NEED MEAL HELP - sides

Darcy Baldwin

Just a Scrapper
Okay - Meg and I were talking about meal planning - and I'm in desperate need of help. I've gotten so out of the habit after being so good for so long, and we're buckling down again.

I'm always great with main dishes, but what I really stink at is sides.

We try no to cook from a box (so rice a roni from a box, etc.). But other than just steaming or roasting some veg, making quinoa, I'm at a loss, and need inspiration.

What are your families favorite sides?
 
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During the summer we eat a lot of bean salads or grain salads. One of our faves is wheatberry salad with fresh tomatoes, scallions, colored pepper, basil, olive oil, and some balsamic. I also have a rice salad that we both love. We eat a lot of quinoa in our salads as well as bulgur cracked wheat.

We don't eat meat, so we tend to do a lot of sides as a meal. Lots of grilled veggies and different kinds of salads, such as fennel and orange salad or arugula salad with berries and nuts - stuff like that.
 
Marie - I wish I could get Russ to eat salad like that as a main meal. He is a huge carinvore, and feels like he hasn't eaten if there isn't meat in his meal. But I can totally see me branching out and and making those as side dishes to add. They sound yummy.

I've been pretty basic with my quinoa so far - but that salad sounds amazing..and with some crumbled feta added in!
 
Darcy - when DH was alive he HAD to have meat too. I would make all the stuff I wanted and then throw a slab of meat on the grill for him and he'd eat my sides with the meat :D If you want some recipes let me know, I'd be happy to copy and paste some for you :)
 
We are big veggie eaters here. Potatoes are important too. My new fav is roasting potatoes. (red potatoes are my fav)

Cut up red potatoes (quartered) and toss in olive oil.

Recipe 1 - sprinkle some dry ranch seasoning over them.

Recipe 2 - sprinkle kosher salt, rosemary seasoning mix (I use pampered chef mix) over them. If you want to have a little more with this....... I add chopped onion and chopped green and red bell pepper with them. YUMMY

Bake on baking sheet (with edges) at 375-400. Turn after about 10 minutes. Total bake time is 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are cooked through. :)

I also have a side dishes pin on my pinterest board that might be helpful. :)
 
Darcy - when DH was alive he HAD to have meat too. I would make all the stuff I wanted and then throw a slab of meat on the grill for him and he'd eat my sides with the meat :D If you want some recipes let me know, I'd be happy to copy and paste some for you :)

yes, please :D
 
We are big veggie eaters here. Potatoes are important too. My new fav is roasting potatoes. (red potatoes are my fav)


I also have a side dishes pin on my pinterest board that might be helpful. :)

That's one of our staples, Tara - but I don't make it in the summer - too hot in our kitchen!

I'm trying to get in to sneak a peek at yours, but Pinterest is a butt this morning.
 
We sometimes roast some mixed (frozen) veggies in the oven with spices...I'd have to ask my mom what spices she uses, but it tastes really good :)
 
Hmm... I have a great recipe for raw vegetable salad. Sooo yummy for summer! It makes a big batch so we eat it for days.

But, honestly, I'm not into time-consuming sides. I usually make something "complicated" for the main dish and the sides are quickies... otherwise I'd never find time to scrap. ;) lol. I do a lot of tossed salads, steamed jasmine rice, cous-cous, baked potatoes, steamed fresh broccoli, or roast whatever veggies I have on hand in the oven w/ EVOO and s&p. I'm a huge sweet tooth so I also like some fresh fruit or applesauce on the table... freshly made when I feel super domesticated or in the form of a cranberry/apple crisp in the cooler months.
 
We love casseroles too........like green bean casserole, corn casserole, ect. I can get you those recipes if you like.

Also, we love salads......regular, caesar, Asian cabbage salad (so good), cole slaw, ect.
 
I'm making notes of these suggestions too! Keep them coming! They all sound yummy!

Most of mine are on Pinterest and it doesn't seem to load right now. But I've posted few on FB. Cucumber with red onion has been a big hit at our home! Then, there is broiled broccoli. There is another one with zucchini, onions, potatoes... But these two need baking/broiling, so maybe not be good for next few months.
 
our favorite side is cauliflower with a mayo/mustard sauce and topped with cheddar cheese.

