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Posts from the ‘Salads and Side Dishes’ Category

20
Jul

A L’OLIVIER Fruit Vinegars

France’s oldest (1822) oil and condiment makers – A L’OLIVIER – makes 7 fruit vinegars – Passion Fruit, Mango, Raspberry, Fig, Black Currant, Tomato, and Espelette Chili Pepper (a red pepper grown in the Basque region) – that make a refreshing addition to summer salads. With a thick sauce-like texture and a fruity-tart sweetness, the natural bright-colored A L’OLIVIER fruit vinegars are smooth and delicious as is – or as the perfect addition to olive oil for a light summer dressing. Read more »

4
Jun

Hungryroot Deliciousness

Pure. Comfort. Food. Vegetable-centric foods that satisfy on every level.

Anyone who eats vegetables knows the worst part of enjoying nature’s most nutritious food group is the chopping, cutting, shredding, and for those who love vegetable noodles – spiralizing which turns nearly any vegetable into a mound of noodles (provided you have a spiralizer, time, and muscles). Read more »

9
May

Green Pea Guacamole

I always love a side of guacamole with everything.                                                                 ~Erin Heatherton

Rich, creamy guacamole made from a perfectly ripe avocado is the perfect topping for a veggie burger or toast, as a sandwich spread, or as a dip with tortilla chips or crackers. But if you want to ramp up the nutrition without compromising on flavor, consider making Green Pea Guacamole – an equally rich, thick, and flavorful side dish that is made with both avocado and fresh green peas. Read more »

15
Apr

Golden Berries and Golden Berry Relish

Golden Berries are making an appearance in grocery stores nationwide. Native to high altitude tropical climates – and particularly Peru and Columbia – Golden Berries are small round berries that look like yellow cherry tomatoes but with a sweet and mild tart flavor.

Also known as Peruvian Ground Cherries, Cape Gooseberries, Uchuva, and Physalis (its scientific name), Golden Berries have traditionally been used to make jams, preserves, and as an exotic garnish on tarts.  More recently, the berries are being enjoyed as is, chopped in a salad, or diced in a relish (see recipe below). Read more »

1
Apr

How to Spice Up Salad, Rice, and Baked Potatoes

At some point we all get into a rut when it comes to making a side dish, whether it’s the dinner salad, rice, or a baked potato.  Let’s start with the salad. Lettuce greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and scallions are placed in a bowl, tossed with dressing and voilá, the salad is ready. If we think ahead, maybe some homemade croutons make an appearance.

For rice, we generally chose water and when feeling adventurous, maybe broth (low sodium if we’re in a nutritious frame of mind). Baked potatoes present another challenge, especially for those on dairy-free diets because butter and sour cream are not options. So, what can we do with these three essential side dishes to generate a bit more excitement at the table? Read more »

4
Mar

Asian Salad with Ginger Soy Vinaigrette

The Farmer’s Table restaurant  in Boca Raton, Florida serves a Mandarin Chopped Salad with Ginger Soy Vinaigrette that is remarkable for its flavor, texture, and color. Filled with chopped cabbage, red bell peppers, carrots, broccoli florets, mandarin oranges, and candied cashews tossed in a Ginger Soy Vinaigrette, the Mandarin Chopped Salad is a showstopper and one of those dishes that made me wish the salad bowl was bottomless. In other words, I had to figure out how to make a version of this salad in my own kitchen. Read more »

3
Feb

Almond Cole Slaw

Which ingredients do not belong together?

  1. Peanut Butter and Jelly
  2. Oil and Vinegar
  3. Cole Slaw and Almonds

Most people would choose #3 because cole slaw traditionally gets its crunch from shredded cabbage and carrots and it’s creaminess and tanginess from a mayo or vinegar based dressing. Nuts never really enter the picture in this all-American side dish but adding finely chopped almonds to a traditional cole slaw recipe yields some very amazing results. Read more »

14
Jan

Farmhouse Tomatoes

The difference between a bland tomato and a great one is immense, much like the difference between a standard, sliced white bread and a crusty, aromatic sourdough.     ~Yotam Ottolenghi

Nearly all of America’s winter tomatoes are grown in Florida and California because of the mild climate and long growing season needed to take a seedling with a few green leaves to mature into a vine full of tomatoes. Most of these tomatoes have been bred to ripen uniformly red and round, although historically America’s favorite “fruit” has been a myriad of colors and shapes, which are not attributes coveted by retailers who value consistency and predictability. Read more »

18
Oct

Pereg Gourmet Grain Blends

The most challenging part of adding grains to a diet is learning how to enhance the flavor with herbs, spices, vegetables and dried fruits. Pereg Gourmet takes the guesswork out by combining grains (farro and couscous) with just the right amount of all natural ingredients so that all you have to do is add water. In 15-20 minutes, a perfectly spiced side dish is ready to enjoy. Read more »

8
Oct

Potato and Honey Crisp Apple Salad

With the bountiful supply of Honey Crisp apples this time of year, consider making a Potato and Honey Crisp Apple Salad – an easy and delicious side dish filled with sweet potatoes, red potatoes, and Honey Crisp apples tossed in a honey mustard dressing and served over a bed of greens, fresh scallions, and avocado. The earthy red potatoes combined with sweet potatoes and crunchy, slightly tangy apple pieces form the foundation of a seasonal side salad that showcases the best of Autumn. Want an added crunch? Add toasted pecans. Read more »