Category Archives: Side Dishes

Healthy Cauliflower Rice

Everyone likes takeout fried rice and it’s on my favorite things to get when I go to takeout from our local restaurant. I know it’s not the healthiest, so when I found this recipe for a healthier revision of “fried” rice, I knew it would be something my family would love. It did not disappoint either! My kids didn’t even realize the rice was swapped out with cauliflower. I served it with baked salmon and it was great for leftovers too!

Healthy

12 oz bag frozen rice cauliflower
2 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp sesame oil
1 Tbsp fresh grated ginger
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, diced
6 oz broccoli florets, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and grated
1/2 cup frozen corn
2 green onions, thinly sliced

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger; set aside. In a medium skillet over low heat, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add in the eggs and cook all the way through. Allow to cool before cutting into small pieces. Set aside until you’re ready to finish the dish. In a large skillet, heat the remaining oil over medium high heat. Add in the garlic and onion and stir often until the onions become translucent. Add in the broccoli, carrots and corn. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Stir in the cauliflower, eggs, green onions and soy sauce mixture. Stir constantly and continue to cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes or until the cauliflower is heated through. Serve immediately.

Source: Damn Delicious

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

I bought a head of cauliflower last week when I saw this recipe as I was killing time on Pinterest. It looked so good and I knew it would perfectly for dinner one night especially since I’m back on the LCHF (low carb, high fat) wagon. It looked so good and I knew it would help squash my cravings for carbs. It definitely did that and I loved it! The mash is super easy to make and went along with burgers (of course, bunless for me). I would have loved a little green onion in it, but I forgot to grab a bunch when I was grocery shopping.

Loaded Cauliflower Mash | Join Us, Pull up a Chair

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Greek Cucumber Salad

My garden is overflowing with cucumbers right now and I’m looking for new recipes to use them up. I love cucumbers and this salad was so refreshing especially with this heat wave we’re stuck in. I made it for dinner one night with grilled chicken and it was so good. Madeline ate three bowls of it! It would be great for a picnic too. You could prep all the ingredients and then mix it up right before your ready to eat.

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Asian-Style Slaw – The Secret Recipe

We’ve been doing a lot of grilling lately and I’m always looking for side dishes that will go with any type of meat. This Asian-style slaw was the perfect side to grilled chicken we had one night last week.

Today’s reveal day for my Secret Recipe Club and I’m excited to share this recipe with everyone. This slaw is super easy to make and you can switch out the veggies to whatever you family likes or what you have in your garden. It’s so versatile!

My assignment this month was Natural Noshings. Nora writes about food and fitness. Her recipes focus on natural, real food and nothing to processed or over-complicated. Right up my alley! Nora had a bunch of other recipes I have pinned and look forward to making this summer.

Asian-Style Slaw | Join Us, Pull up a Chair #secretrecipeclub

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Spring Vegetable Barley Salad – The Secret Recipe Club

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you all have a fun day planned with your friends and family. It’s raining here today and we’ve spent the last few days working outside in the yard and getting our pool ready. We’re planning to go to the movies later today – not sure what we’re seeing yet, but I’m looking forward to a day to relax before another busy week of work starts.

May had an extra Monday and that means a special theme day for The Secret Recipe Club! The theme was picnic or BBQ foods. So many options to choose from! My assignment  blog was Thyme for Cooking. Such a fun blog name, right?! Katie shares about her life in France, restoring an old farmhouse and all the amazing food that comes along. She also keeps busy with weekly menu planning that she shares over on her other site.

Spring Vegetable Barley Salad | Join Us, Pull up a Chair

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Slow Cooker Au Gratin Potatoes

My husband is always asking me to make au gratin potatoes and last time I made them, they didn’t turn out so well. I knew it was time again and I came across a recipe that uses a slow cooker. I was a little hesitant to try it out, but they came out perfect. Even better as leftovers! The potatoes were cooked through and the cheese sauce was perfect. It was a big hit at our Easter dinner!

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Pesto Roasted Potato Salad

I’m always on the hunt for new side dishes to make for picnics and this one was a unique twist on a traditional salad. I’m not a fan of potato salad, so I rarely make it, but when I saw this recipe, it was one that I knew I would like. It’s different and wasn’t a big hit at my son’s birthday party, but breaking traditions with family doesn’t always go as planned.