Preheat oven to 350 degree. Steam cauliflower, while cauliflower is steaming mix mayonaisse and mustard in a bowl (i think i do about 1/2 cup mayo to a couple of tablespoons of yellow mustard), mix steamed cauliflower and mayo/mustard sauce together in a baking dish and top with shredded cheddar cheese, bake uncovered until cheese is melted. So good!

You can also do this entire dish in the microwave if you don't want to turn the oven on.
 
Oh, I forgot another fave is BROCCOLI SALAD! Cheyanne would eat this every single day if it was in the fridge.

I am headed out to her physical therapy appointment then she has an all-star tourney game at 5 so I won't be home until after 8 tonight. I'll copy and paste recipes tonight while I'm unwinding and having my computer time before bed ;)
 
Here are a few recipes we love.....

Potato Casserole

2 pkgs of hash browns
1/2 c melted butter
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp minced onion
1 can cream of chicken
10 oz sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp pepper

Mix all ingredients and put in buttered 9x15 casserole dish. Mix 1/4 cup of butter with crushed corn flakes. Place on top of potato mixture. Bake 45-60 minutes at 350.


Corn Casserole

1 stick of butter (melted)
1 can cream style corn
1 can whole corn (drained)
8 oz sour cream
1 box jiffy cornbread mix

Mix all ingredients together and put in small casserole dish. Back for 1 hour at 350.


Cabbage Salad

Approx 6 cups of shredded cabbage
1 package romen noodles (I use chicken flavor), uncooked and crumbled
4 green onion, chopped
1/2 cups sunflowers seeds (no shell)
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup oil (I use canola oil)
3 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Mix cabbage, onion, sunflower seeds, almonds and dry noodles.
Mix in separate bowl....oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper and half of seasoning packet from noodles.
Pour oil mixture over cabbage mixture just before serving.

Broccoli and Raisin Salad

2 heads broccoli (chopped)
10-15 strips of bacon (cook and crumble)
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup red onion (diced)
1 cup mayo
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp vinegar

Mix all together in bowl and serve. :)
 
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We like pasta salad, Szechwan asparagus (a little spicy but sooooo good), potato casserole, grilled veggies (yellow squash, onion, and zucchini), potatoes au gratin, sweet potato casserole, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, squash casserole (this is really good) If anyone wants the recipe I'll share:)

We have been venturing more into things we have never made at home like the Szechwan asparagus. We tried this at PF Changs and liked it...so we found a recipe and weighed in. So glad we did! Can't wait to get some more ideas from here!!
 
I make a huge batch of Jasmine rice or Brown rice early in the week. I make a lot of meat, veggies and sauce dishes during the week (let's me reduce the meat and increase the veggies without anyone realizing it.) We eat the rice plain with a little butter and salt, or I make fried rice (just saute with chopped onion, carrot, mushrooms, a little egg, soy sauce and I'm done), or like tonight we are having the Jasmine rice mixed with fresh lime juice and cilantro to eat with Shrimp Tacos.

Fruit -
I keep canned Mandarin oranges and Tropic Fruit salad in the cupboard.
Fresh - Strawberries plain or mixed with honey and little fresh mint. Apple slices with a little light vanilla yogurt to dip in, cantelope, watermelon, sliced fresh peaches, etc.

Canned foods -
Black beans (I sometimes do dried beans in the crockpot with a ham hock. When I do I make a huge batch and freeze in smaller batches).
Black beans (drained), corn (drained), red onion diced, lime juice, garlic and cilantro - serve cold.
Ranch Style (brand) pinto beans
Corn - the only canned veggie we eat.
Frozen - french fries (I get a different style each week) When I do steak fries I bake and then add a little 2% cheese and diced turkey bacon for a treat.
Sweet potato fries
Toastones (In the Goya section in the freezer - they are green plantains that you fry. I serve with a little ff sour cream and/or salsa)
Frozen veggie stir fry mixes
Onion rings
BBQ Beans (Bush's)
Cheesey hashbrowns - just cook frozen hasbrowns in pan and then at the end add salt, pepper, garlic powder and shredded cheddar.
Broccoli and cheese by Birdseye (I get a big bag and then prepare in smaller portions - yummy over baked potatoes too!)

