Category: Side Dishes

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Easy Syracuse Salt Potatoes

Syracuse salt potatoes’ creamy interior is a delicious addition to any meal. The salt doesn’t penetrate the skin but leaves a nicely seasoned crust on the skin.

Syracuse Salt Potatoes

Syracuse Salt Potatoes

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Course Side Dish
Servings 4
Calories 277 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs new potatoes
  • 4 cups water (or enough to cover potatoes)
  • 1 cup ` salt
  • Fresh parsley, optional

Instructions
 

  • Wash the potatoes and set them aside.
  • Pour the water into a pan on the stop top.  Add salt and heat over high heat stirring constantly until the dissolves and the water becomes clear again.
  • Carefully add potatoes and cover the pan.  
  • Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
  • Drain the water from the pan, leaving the potatoes in the pan.  Recover the pan and let potatoes sit, undisturbed until the water has evaporated from the skins, leaving a fine layer of salt.
  • Melt the butter and drizzle over the potatoes before serving.  Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.
  • Hack:  Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keyword easy, healthy, potatoes, salt, side dish, vegetarian

Potatoes are considered “empty calories” by many but nothing could be further from the truth!

Suggestion:  Use leftover potatoes to make crispy smashed potatoes!

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Healthy Vegan Spicy Brown Rice

This spicy brown rice is sure to give your meal a kick-start!  It pairs nicely with beans, beef or any other hearty meal!

Spicy Brown Rice

Spicy Brown Rice

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Course Side Dish
Servings 4
Calories 162 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups brown rice
  • 2¾ cups vegetable stock
  • ¾ tsp  turmeric
  • ¾ tsp paprika
  • ⅓ tsp cumin
  • ¾ tsp crushed red pepper
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in a rice cooker and cook on the “brown rice” setting.  
  • If you prefer to cook this on the stovetop, combine all ingredients in a saucepan.  Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for about 45 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed.  
  • Hack: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in a tightly sealed container for up to 12 months.
Keyword brown rice, healthy, high fiber, rice cooker, rice dish, side dish, spicy, vegan, vegetarian

Did you know?  While brown and white rice contains about the same number of carbs, brown rice offsets that number with a good dose of fiber and many other nutritional benefits!

Suggestion:  Serve this rice with Red Bean Casserole!

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Oven Roasted Orange Glazed Carrots

Orange glazed carrots are a wonderful recipe that the whole family will enjoy. It’s fast and easy to prepare, low calorie, healthy and delicious!

Orange Glazed Carrots

Orange Glazed Carrots

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Course Side Dish
Servings 4
Calories 166 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb carrots
  • 1 tbls olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp ground ginger

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400℉.  Line a 10”x13” baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Scrub carrots and peel, if desired.  Cut into ¼“ rounds.  Lay over the top of the parchment paper, and drizzle with olive oi., Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.  Toss to coat and spread evenly.
  • Using a microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, orange juice, honey and ginger. Heat in the microwave until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Pour glaze mixture over carrots and cover the pan with aluminum foil.  Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Remove foil and continue to bake for 10-15 minutes or until carrots are browned and cooked to the desired softness.  Recover the pan if the carrots begin to get too brown.  
  • Hack: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Hack: Frozen carrots can be used in this recipe.
Keyword carrots, easy, fast and easy, healthy, low calorie, low carb, orange juice, oven roasted, quick and easy, side dish, vegetable, vegetarian

Did you know? Carrots are rich in nutrients that promote your health!

Suggestion:  Serve these with teriyaki marinated pork chops for a super fast and easy meal!

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Sweet Potato Apple Butter Casserole

Sweet potato apple butter casserole combines the delightful tastes of fall in a hearty dish that’s easy to assemble and cook. It’s delicious any time of year!