Roasting the potatoes made a big difference and I loved that the recipe was made without mayo. Plus you can’t go wrong with using pesto and avocado! When I made this, I skipped the step of boiling the potatoes and will do that the next time I make this salad. Our potatoes were a little more crunchy then soft and there were a few complaints. Oh well. Regardless, definitely give this recipe a try for your next summer picnic!
Pesto Roasted Potato Salad | Join Us, Pull up a Chair

3 cups Yukon gold potatoes, cubed
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 small red onion, diced
Handful of fresh chives, chopped
2 garlic cloves
1 avocado
½ cup fresh basil
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 – 4 splashes of hot sauce
Salt & fresh ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Boil the cubed potatoes in salted water for 5 to 8 minutes until they are partially cooked. They should be able to be pricked with a fork, but not fully cooked. Drain and transfer to a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper and roast for 15 minutes or until they are golden brown. Remove and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a medium pan, toast the walnuts. Transfer ½ cup of the toasted walnuts into a food processor. Add in the garlic, avocado, basil, lemon juice and hot sauce. Process until the pesto is smooth and creamy.

In a large bowl, toss together the roasted potatoes, diced red onion, chives and remaining ½ cup of walnuts. Add about ¾ of the pesto to the potatoes and stir to coat. Add more pesto if you want the salad to be wetter. The remaining pesto is great to top with pasta or as condiment on a sandwich.

Source: Ceara’s Kitchen

Wild Rice Butternut Squash Salad

Are you planning your menu for Thanksgiving? It looks like I’m hosting Thanksgiving for the first time this year, so I’m excited to try a few new recipes in addition to our family favorites. This is one of the dishes I’m planning to make. It’s refreshing and the flavors scream fall. Both my husband and I loved it, the kids weren’t sold on it, but I’m going to make it anyway.

Do you experiment with new dishes for holidays or stick with your family favorites? Share your Thanksgiving sides with me! I’m always looking for new ideas.

2 1/2 cups peeled and finely chopped butternut squash
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
salt & fresh ground pepper
2 1/2 cups thinly sliced kale, lightly massaged
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
3 cups cooked wild rice, warm

Dressing:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 garlic clove, minced

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat the cubed butternut squash with the olive oil and spread over a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for approximately 25 minutes until the squash is fork tender.

While the squash is roasting, combine all the dressing ingredients together and mix with an immersion blender.

In a bowl, combine the kale, cranberries and basil. Toss in the warm rice and roasted squash to slightly wilt the kale. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper if needed. This salad should be served at room temperature.

Source: Heart Beet Kitchen 

Quinoa Mac & Cheese

My little guy loves mac & cheese…I mean, really loves it. I know it’s the one thing that he will always eat without fighting me. He’s starting to be picky and also with sitting at the table to eat, so needless to say, our dinners have not been very enjoyable. I’m looking forward to this phase being over.

I’m always trying to find new ways to incorporate protein into his food, because he doesn’t like meat. He loved this and it was great to send in for lunch to daycare. Madeline was just so-so on it, but I made it her eat it anyway. 🙂 I remember my mom making me eat baby brussel sprouts and baked lima beans as a kid…I now like brussel sprouts, but not the limas. This recipe is also easy to make and I always have the ingredients on hand, so I know I’ll be making it again. The original recipe called for a breadcrumb topping, but I’m not a fan of crust on my mac & cheese, so I left it off.

1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed and drained
2 tsp minced garlic
2 large eggs
1 cup skim milk
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
salt 
Cook the quinoa according to the package instructions. I used vegetable broth to cook the quinoa. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. 
While the quinoa is cooking, whisk together the eggs, minced garlic and milk in a large bowl. Add in the cooked quinoa and cheese. Mix well until some of the cheese melts. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with leftover grated cheese. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top is lightly browned and the cheese is melted. Let set 5 minutes before serving. 
Source: Smithalicious

Chickpea, Tomato and Cucumber Quinoa Salad

We had a little taste of summer a couple weeks ago and when that happens, I try to spend the least amount of time in the kitchen! Luckily for me, we finally bought a grill this year and my husband has been doing a lot of cooking…which gives me a little break in the kitchen. Grated, I do love cooking, but there are days when one child is hanging on your leg and the other is asking you 500 questions…cooking is next-to-impossible.

This salad was one of those sides that I could throw together, while Ross made BBQ chicken legs and thighs on the grill. It was a super light salad and perfect for summer picnics, especially since it’s mayo free. I know I’ll be making it many more times this summer!

1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup diced english cucumber
1 cup quinoa, cooked
2 Tbsp red onion, minced
2 Tbsp cilantro, minced
juice of 1 1/2 limes
salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
In a medium sized bowl, combine all the ingredients right before serving. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If preparing ahead of time, keep in refrigerator until ready to eat. 
Source: Skinnytaste