Potatoes -
Mashed potatoes
Baked potatoes with different toppings (I make extra and refrigerate and then dice them up and pan fry for a side later in the week)
Oven roasted potatoes (either tossed with olive oil, rosemary and s/p OR olive oil and onion soup mix)
I'd make scallop potatoes if my family would eat them. :)
Double baked potatoes - let me know if you want the recipe it's a little spicy (horseradish)
Sweet Potatoes - just baked and served with butter and cinnamon for those that like that.

Veggies -
I just buy what looks fresh but my family only eats a small variety.
Steamed baby carrots tossed with butter and brown sugar or honey and brownsugar
Oven baked zucchini fries (dip in egg white, panko crumbs mixed with parmesean cheese and bake)
Japanese zucchini - zucchini spears steam and then tossed with soy sauce and sesame seeds
Corn on the cob
Fresh spinach sauteed in olive oil and minced garlic and then season with kosher salt

Salads -
Basic garden salad - I just put the veggies on top so that everyone can pick out the ones they eat vs. the ones they don't
Broccoli Slaw
Couscous tabbouleh (sp?) Couscous mixed with chopped veggies (zucchini, summer squash, tomatoes, cukes, red onion) and a whole bunch of parsley chopped. Then I make a lemon juice, garlic, olive oil dressing and stir together.
Pasta salad - make a large batch and have some for lunch one day. :)
Cole slaw - I'm usually lazy and just buy it from the deli.
Hearts of Palm Salad - Hearts of palm, fresh baby spinach, red onion, roasted red peppers, salami (if we have guests otherwise I leave it out). Toss with some pre-made balsamic vinaigrette.

I occasionally will make home made mac and cheese, but we usually have Velveeta 2% shells and cheese.

I also like to try to find recipes for good sides we have at restaurants. Especially salads we have at fancy buffets at Disney or in Vegas.


I find it easier to take time one day a week and slice/chop my veggies and keep them in the fridge so it's easy to just toss together a salad for dinner. The kids or DH can even do it if I'm not home or need help.
 
I almost always do an entree, starch side (my family evidently needs carbs), and a veggie and just mix/match all week.

for the starchy side I alternate a pasta, potato, and rice all prepared diff ways (so like we don't have mashed potatoes 3 times a week, etc)

For veggies I buy the steamable bags or frozen bags to stovetop cook. I do buy can beans unless I plan on making a few meals with beans then I'll cook a pot of them from dry beans. If DH is grilling I'll have him throw corn, asparagus, or zucchini on the grill and we'll have those as a veggie with a potato and steak or something.
 
I'm trying to do a lot more salad. I found a great vegetarian ceasar salad dressing that I am now scheduling to do with all my pasta dishes. I'm also trying to do more chopped veggie type salads (mexican jicama salad, 3 bean, cauliflower, etc...) With mexi I always do cilantro rice and black beans. Others I serve: baked beans, rice pilafs in my rice cooker, twice baked potatoes, green beans with some awesome spices on it.

I do lots of menu planning, but have always winged sides. But that was driving me nuts. Last month when I worked with the "Once a Month Mom" freezer menu, I decided for each main dish I froze, I was going to plan to serve it wath specific sides. So when I planned my freezer cooking I planned the sides too. THen I could incorparate some dishes I don't ever think to make, but want to try. You know those ones we've all saved on pinterest! So with my veggie burgers in July, I'm going to make a new pesto potato salad!
 
Cheesy Cauliflower is a fav here. Just boil the cauliflower until soft. Drain and set aside. Then I make a simple milk, cheese sauce and use flour to thicken it a little. Then I mix in the cauliflower. yum!
 
couscous with basil, mint and feta- served cold
broccoli/romaine salad with balsamic dressing
grilled asparagus
grilled scallop potatoes
orzo, feta and shrimp salad-served cold
rice pilaf

My family had never liked sides from a box so we pull things together that are pretty simple to make. As a bonus during the TX summer, I use the grill to cook sides as much as possible.
 
Okay - Meg and I were talking about meal planning - and I'm in desperate need of help. I've gotten so out of the habit after being so good for so long, and we're buckling down again.

I'm always great with main dishes, but what I really stink at is sides.

We try no to cook from a box (so rice a roni from a box, etc.). But other than just steaming or roasting some veg, making quinoa, I'm at a loss, and need inspiration.