Sweet Potato Apple Butter Casserole

Sweet Potato Apple Butter Casserole

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Course Side Dish
Servings 8
Calories 325 kcal

Ingredients
  

Sweet Potatoes:

  • 2 lbs sweet potatoes
  • ¾ cup old fashioned apple butter
  • ¼ cup butter, melted (½ stick)
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt

Topping:

  • ¾ cup pecans
  • ½ cup dates
  • ¼ cup almond flour
  • 2 tsp butter, melted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425℉  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay whole sweet potatoes in a single layer.  Pierce each potato several times with a fork.
  • Bake potatoes for 40-60 minutes (depending on size) until they are puffed and fork-tender.  Remove from oven.  Allow to cool slightly and then remove potatoes from their skins.
  • Turn oven back to 350℉.  Coat 1½ quart casserole (or 8” square pan) with cooking spray.
  • Place apple butter, ¼ cup of melted butter, eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a mixing bowl.  Combine with an electric mixer or whisk.  Add potatoes and continue to beat until the mixture is smooth.  Spread into the casserole.
  • Roughly chop pecans and dates.  Mix in 2 tbsp melted butter and almond flour.  Sprinkle over potatoes.
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes until bubbly and hot with an internal temperature of 160℉.  
  • Hack:  Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or packaged in serving-sized portions and frozen for up to 12 months.
  • Hack:  The sweet potato portion of this dish can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.  Sprinkle topping on before baking and allow a few extra minutes of baking time for the cold dish to come up to temp.
Keyword apple butter, date topping, gluten-free, pecan topping, potato casserole, side dish, sweet potato, sweet potato casserole, vegetarian, vegetarian side dish

Did you know?  Sweet potatoes have a surprising number of health benefits including maintaining blood pressure and insulin levels!

Suggestion:  Use leftover apple butter to make apple butter muffins or pork chops with apple butter and onions.

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Easy Vegan Herbed Jasmine Rice

Herbed jasmine rice is a savory vegan side that will hold up to any main course. Use your rice cooker to make it an easy and hands-off treat!

Herbed Jasmine Rice

Herbed Jasmine Rice

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Course Side Dish
Servings 3
Calories 195 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cup vegetable broth
  • ¾ cup uncooked jasmine rice
  • ½ yellow onion, minced
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp)
  • ¼ tsp dried rosemary
  • ¼ tsp dried sage
  • ¼ tsp dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf

Instructions
 

  • Add vegetable broth into the inner pan of a rice cooker.
  • Rinse rice to remove the starch coating.  Add to broth along with onion, salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme and the bay leaf.
  • Place the inner pan into the rice cooker and close the lid.  Program cooker on the white rice setting and allow it to cook.
  • Let rice sit for 10 minutes after the cycle is done.  Remove bay leaf, fluff with a fork and serve.
  • Hack:  Rice can be cooked on the stove in a saucepan.  Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Lower temperature to low and cook, covered, for 20 minutes or until all water is absorbed.  
  • Hack:  Place leftover rice while still warm (to retain moisture) in serving-size containers and freeze for future use. 
Keyword herbed rice, Jasmine rice, rice dish, rice side, seasoned rice, side dish, vegan, vegan side dish, vegetarian, vegetarian side dish

 

Have you ever wondered about how rices differ and the best ways to use them?  Check it out here!

Dehydrated onions and garlic can be used in this recipe!

Suggestion:  This rice pairs beautifully with cranberry mustard pork tenderloin!

 

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Savory Roasted Acorn Squash

Savory roasted acorn squash is a side dish packed with flavor and nutrition! It’s easy to make and is a delicious complement to a roast or tenderloin.

Savory Roasted Acorn Squash

Savory Roasted Acorn Squash

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Course Side Dish
Servings 4
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium acorn squash (1½ pounds)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp grated nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ⅔ tsp dried sage
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 450℉.  
  • Halve the squash, remove seeds and cut into 12 wedges.  Place wedges in a large bowl abd toss with olive oil, nutmeg, salt and pepper.  
  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lay squash wedges in a single layer.  Roast until lightly browned, 12-15 minutes.
  • While squash is cooking, put butter in a small skillet or saucepan and melt over medium-low heat.  Allow butter to simmer, stirring occasionally, until solids at the bottom begin to brown.  This can take from 1-5 minutes, depending on stovetop type and efficiency.  Do not leave unattended as the butter may burn quickly.
  • Remove pan from heat and whisk in sage, maple syrup and lemon juice.
  • Remove squash from oven after the first bake, flip wedges over and spoon butter mixture over each wedge.  Place back in the oven and roast for an additional 8-10 minutes or until tender.  
  • Hack:  Leftover squash can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.  To freeze, remove the rind and mash squash.  Package in serving size portions and freeze for 10-12 months.
  • Hack:  Uncooked winter squash can be stored in a cool, dark environment (less than 50℉) for up to 2 months so stock up when it’s on sale!  Cook, mash and freeze unseasoned winter squash for up to 12 months as a quick and easy addition to many recipes.
Keyword acorn squash, holiday side dish, oven roasted vegetables, savory squash, vegetable, vegetable side dish, vegetarian, winter squash

Did you know?  Winter squash provides numerous health benefits that may help reduce the risk of many diseases!

