Sides

A list of side dishes.

Bistro Salad with Warm Goat Cheese

Goat cheese salad is a classic French bistro dish that is easy to make at home. The salad combines fresh, tender lettuce with warmed goat cheese rounds. The cheese is rolled in panko (or breadcrumbs) and then heated to form an outer crunchy layer, creating goat cheese croutes. It’s topped off with […]

Crispy Baked Potato Wedges

Everyone loves these crispy baked potato wedges! These have a crisp and golden skin on the outside and are perfectly tender inside. This is a recipe that turns out perfect every time. The key…soaking the potatoes for 10 minutes to draw the starch out. Great side for grilled entrees. Crispy […]

Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

This 5-ingredient pasta salad recipe comes together in minutes and packs tons of flavor with all of the flavors of a traditional Caesar salad. Roasting the tomatoes is key to bring forward their sweetness. I like to double this salad and have lunch ready to go for the next few […]

Roasted Broccolini with Tahini Sauce and Charred Lemon

Roasting (or grilling) is the best way to cook broccolini.  The result, is crispy charred edges and a just-tender bite, the perfect texture to pair with a creamy tahini sauce. This Roasted Broccolini recipe (Yotam Ottolenghi) is a wonderful side dish eaten plain (olive oil, salt and pepper), but a […]

Crispy Cheesy Potato Stacks

Creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside, these delicious potato stacks are simple to make. The thinly sliced potatoes are piled high into muffin tins, layered between a cheesy mixture with fresh herbs and garlic. A perfect side to grilled meats. Crispy Cheesy Potato Stacks Makes approximately 8 […]

Spring Quiche with a Hash Brown Crust

If you’re looking for a delicious and beautiful Easter breakfast or brunch dish, this hash brown quiche has it all. Packed with asparagus, caramelized shallots and white cheddar, the quiche is taken to the next level with this crispy hash brown crust. Add this to your brunch buffet or serve […]

Roasted Beet Salad with Chèvre Green Goddess Dressing

Beet Salad with goat cheese (or feta) is a classic! The best beet salads are simple and only require a few ingredients. This healthy salad features superfoods: beets, roasted carrots and micro greens. A twist from combining beets and cheese is to make an herby, creamy cheese dressing. Roasted Beet Salad […]

Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Pomegranate Arils and Pecans

This festive holiday salad will let you celebrate all the flavors! Walnuts, pomegranate, pear, gorgonzola and mixed greens, all drizzled with an easy maple dijon vinaigrette! Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Pomegranate Airls and Walnuts 2 cups mixed greens 1/4 cup pomegranate arils 1/4 cup halved pecans or walnuts 2 tablespoons gorgonzola 1 pear, […]

Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

This 30 minute side will add the perfect veggie to your holiday table. A blistering 425 degrees ensures the tender sprouts will develop a nice caramelization and a crunchy charred exterior. To finish, drizzle with balsamic vinegar to create a sweet, savory flavor. Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts 1 1/2 pounds Brussels […]

Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc Cranberry Sauce

As you can see, I’ve been diving into Keller’s Ad Hoc cookbook, a great read for the home cook. This essential holiday recipe will brighten any table. It’s got that perfect combination of tart and sweet, a beautiful gingery kick and a subtle orange flavor in the background. Ad Hoc […]

Wild Mushroom Risotto

This luxurious, elegant mushroom risotto is the answer to your sides for this upcoming holiday dinner. DO NOT let the word risotto make you flip the page. You can do this. This simple, pure, unadulterated version stands up on its own, but it also makes an excellent canvas for seasonal […]

Roasted Broccoli Rabe with Crispy Shallots and Pinenuts

If you’ve never roasted broccoli rabe or Rapini, this recipe will surprise you. This powerhouse vegetable is in the mustard family and is like a turnip green with little broccoli florets. Broccoli rabe has about two times the amount of zinc as broccoli. Zinc is an overachiever when it comes to your […]

Peach Basil Chicken Salad with Crispy Prosciutto

This seasonal peach and basil chicken salad is likely to become a new end-of-summer (insert sad face) favorite! It’s filled with a tender blend of greens, sweet juicy peaches, herbed grilled chicken, mozzarella, pepitas and NOT to be omitted, crispy prosciutto!! Finish with a tangy balsamic dressing. So much deliciousness!  […]

French Potato Salad

French Potato Salad is a lighter salad made with a blend of herbs and a lemon garlic vinaigrette….and no Mayo! This rustic side dish uses red-skinned potatoes that are sliced before boiling, eliminating torn skins and broken slices. The vinaigrette, boasting mustard, garlic and lemon is tossed over the warm […]

Burrata with Charred and Raw Sugar Snap Peas

  Rut. Roe. I knew I would LOVE this combination of charred snap peas and burrata. Why…..because I made this (or a very close version) last year!!! Adding fresh herbs, lemon and a crunchy topping makes this version an ideal summer side. In my previous recipe,  the burrata was not […]