What are your families favorite sides?

We're much better at making good side dishes in the summer because of the farmer's markets and produce stands. We like to grill a lot, so DH will grill red peppers, onions, mushrooms, what have you in foil, with some seasonings. We also grill corn, zucchini, squash, carrots, etc. Even peaches! (Good with some balsamic!) For variety, it's usually just a matter of what we season with. Also, sometimes we just go to the produce stand, buy some veggies, clean 'em up and serve 'em fresh!

We actually really love some of Martha Stewart's recipes:
http://www.marthastewart.com/275645/60-summer-side-dishes/@center/276964/60-days-summer
http://www.marthastewart.com/274928/quick-vegetable-side-dishecipes/@center/276948/dinner-tonight#/
 
I have deal with texture issues in my family so that limits my veggie sides. Pretty much they have to be raw & crunchy or so soft they could be pureed. No in between texture will do. That rules out anything canned and anything frozen but corn, edamame, peas & lima beans So in the winter I roast everything & in the summer I serve everything raw.

I can grill beets (sliced thin, they sort of dry out while grilling & get crisp) & corn. They also like asparagus brushed with BBQ sauce done on the grill. Though the texture issue comes up with it sometimes depending on how long it cooked.

We do side salads, raw veggie platters with a random mix of carrots, broccoli, edamame beans & sometimes cauliflower, cucumbers or red pepper slices. We sometimes do one raw veggie side & one fruit side. I make a zucchini frittata for supper one night with a salad & we have the leftovers as a side dish the next night.

They also like fritters made from corn, zucchini, carrots (steamed first), broccoli & sweet potatoes (steamed)
 
Baked potatoes are my favorite side because they're easy and filling. i cannot STAND to stand over a stove. I wash them and put them in foil in bulk on one day a week, I'll do a dozen or so, then just throw them in the oven an hour before dinner needs ready.

And I make this side in bulk too. It's amazing.

mushroom barley
 
Ok Darcy - here are some of our faves:

BROCCOLI SALAD
1 head broccoli, chopped (but not pulverized!)
4 slices vegetarian bacon, cooked and crumbled (of course you can use the real stuff ;))
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries (or golden raisins)
3/4 Mayo product of your choice
2 Tbs. white vinegar
1.5 tsp honey
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
salt and pepper to taste

Whisk mayo, vinegar, honey, and salt and pepper in bowl. Add broccoli, bacon, onion, and dried cranberries/raisins. Chill. Top with sunflower seeds right before serving.

I don't really have a recipe for the wheatberry salad, but here goes:

WHEATBERRY SALAD
1 cup dry wheatberries, cooked (just add to a pot of boiling water and cook until tender and chewy then drain)
1 cup tomato, chopped (any kind of tomato works and you can use cherry, grape, pear, sungold, etc.)
2 scallions, chopped (white and light green parts)
1 large clove garlic, chopped
1/2 cup colored bell pepper, chopped
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
fresh basil (you can try other herbs that your family likes too, we're just basil freaks)
mozzarella balls (or in your case feta ;))

Cook wheatberries and cool. Add all the other chopped stuff. Stir to mix. Add the oil and vinegar to taste - I probably use about 2 tablespoons of the oil and 1 tablespoon of the vinegar. If you like a wetter salad add more or use more oil then vinegar if you aren't fans of a lot of vinegar, etc. Season with salt and pepper. Chill.

QUINOA PILAF
2 tsp. oil
1/2 red bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 cup water
1 cup broth (chicken or vegetable)
salt and pepper
2 scallions
2 Tbs. sesame seeds

Heat oil. Add bell pepper and garlic. Cook 1 minute. Add quinoa. Cook 2 minutes. Add liquids, salt, and pepper. Boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer 12 minutes. Add scallions and sesame seeds.

CURRIED CHICKPEAS
1 Tbs olive oil
1/2 small onion, sliced thin
2 cloves minced garlic
1.5 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15 oz. can chickpeas
1 large carrot, sliced thin
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cumin
dash cayenne pepper
1 tsp honey

Heat oil in skillet. Add onion and garlic and saute 2 minutes. Stir in chickpeas, carrot, spices, honey, and 1 cup water. Cover and simmer 2 minutes.