Suggestion: This pairs nicely with Cranberry Mustard Pork Tenderloin!

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Best Herb Roasted Potatoes

Sometimes called fondant potatoes, these creamy, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes are cooked in the oven to create the easiest and best herb roasted potatoes ever!

Best Herb Roasted Potatoes
Best Herb Roasted Potatoes

Best Herb Roasted Potatoes

 

1 lb red-skinned potatoes (3-4 medium)

2 tbsp butter, melted

⅓ tsp dried thyme

¼ tsp dried rosemary

½ tsp parsley

¼ tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

⅓ cup chicken broth

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp)

 

Preheat the oven to 400℉. Use non-stick cooking spray to coat a baking pan that’s large enough to lay the potato slices in a single layer.

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

Cut potatoes into 3/4″ to 1″ thick slices, discarding ends. Toss the potatoes in the butter mixture. Arrange in a single layer the baking pan.

Roast the potatoes for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and flip potatoes over. Return to the oven and roast for an additional 15 minutes.

Remove potatoes from the oven and flip one more time. Add the broth and garlic to the pan and return to the oven. Roast for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

3 servings, 215 calories per serving

Hack:  Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

 

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Easy Vegetable Rice

 

Easy Vegetable Rice
Easy Vegetable Rice

Easy Vegetable Rice

 

⅓ cup dehydrated mixed vegetables

2 sundried tomatoes, cut into small pieces

¾ cup white rice

1¾ cup water

 

Combine vegetables, tomatoes rice and water in a rice cooker.  Cook on white rice setting until done.

 

4 servings, 120 calories per serving

Hack:  This recipe can be cooked on the stovetop in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil, turn heat to low, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until all water is absorbed.

Hack:  Fresh, chopped vegetables can be substituted for dehydrated vegetables.  Simply add 1 cup of your choice of fresh vegetables and one chopped tomato.  Reduce water by 1 cup.

Hack:  Leftovers can be used to make fried rice or rice omelette.

Hack:  Leftover rice can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.   Place leftover rice while still warm (to retain moisture) in serving size containers and freeze for future use.

 

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Mandarin Glazed Beets

Mandarin Glazed Beets brings together two of my favorite foods: Fresh beets and canned mandarin oranges! What’s your favorite food combo?

Mandarin oranges and red beets come together in this colorful and delicious side dish!
Mandarin Glazed Beets

Mandarin Glazed Beets

 

4 medium beets (2 lbs)

Olive oil

11 oz can of Mandarin oranges, drained, liquid reserved

2 tsp cornstarch

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp butter

 

Cut greens off beets, leaving 1” of the stem. Wash thoroughly, brush with olive oil and wrap in aluminum foil. Roast until tender, 50-60 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Peel beets and cut into cubes.*

Mix mandarin orange liquid, cornstarch and lemon juice in a medium saucepan.  Add butter and turn heat to medium.

Allow the liquid to come to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Add beets and cook until warm.  Gently stir in oranges and allow to warm.

* Beets can be cooked in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

 

4 servings, 190 calories per serving

Hack:  If you like this combination of oranges and beets, try this Orange Beet Salad!

 

 

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Creamy Cheesy Polenta

Creamy Cheesy Polenta

Creamy Cheesy Polenta

 

4 cups water

1 tsp salt

1 cup yellow cornmeal

2 tbsp butter

½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

 

Heat water to boiling over medium-high heat. Add salt and cornmeal, whisking gently. Continue to whisk constantly until the mixture is thickened. Reduce heat to low and continue to whisk constantly for about 2 minutes or until thick.

Cover the pan and continue to cook for 30-35, whisking vigorously every 5-10 minutes, taking the time to scrape the sides of the pan. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and cheese until melted.

Allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional butter or cheese if desired.

 

4 servings, 255 calories per serving

Hack: Polenta can be eaten alone or as a side dish to replace rice or potatoes.

Hack:  Use this polenta to make Eggs With Polenta!

 

 

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