over a dozen years, STILL haven’t made it to the blog. A little different from my usual posts, this is more like an old-fashioned recipe swap! The latest edition of From the Recipe Box is seasonal, practical,…

Fall Slaw 

A bag of slaw mix offers a convenient shortcut in this crisp, wholesome, seasonal salad. The easy vinaigrette is loaded with flavor and can be used in a variety of other salads. Not many recipes have extended runs on the weekly dinner rotation in our house. The continual need to develop new recipes means the…

Pickle Sushi

With just three basic ingredients (and no raw fish!) pickle sushi makes a delicious snack, appetizer, or lunch box addition. A fun kitchen project for kids too! When teaching kids cooking classes, I’ve found it helpful to start with recipes that are easy to pull off but offer a little wow factor. My goal is…

Blueberry Lemon Cornbread

This delightful twist on the usual cornbread comes together quickly with pantry ingredients and fresh or frozen blueberries. An easy tip ensures leftovers are never dry—making them perfect for breakfast! Cornbread has long been popular in our house. Partial proof of this statement is evidenced in the multiple cornbread and muffin recipes already on this…

Confetti Salad

A big bowl of this colorful salad comes together easily and is perfect for backyard barbecues, potlucks, and at-the-ready meals throughout the week! A fresh, colorful addition to a backyard barbecue or potluck, this vibrant salad is equally well suited to packed lunches and speedy dinners. The recipe has many attributes: filling fiber, plant-based protein,…

Small Batch Refrigerator Pickles

Quick Pickled Vegetables are easy to make with almost any vegetable and are a practical way to use the odds and ends in your crisper drawer. The tangy, crisp bites are great for snacking and will elevate salads, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, burgers, burrito-type bowls, stir fries, and more.  Pickling can be a very simple process.…

DIY Coleslaw Mix

A bag of coleslaw mix offers a convenient shortcut, but for fresher results and cost savings, you can do it yourself in minutes! Below I share my favorite ratios, the quickest way to make consistent shreds, and a few tips for truly stunning salads.  Cabbage is economical, widely available throughout the year, and keeps in…

Best Grilled Caesar Salads

Cool, crisp romaine is quickly seared and then brushed with a classic, creamy Caesar dressing for salad that is sure to become a family and entertaining favorite. For a complete meal, grill salmon, shrimp, chicken, or steak to serve alongside. This is a recipe I lean on when I want a meal that feels effortless…

Coconut Rice

Light, fluffy, and delightfully fragrant, coconut rice is a cinch to make and offers a delicious upgrade to curries, stir fries, salmon, and more. Coconut rice offers a quick and easy upgrade to a range of cuisines, and the process is not that much different than making a pot of basic white rice. A few…

Classic Wedge Salad

Crisp, cold, and loaded with flavor, a well-constructed wedge salad complements virtually any meal – and can be the meal with the addition of a favorite protein. If I could count the number of times Jack has ordered a wedge salad at a restaurant, it would be an impressive number. Serving this salad at home…

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