simple side dishes - This Week for Dinner

Category: simple side dishes

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Beets That Are Pure Gold + Roasted Beet Salad
I’ve tried to convince you to like beets before, and I’m not going to stop until I get at least one of you beet haters on the beet bandwagon. As a beet convert myself, I know it’s possible. And, today, I’m going to make it even easier for the beet haters to give them another try.

Here’s the secret: eat golden beets. I don’t even know where you can find them because I found them in my CSA bag the week before Easter. But all of you (beet haters and lovers alike!) should try to find fresh, in-season, golden beets sometime. The flavor is milder and, well, just plain yummy. (I think the food magazines are knocking on my door after that amazing description.)

Before I get you thinking golden beets don’t taste like beets, they do. And, I’ll be straight with you…the non-beet lovers at the Easter feast did not gobble these beauties up. But the non-beet lovers did admit these beets are better than your average, run-of-the mill red beet. I consider that success.

Plus, they’re gorgeous. Seriously. My camera ate them up almost as enthusiastically as I did.
Roasted Beet Salad with Spinach and Goat Cheese

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

60 mins

Total time

1 hour 10 mins

Author: Jane Maynard, inspired by Cafe Borrone
Ingredients
- - Beets (golden if you can find them)
- - Spinach
- - Goat cheese
- - Your favorite salad dressing”¦Girard’s Champagne dressing is awesome with this salad
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the greens and ends off of the beets and wrap each beet in some foil. Place in a roasting pan. Roast 40-60 minutes, until beets are pierced easily with a sharp knife. Let cool a bit, then peel of the skins.
2. Slice beets then top with spinach, crumbled goat cheese and salad dressing.
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Posted by Jane Wallin at 5:00 am 38 Comments
Categories: CSA, eat less meat, featured recipes, healthy eats, Recipes, side dishes, simple side dishes Tags: goat cheese, roasted beet salad, roasted beets, salad, vegetarian |
Tuesday, April 26, 2011

60-Second Maple Brussels Sprouts
A while back I shared a video showing how to make 60-second Brussels sprouts (thanks once again to my culinarily-geniused friend Lindsay for sharing that with me so long ago). The idea behind the recipe is that you slice the brussel sprouts thinly, allowing them to cook quickly (hence the 60 seconds), which keeps the sulfur from emerging and stinking things up.

Nate’s parents were here for Easter and Nate’s dad loves Brussels sprouts. Pat was telling me how her niece Morrigan recently roasted Brussels sprouts with maple syrup, and that they were deeeeee-licious. I then told Pat about this quick cooking technique, which she had never tried. We decided to combine the two ideas and created a very delicious side dish for our Easter feast last week.

It’s quick, it’s easy, and the subtle sweetness of the maple syrup complements the flavor of the Brussels sprouts really nicely. I may never use lemon again!
60-Second Maple Brussels Sprouts

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Author: Jane Maynard

Recipe type: Side Dish, Vegetables
Ingredients
- 15-20 Brussels sprouts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (the real stuff!)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. To see how to prepare the Brussels sprouts, click here and watch this handy dandy video. Here’s what you do in words: cut the Brussels sprouts in half lengthwise, cut out the core, then thinly slice the sprouts, so it looks like sliced cabbage for coleslaw (see photo above).
2. Heat the olive oil and butter over high heat in a large skillet, preferably with high sides. Once the pan is hot, add the maple syrup, stir quickly, then add the Brussels sprouts. Cook them for 60 seconds, stirring throughout the cooking time. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.
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Posted by Jane Wallin at 9:04 am 26 Comments
Categories: eat less meat, healthy eats, Recipes, side dishes, simple side dishes
Thursday, November 4, 2010

Skillet Biscuit Bread
Despite the fact that Nate and I used to be addicted to the show Good Eats, we actually hardly ever watch any food shows on TV. One of the cooking shows that has had staying power for us, however, is Jacques Pépin’s More Fast Food My Way on PBS. Jacques shares low-key, simple food and I especially like it when his daughter is on the show with him. Their interactions are so, I don’t know, un-produced and we love it. On a recent episode, Jacques made a simple skillet bread. I paused the TV, got out a pen and piece of paper and wrote down everything he did. The result? Today’s recipe for skillet biscuit bread.

