All posts filed under: Side Dish

Herbed Brown Rice w/Lemon

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The are some health benefits to brown rice, that’s a plus. Sometimes I just crave the stuff! It is so much more substantial (in my book) than white rice. The grains are heavier in your mouth and just a good and different food experience. Ingredients… 1 1/2 cups brown rice 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons minced shallot 1 garlic clove minced 3 cups beef broth 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tsp thyme 1 1/2 tsp salt Process… In a med sauce pan heat the olive oil to med hot Add in the rice Over medium heat stir fry the rice until slightly toasted Add in the shallot continue to cook for a few minutes Add in the garlic, stir for another minute or so, being careful not to burn the garlic Add in all other ingredients Bring mixture to a boil Lower heat to simmer Cover and cook rice for about an hour and 1/2 or until tender and the liquid is absorbed Enjoy friends! g.

Yorkshire Pudding/Popovers

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A taste of England… So a few years ago my husband and I were blessed with a stay in England. Belgravia to be exact, thanks a katrillion Priya! While on this trip we had the opportunity to visit family friends in Oxford England, and so it was in Oxford that I was first introduced to the rather incredible delectable treats know as Yorkshire Pudding! Typically Yorkshire Pudding is served with Sunday Roast, a grand meal fit for any day of the week of, beef roast, gravy and sides, plus Yorkshire Pudding. The Yorkshire Pudding/Popovers are served on the plate with the roast, gravy and sides and you eat them with your meal. These Popovers are savory and super delish! Here’s the recipe I used. I just made 2 modifications. First of all I only used a 1/4 tsp oil in each popover cup. Secondly I added an exact 1/4 tsp salt to the mix. http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/light-and-crispy-popovers Next time I make these I will be using beef roast drippings or bacon drippings instead of the canola oil …

Simply Cauliflower Mash

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I decided to go here again. Why? Because this recipe is Simply that simple. If you’re trying to get your kids or grandkids to eat more vegi’s this is a great thing to start with. The last recipe I gave you (for cauliflower mashers) had more of an Atkins spin, with heavy cream and all. These are just so good no cream or extra butter needed! Get those florets started Cook them up Let the blending begin Nice and smooth Make the consistency yours, add less or more broth depending on your preference. Don’t forget that butter. Decadence in moderation, it’s a very good thing! Oh yum! And here you go… 1 head trimmed cauliflower, chopped into florets 1 tsp salt for cooking cauliflower  1 tsp garlic powder for cooking cauliflower 1 tablespoon salted butter 1/2 cup or so cauliflower broth (cooking liquid)  4 oven roasted garlic cloves  1/2 to 1 tsp additional salt  In a med size pot bring 6 cups of water to a boil Add to the water 1 tsp salt and …

Scalloped Potatoes w/Spam Of Yesteryear 

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So I’ve been craving these delish scallop potatoes with spam. My Aunt, through marriage, made them from time to time and boy do they bring back some awesome and delish good foodie memories. The recipe is quite simple actually. Keep in mind this dish is a little different in that the looseness/soupiness of the finished dish is part of it’s extreme goodness. Layering up! Don’t forget the spam man. 😉 Final layer (I added extra pepper) It’s about done Ready to serve One big chunk of the casserole… gone! 😋 So good and quite close to how I remember them. Ingredients 7/8 medium size russet potatoes, scrubbed 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 tsp dried thyme 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp onion powder 1/8 tsp pepper 1/2 can of spam, chopped (use light spam if you prefer) 1/2 – 1 cup medium cheddar cheese, shredded 2 cups milk * No salt needed if you are using regular spam, if using light spam add about 1/4 tsp to the seasoning mix Process Preheat oven to 350 Par …

