Side Dish Recipes
Roasted 2-Way Potatoes
This is the way I got my kids to like sweet potatoes: mixed with regular potatoes and cooked like steak fries. I started by sneaking just one on their plate. Having had one especially picky eater, I have a whole lot of dinnertime tricks up my sleeve! I like to think those tricks actually worked,…
Apple Quinoa Salad with Lemon, Curry, and Mint
A simple protein will turn this wholesome, flavorful, plant-based salad into a complete meal. Easy to make ahead and perfect for meal prep! Years ago, my vegetarian sister introduced me to quinoa. She first explained that, contrary to what it seems, this grain is pronounced “KEEN-wah.” She further mentioned that quinoa is popular with vegetarians because…
Roasted Butternut Squash with Feta — plus my favorite tips for roasting vegetables
This picture is of the veggies on the baking sheet for a reason. I use a few techniques to achieve roasted vegetables that are golden brown and full of flavor yet still slightly firm. And it starts with the tray! When roasting vegetables, the side touching the tray will brown first. So, as I mention…
Gorgonzola Tomato Salad
Prepare this flavorful dressing ahead and you will have a delicious salad ready in a flash. Perfect as a dip or as a salsa over grilled steak or chicken, I also like using this dressing on Grilled Romaine and Prosciutto Salads. The use of Greek yogurt allows for a thick, delicious option to your favorite…
Creamed Rainbow Chard and Kale with Prosciutto
When I was a kid, I didn’t much care for dark, leafy greens. I viewed kale as a bitter garnish on a dinner plate when we went out to a nice restaurant. Swiss chard hadn’t quite entered the culinary scene and spinach…well…it was fine. As I grew older and heard repeatedly about the health benefits…
Honey Ginger Tomato Salad
Don’t you love it when a friend shares a favorite recipe, or when you come across an idea for a flavor combination that you had never before thought of? Well, Beth, a friend of The Fountain Avenue Kitchen, did both! The pairing of honey and ginger with the sweet tomato grapes is truly delicious, and…
Baked Tomatoes with Mozzarella and Pesto
This is so easy, it hardly qualifies as a recipe. It is so tasty, however, that I thought I should mention it! These tomatoes are a novel twist on the traditional tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad and are another wonderful use for Asiago Pesto Spread. You may certainly substitute your favorite pesto, purchased or…
Balsamic Dijon Grilled Vegetables
In my book, grilled veggies are fabulous for so many reasons. First and foremost, they taste great. But also, they are easy to prepare and need nothing more than a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper. However, they can be fancied up with any number of marinades and herbs. Vegetables can be grilled in…
Kale and Boursin-Stuffed Grilled Portobellos
Mushrooms were never something I ate a lot of growing up, but my husband has always adored them. Since marrying him a few years back (almost 18 to be precise!), I have grown to appreciate the flavor and texture of a wide variety of mushrooms. They are so meaty and satisfying, and their earthy flavor…
Sautéed Minted Peas
A few fresh ingredients make sweet peas shine in this versatile side dish that takes less than five minutes to prepare. Fresh peas in the summer are such a treat. Tossed into salads and pasta dishes, they offer a hint of sweetness and color. Yet they are perfect all by themselves too. This…
Curried Couscous Salad (with Gluten-Free Options)
This versatile, flavor-packed salad can be made in advance and pairs beautifully with a wide range of proteins. It’s hearty enough to be the centerpiece of a vegetarian meal, and an easy adaptation provides an excellent gluten-free alternative. Curried couscous salad has been one of my go-to summer entertaining recipes for…
BLT Ranch Pasta Salad
Classic flavors come together with ease in this BLT pasta salad that’s equally perfect for family meals, packed lunches, and casual entertaining. Add grilled or rotisserie chicken for a well-rounded meal. To celebrate my older son’s 14th birthday, we had a group of his friends over for a cookout. He chose hamburgers and hot…