I am so happy I took notes and tried out this skillet biscuit bread. It was really good. By the way, Jacques did not call this skillet biscuit bread himself. I’m renaming it because the bread tasted a lot like biscuits, minus all the stress that goes into making biscuits! This bread is really so easy to throw together and my 2-year-old Anna couldn’t stop eating it! Three cheers for skillet biscuit bread!

Here’s a side shot so you can get an idea of the texture. The outside is quite crusty and cripsy, while the inside is very moist and biscuity (how’s that for an adjective?). So, if you’re tight on time and ingredients and want a simple biscuit-like bread to go with dinner, give this a try.
Skillet Biscuit Bread

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As described by Jacques Pépin on More Fast Food My Way

Author: Jane Maynard

Recipe type: Side Dish, Bread
Ingredients
- 1½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup water + a few more tablespoons
Instructions
1. Mix the dry ingredients, then add water and mix.
2. Pour about 1 tablespoon of olive oil (I have also used butter with great success) in a 9-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat. Immediately pour the batter into the pan, spreading evenly and letting some of the oil come on top as you press the dough down. Add a few tablespoons of water around the edge of the bread then cover with a lid.
3. Cook for about 7 minutes (until browned), flip and and then cook covered about another 7 minutes or so. Bread should be browned on both sides.
4. Cut up, butter the bread and enjoy! Would also be delicious with a bit of honey!
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OTHER RECIPES YOU MAY LIKE:
EQUIPMENT I USED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
Posted by Jane Wallin at 6:00 am 100 Comments
Categories: featured recipes, Recipes, side dishes, simple side dishes Tags: biscuit, bread, jacques pepin, quick breads, side dish, skillet, skillet biscuit bread |
Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Simple Roasted Acorn Squash with Shallots
I am so happy the weather has finally turned cool. So happy. If we have any more hot days, I just don’t know what I’ll do! Shake my fist at the heavens and curse the weather gods, I suppose. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

Since it’s finally autumn and it’s okay to have my oven on for an hour at a time, I made this squash the other night. It was super easy and darn tasty. The salty sweet butter mixed with delicious shallots complements the squash nicely and makes it pretty much impossible to resist. I was inspired by a recipe in a book that I’ll be sharing with you tomorrow…but it’s a surprise. And who knows, maybe we’ll have a few copies to give away. Just maybe.

Until then, enjoy some roasted acorn squash with my most favorite member of the onion family, shallots.
Simple Roasted Acorn Squash with Shallots

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From Jane Maynard, This Week for Dinner

Author: Jane Maynard

Cuisine: Side Dish
Ingredients
- Acorn Squash
- Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Chopped shallots
- Cinnamon
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
1. Cut the acorn squash in half. One half of a squash will feed one person, so do as many squashes as you need.
2. Sprinkle the following ingredients into each squash, in the following order: Shallots (maybe 2 teaspoons or so), 2 pats of butter, a teaspoon or so of brown sugar. Sprinkle cinnamon over the tops of all the squash.
3. Bake in a 425-degree oven for around 45 minutes (until the squash is easily pierced by a knife). Sprinkle with coarse salt and some pepper. Eat!
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Posted by Jane Wallin at 7:17 am 17 Comments
Categories: eat less meat, Recipes, side dishes, simple side dishes
Thursday, September 9, 2010

Hummus Guacamole Dip
I am sharing a GEM with you today. My mom got this recipe for Hummus Guacamole Dip from her good friend Jenny, of Jenny’s Green Salad fame. When my mom first described it to me, I must admit I was skeptical. Hummus WITH avocados? Hmmmm….but then I had it for the first time on the Cape this summer. Oh…my…goodness. It is delicioso. The flavors blend together so nicely. And the best part? It’s super duper healthy while also tasting like a very decadent dip.