Winter Citrus and Broccoli Salad

Do you crave a healthy salad this time of year? Yep. This crispy, crunchy and raw salad will not disappoint. The base of the salad is broccoli and Tuscan kale. Broccoli offers potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer health benefits. And kale…benefits your entire body, from your bones to your heart to […]

Crispy Potato Wedges

  These crispy potato wedges are crazy easy and simply delicious. A healthier version for your French Fry craving. These wedges are baked in olive oil and slathered with garlic powder, onion powder and pepper. Baked in a 400 degree oven for approximately 55 minutes, the result…crispy on the outside […]

Herby Rhodes Rolls

  Who’s bringing the dinner rolls? My role never seems include the rolls!  I’m taking it on this time and bringing the standard dinner roll to the next level. These little yeast bombs are rolled in herby butter and then are placed on your counter to rise til double in size, […]

Twice Baked Potatoes with Caramelized Shallots

  What a festive, delicious way to present potatoes on Thanksgiving. If only 30 plus were not joining us, this would be my go-to. The creamy texture is enhanced with Havarti cheese, sour cream, milk and butter. The difference maker is the caramelized shallots. Game changer. The potatoes can be […]

Butternut Squash Turnovers

These seasonal Butternut Squash Turnovers are the perfect savory appetizer. Creamy butternut squash and goat cheese are paired with mild leeks, earthy shiitake mushrooms, garlic and thyme all enveloped in a flaky puff pastry. The buttery turnovers also make an ideal fall lunch alongside a big green salad. Butternut Squash […]

Acorn Squash with Garlic Butter and Burrata

  It’s peak acorn squash season. When you eat food that’s in season, you are typically eating produce that will be richer in nutrients. Like many winter squashes, acorn squash is chock full of  Vitamins A, B and C, potassium, magnesium and fiber. This little gourd can be prepared in many […]

Tomato and Stone-Fruit Panzanella With Burrata

Panzanella…..Tuscany’s beloved rustic bread salad. Tomatoes and peaches are at their height of the season and shine in this salad. Leftover bread with the tomato juices and vinaigrette create a perfect combination of texture and flavors. The sweet tart stone fruit pairs well with the tomatoes. Add a creamy soft […]

Thomas Keller Creamed Corn

Thomas Keller is not known for simple. However, his Ad Hoc cookbook (geared for the home cook) is definitely worth the read and compiled of recipes you can tackle. I’m not a sweet corn connoisseur but Randy on the other hand is….  BIG 2 thumbs up. This recipe pulls together in less […]

Honeydew Melon & Blackberry Salad

  Yep, it’s as easy as it looks. And a looker it is! The sweet melon and tart blackberries are a great counterpart. Place the fruit on a bed of micro greens and drizzle with a lemon vinaigrette to create a bright beautiful summer salad. Honeydew Melon & Blackberry Salad Serves 4 […]

Roasted Mixed Potatoes with Spring Herbs and Burrata

  Add these dressed up potatoes to your spring side dish repetoire. Herby. Creamy. Crunchy. Delicious. Roasted Mixed Potatoes with Spring Herbs and Burrata Serves 6 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 2 pounds mixed potatoes, chopped into similar size chunks (I used baby Idaho potatoes […]

Thai-Style Zucchini Carrot Salad

  This Thai-inspired salad combines matchstick sized carrots and zucchini  and is topped with roasted peanuts and bright seasonal herbs. The tender raw vegetables are just perfect vessels to absorb this savory, tart vinaigrette. Add more veggies and peanut butter to create this Thai Peanut & Quinoa Salad. See recipe […]

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs

We’ve officially entered deviled egg season. Basic deviled eggs are delicious but let’s put a twist on this dish AND turn them on their end. Think of your favorite salmon platter with all the fixins’. Smoked Salmon, cream cheese, red onion, capers and dill. All the flavors in a pretty […]

Mediterranean Bowl With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Power bowls. They’re a thing. The Mediterranean diet has proven to be one of the healthiest and just happens to be my #1 flavor profile. So to build a bowl, start with whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Add protein (beans, legumes, nuts, lentils or fish). Add a healthy fat, (avocado, […]

Burgundy Mushrooms

Burgundy Mushrooms, otherwise known as…..NINE HOUR* Mushrooms. Yep, there’s really no getting around it. These burgundy mushrooms take nine hours to achieve perfection, but the work involved is absolutely minimal. The mushrooms are rich and decadent and take on a meaty texture. They can stand alone as an entrée or pair […]

Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms

  You can find sautéed mushrooms along side a thick, juicy steak at a popular chop-house. Side dishes like creamed spinach, fluffy mashed potatoes, twice-baked cheesy potatoes also make an appearance on the menu but these garlicky mushrooms outshine them all. These hearty mushrooms can be served over polenta, pasta, greens, […]