BLACK BEAN, RICE, AND CORN SALAD
1/2 cup water
1 tsp salt
1/4 brown rice
3 Tbs lime juice
1 Tbs olive oil
black pepper
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 cup cooked black beans
1/2 cup corn kernels
2 Tbs chopped parsley

Cook rice. Add rest of ingredients. Toss. Let stand 15 minutes or until cool.

BULGUR WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES
1 cup bulgur wheat
2 cups peeled cubed cucumber
1 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions
1 cup finely chopped parsley
1 tsp grated lemon rind
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Place bulgur into a large bowl and cover with 2 cups boiling water. Cover and let stand 30 minutes. Fluff with fork. Add remaining ingredients and toss gently to combine.

ASIAN SLAW
1 head napa cabbage, shredded
2 large carrots, shredded
1 bell pepper (any color), sliced thin
2 Tbs peanuts roughly chopped
Combine all these in a bowl.

Dressing: 1.5 tsp olive oil, 1.5 tsp sesame oil, 1 Tbs seasoned rice vinegar, 2 tsp soy sauce, juice of 1 lime, 1/2 tsp sugar (I use evaporated cane juice instead of white sugar). If you like a bit of heat you can add some red pepper flakes to taste. Pour over slaw and toss. Top with peanuts.

TWO-RICE SALAD WITH ALMONDS (I cook big batches of rice on my days off and freeze it in 2 cup baggies. Easy to grab out of the freezer in the morning to make salads or fried rice at night)
1.5 cups uncooked brown rice (can use quick cooking if you like)
1 cup uncooked wild rice
10 ounces fresh or frozen peas
1/2 cup scallions (green and white parts), sliced thin
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 to 1/3 cup oil (sunflower, canola, safflower)
1/4 cup tarragon vinegar (or you can use 1/4 white vinegar with some chopped fresh tarragon or dried tarragon)
2 Tbs dijon mustard
salt to taste
1 Tbs freshly grated ginger root
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
2/3 cups sliced almonds, toasted

Cook rices per directions. Combine in a large bowl and let cool. Add peas, scallions, and red pepper. In a small bowl whisk together oil, vinegar, mustard, ginger, salt,and black pepper. Stir into rice mixture and add almonds and toss well.
 
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I have trouble with sides, too, since they have to be GF. I don't like plain white rice, but DH and DD do, so sometimes I will make that for them. DH doesn't eat vegetables, but I will sometimes just make frozen veggies for DD and me. We mostly get stuck with potato sides. There is one brand of instant mashed potatoes that is GF, and there is one flavor of Kroger boxed potatoes that is GF, so I do that a lot. Otherwise, I do baked, mashed, roasted, etc. potatoes.

The last thing I feel like doing after working all day is cook, so sometimes we just go without a side.

I think I'm going to try to incorporate some of these sides into our rotation, especially if I can make them ahead of time, and see what happens. :)
 
Thanks for all these great recipes and links! :)

I'm probably weird, but my meals have to consist of three things; the main dish, the side and the veggie. I find sides especially difficult since I've been dieting so we usually have an extra veggie as our side. I've also been using a lot of fresh fruit as a side, especially watermelon, but I usually stick with a rotation of meals that we like and I already know the points for.

Favorites for the summer are asparagus and red peppers, grilled corn on the cob, spicy sweet potato fries, cottage cheese with fresh sliced peaches, a yellow squash, cucumber and tomato salad, roasted brussel sprouts, and pan fried green beans. I will also make other veggies throughout the week that are opposite colors of the first one. Like with green beans I will make carrots, but not peas. How crazy is that?

I use a olive oil spray for all the cooking these days, so that helps with the calories. I also use a lot of spices, herbs and fresh lemon juice on my veggies to give them a bright flavor.

Since I eat salad everyday for lunch, I don't use it as a side much, but I will use it as a main dish once a week and make a taco salad that is full of leftover roasted corn that I sliced off the cob, black beans, tomatoes, alvocado, black olives and some chopped pepper. A lot of times I will use left over chicken that I shred and cook in some mexican seasoning for the meat or some ground turkey. I use fat free dressing on it, but the rest of the family loads on the ranch. I will also make up some cheese quesidillas triangles as the side. This is my fast, left over meal and my family loves it. Sorry I got totally off the side dish topic there. :o
 
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