I can have this stuff for lunch with some corn chips and be all set. Well, maybe not all set…since it tends to appear for afternoon snack time, and then again at dinner! I also served this at a pool party recently and EVERYONE was asking about the dip…when it was time to go home, the giant bowl was empty. See, I know what I’m talking about.
Hummus Guacamole Dip

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A healthy decadent dip!

Author: Jane Maynard

Recipe type: Appetizer
Ingredients
- Two 12oz pkgs of Guacamole (Jane’s Mom’s Note: of course I NEVER use packaged Guac (she smashes up a bunch of avocados))
- 1 Pint of Hummus w/roasted garlic (or any flavor you want)
- 1 15.5oz can black beans (slightly drained)
- Chunky mild/medium salsa (about a cup)
Instructions
1. Mix by hand and chill. Serve with whatever corn chips you like!
Notes

Several notes from Jane: Above is the original, official recipe. I’ve actually never used it because I just got it from my mom. I HAVE eaten it and it WAS fabulous. I’ve made the dip blind twice and generally just threw the ingredients together with proportions that looked about right. I believe I did the following, or something close to this. This also makes a lot less if you don’t need dip for an entire army.

3 avocados, smashed up
8 oz hummus
1 can black beans (drained)
8 oz chunky or fresh salsa
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix by hand and chill. Serve with corn chips!

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Posted by Jane Wallin at 7:10 am 34 Comments
Categories: eat less meat, featured recipes, side dishes, simple side dishes Tags: appetizer, dip, guacamole, hummus |
Friday, June 11, 2010

Grilled Crostini with Goat Cheese and ‘wichcraft Tomato Relish
Grilled Crostini with Goat Cheese and 'wichcraft Tomato Relish

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From Williams-Sonoma

Author: Jane Maynard

Cuisine: Side Dish, Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 baguette, sliced int ¼-inch-thick rounds
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
- 1 jar (8.8 oz) ”˜wichcraft Tomato Relish
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
1. Lightly brush both sides of the baguette slices with olive oil. Preheat a Calphalon Unison Grill pan with Sear Nonstick over medium heat. Working in batches, place the baguette slices in the pan and cook until light golden brown and toasted on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. (If you don’t have a grill pan, you can bake in a 400 degree oven for 5-10 minutes, until nice and crispy.)
2. Transfer to a serving platter. Spread about 3 teaspoons of goat cheese on each crostini and top with ”˜wichcraft Tomato Relish. Sprinkle with basil and serve. Makes about 24 crostini.
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Posted by Jane Wallin at 5:58 am 4 Comments
Categories: eat less meat, Recipes, side dishes, simple side dishes Tags: appetizer, crostini, goat cheese, side dish, tomato |
Grilled Radicchio with Orange & Balsamic
I’m so bummed. I totally forgot to photograph this recipe! And it was beautiful! Oh well. You can kind of see it in that bowl next to the small bouquet of pink roses.
Grilled Radicchio with Orange & Balsamic

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From Michael Symon

Author: Jane Maynard
Ingredients
- 6 heads of radicchio, quartered through the core (I think I used only 3 heads)
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Grated zest and juice of 3 oranges
Instructions
1. Drizzle the radicchio with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Preheat Calphalon Unison Grill pan with Sear Nonstick over medium-high heat. (I actually did use the grill pan for this recipe”¦but you could use a regular griddle, too.)
3. Place the radicchio in the pan and cook for 2 minutes per side.
4. Transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle the radicchio with salt and pepper. Whisk together olive oil, balsamic, orange zest and juice together and drizzle over radicchio.
Notes

Once the radicchio were grilled, I salt and peppered them as directed, but then I cut out the hard piece of core near at the bottom and then sliced the radicchio. I then put the radicchio into a bowl and drizzled with the oil dressing.

