Side Dish Recipes
Build-Your-Own Veggie and Grain Salad
It’s January. The weather is cold (at least it is here!) and the holiday festivities are behind us. Eating well can be a challenge when the mercury plummets, colds and flus rear their ugly heads, and warm sunshine and flip flops seem a long way off. Of course, all of this makes heavy comfort foods…
Pineapple Serrano Hummus
I grew up watching the Parade of Roses every New Year’s Day. Flowers have always been a hobby for my mom. She had a greenhouse, an undisputed green thumb, and a knack for arranging flowers in the most beautiful way. I remember being utterly amazed when she told me that all of the parade floats…
Easy Winter Fruit Salad
A straight-forward combination of fresh fruits with a little something extra to elevate the simple salad into something sublime. From the time my kids could hold a crayon, I helped them make the gifts they’d give their loved ones on Christmas morning. My hope was that amidst all the material trappings of the holiday,…
Baked Horseradish Carrots
Thanks to the easy horseradish sauce and crisp topping, even those who don’t love cooked carrots have gone back for seconds of this colorful dish. Recently, I conducted an informal poll, asking a dozen or so people what comes to mind when they think of carrots. Bunnies and celery were often mentioned, but so…
Blistered Green Beans
Cook green beans in a flash while bringing out their very best flavor with this minimalist but effective approach. Need a 10-minute side dish that tastes great and goes with practically everything? For years I steamed my green beans. Occasionally, I roasted them. For the past year or two, however, broiling has been…
Dinner (and leftovers) out of one 3-ingredient marinade
Minimal ingredients come together with flavor-packed ease in this wholesome, all-in-one meal that can be customized to taste. Effortless summer cooking at its best! So, I did what I have been strictly avoiding for a very long time. I cooked on live TV. The thought of preparing something delicious in two to three…
Southwestern Confetti Coleslaw (no mayo)
Classic, creamy coleslaw is a perennial picnic and cookout favorite. Like potato salad and baked beans, coleslaw plays a popular supporting role on any plate starring fried chicken or barbecued ribs. While I adore a thick slaw with a hearty dose of mayonnaise, many people prefer a lighter vinegar base. Smoky cumin, tangy lime and…
Jamaican Rice and Peas Recipe
Inspired by a traditional Jamaican dish, this easy, one-pot meal is loaded with plant-based protein, fiber, and flavor. Rice and beans. Who doesn’t love them? Yet, depending on where a person is from, rice and beans can mean many different things. After returning from a family trip to Puerto Rico last month, I got on…
Loaded Tex-Mex Potatoes
I have a random memory of a bitterly cold day last winter. I was standing in front of the washing machine, folding laundry. It was such a simple task, yet I was completely exhausted. Folding one more shirt or matching one more pair of socks seemed just plain impossible. As I slumped over my pile,…
Mango Pineapple Salsa
Sweet and savory with a hint of heat, this vibrant salsa adds flavorful appeal to fish, chicken, shrimp, tacos, pork, and grilled meats of all kinds. The origin of a recipe can be quite interesting. In 2015, my friend Justine asked if I would create an orange recipe to shine a light on something near…
Chopped Kale Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette (with an easy Meyer lemon substitute)
Hearty greens, protein-rich edamame and chickpeas, and a handful of other ingredients combine with a light but flavor-packed vinaigrette for a wholesome salad that’s great for meal prep. A well-rounded, plant-based meal as is, a protein topper like salmon or chicken will provide extra staying power. We often think of salads as warm weather…
Spinach Pomegranate Salad with Vanilla Vinaigrette
As satisfying as it is beautiful, this vibrant salad is worthy of a holiday table or paired with a simple protein any night of the week! When I originally shared my Autumn Salad with Nancy’s Sweet and Tangy Dressing, my friend, Christine, mentioned that she serves a similar salad with a vanilla vinaigrette. Christine said…