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Posted by Jane Wallin at 5:57 am 2 Comments
Categories: eat less meat, Recipes, side dishes, simple side dishes, way gourmet Tags: balsamic, grill, orange, side dish, vegetable |
Thursday, June 10, 2010

Lots o’ Grains Salad
For my party last week, I made this concoction, which I’ve decided to name the “Lots o’ Grains Salad.”

It’s a rice-like dish that you can serve hot or less hot, i.e. mine sat out for a little while before the party started and still tasted great. It’s super easy and I thought a nice compliment to a summery meal, and a great side dish for the pork tenderloin (recipe tomorrow).
Lots o’ Grains Salad
From Jane Maynard, This Week for Dinner

Ingredients:
- Harvest Grains Blend from Trader Joe’s (if you don’t have a TJ’s, here are the grains so you can replicate: Israeli Style Couscous, Orzo, Baby Garbanzo Beans and Red Quinoa)
- Brown Rice Medley from Trader Joe’s (if you don’t have TJ’s, here are the grains: Long Grain Brown Rice, Black Barley, Daikon Radish Seeds)
- Olive Oil
- 2 shallots, diced
- Chopped parsley, to taste
- Fresh grated parmesan cheese to taste (prob. ~ 1/2 C)
Directions:
Cook all grains according to package directions. While grains are cooking, sauté shallots in oil over medium heat until soft and translucent (use a large 12-inch skillet with higher sides or a large saucepan). Add cooked grains to shallots, then stir in the parsley and parmesan cheese. Remove from heat and serve!
Posted by Jane Wallin at 9:54 am 12 Comments
Categories: featured recipes, Recipes, side dishes, simple side dishes
Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Simple Side Dishes: Roasted Cauliflower
Today I just have a healthy and easy recipe for you. It’s so easy, in fact, I hesitate to even call it a ‘recipe.’ This roasted cauliflower is to die for. Trust me. I’ve been popping these florettes like candy for the last two days. Yum!
Simple Side Dishes: Roasted Cauliflower

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Author: Jane Maynard

Cuisine: Side Dish
Ingredients
- Cauliflower, broken up into small-medium sized pieces
- Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Handful of fresh, grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Place cauliflower on a baking sheet or in a 9X13 baking pan. Drizzle olive oil over cauliflower, then salt and pepper. Toss cauliflower to lightly cover all pieces with oil and seasoning.
2. Roast in a 400-degree oven for 25-30 minutes. Stir once or twice during cooking. Check for doneness with a sharp knife, to the point where you can pierce the cauliflower fairly easily but not to the point of mushiness. Remove from oven and toss with grated parmesan cheese.
3. Sit, eat and enjoy the simplicity and buttery goodness that is cauliflower!
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Posted by Jane Wallin at 6:11 am 25 Comments
Categories: eat less meat, featured recipes, healthy eats, Recipes, side dishes, simple side dishes Tags: cauliflower, roasted, side dish, vegetable |
Monday, November 23, 2009

Thanksgiving Prep: Sweet Potato Souffle

You ask, I deliver. Here is the recipe for the sweet potato souffle that my friend will be making this week for our feast. A nice alternative to the usual marshmallow concoction. My friend got the recipe from her sister who got it from a friend who got it from…well, you get the picture.

Sweet Potato Souffle
Base – mix together and put into a buttered glass cake pan:
– 1/2 c. sugar
– 2 eggs
– 3 c. mashed sweet potatoes
– 1 Tbsp. vanilla
– 1/2 stick melted butter

Topping:
– 1 c. brown sugar
– 1/3 c. flour
– 1 c. chopped pecans
– 1/3 c. butter (softened)

Note from reader Matty: Use softened butter and mix with the flour and brown sugar (like a crumble). Once that is sprinkled over the sweet potatoes, cover with chopped pecans.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Posted by Jane Wallin at 1:23 pm 8 Comments
Categories: holidays, side dishes, simple side dishes, thanksgiving prep