Spanish Brown Rice w/Vegi’s 

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I picked this up at my local Walmart, it’s a great texture brown rice. Benefits of brown rice http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=128#healthbenefits I followed my method for regular Spanish rice except for a few things, more liquid and a longer cooking time. I like to brown the tomato sauce as well. Bring the mix to a boil Cover and simmer on low for 1 hour. Serves approximately 6 Ingredients 1 tsp cooking oil (I use olive oil) 1 cup brown rice 1/ 3 cup tomato sauce 2 cups chicken broth 1/4 cup water 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (or a frozen peas and carrot mix works well here too) Process In a medium saucepan heat the oil to medium high Begin to brown the rice, mixing often. You’ll have to watch over the pot of rice closely here as not to burn it. Mixing it quite often is your best here When the rice is somewhat browned add in the tomato sauce, continue browning with …

Keto Squash and Peppers

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I’ve been doing a modified Atkins thing lately just to drop some vacation pounds. With all the hoopla about the ‘Keto’ diet I decided to call this dish… Keto Squash and Peppers w/Cheese.  I love to enjoy this kinda soupy but feel free to cut down on the chicken stock by a cup or so to make it more of a side dish and less of a soup.  Before moving on I thought I’d share some of my personal history with this dish, my mother made a version of this for years, her famous ‘Calabacitas’. Her version was always so very delicious. One evening while I was in culinary school in the South of France I made my mom’s calabacitas for some of my fellow chefs in training, talk about a hit! Aw, such fond memories. 💖 My mom would use sautéd onions, tomatoes and garlic and many times she’d add a can a corn to her soupy dish too.  Since I’m doing the Atkins/Keto thing I omitted the (fresh) onions, tomatoes and corn and …

Spanish Rice 

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Growing up Spanish rice was a staple in our home. My mom’s version, though a bit different than the way I like to cook mine now, was pure perfection. She did like mine, but she was always partial to her own, no tomato sauce, extra garlic, version. My, I can still picture her in our kitchen preparing her rice, aromas sweetly enveloping our home, warmly tantilzing our taste buds… Having spent an extended period of time in Spain, Barcelona mostly,  where I throughly enjoyed the cuisine and cooked and shopped like a local, I discovered that paprika (their secret ingredient) is a favorite spice there, it’s added in the cooking process of many a wonderful dish. These days I love to add paprika to my Spanish rice. This gives the rice a rich deep flavor and adds that little extra something others will be dying to know about later. 😉 Ingredients… 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup white rice 1/3 cup tomato sauce 2 cups chicken broth 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp paprika 1/4 tsp …

Tantalizing Tangy Potato Salad 

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This about sums it up. (with the addition of a few other ingredients)  Simple ingredients yes, these I just happened to have on hand. I’d been craving something tangy for days, so naturally I went for the cocktail onions and pickles too when creating this recipe, this combo made for some very tantalizing goodness.  This comes together so quickly and it’s so delicious.  I cooked the potatoes and eggs in the same pot and water. The potatoes took about 30/40 minutes. (cooked whole, skins on)  I added the eggs in toward the end and cooked them for about 11/15 minutes in the rapidly simmering water I served my potato salad with a side of BBQ ribs, yum… bunny… yum!  Ingredients… 10 cooked red potatoes (skin on), chopped large  3 Tablespoons pimiento, chopped 2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped  1 celery stalk, chopped 6-8 cocktail onions, minced 2 pickle spears, chopped 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp season salt  1/2 cup mayonnaise  Process… Combine all ingredients  Chill the salad for at least …

Roasted Rosemary Red Potatoes 

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A few good things can make for a good thing. I had some red potatoes to use up, decided to make Rosemary Red Potatoes to co-star with my seared sirloin dinner this evening.  This time I went to my front yard potted rosemary for help. I’m lucky, this is one of just a few things that grow well all year here in my neck of the woods and I just love the flavor it can add to certain dishes. These red potatoes will be delish with the addition of rosemary, I’m sure of it.  I trimmed off just one med size sprig today. I removed the green just by kind of pulling down at the main spring (the woodsy part) and then I chopped the rosemary up very small. This tablespoon of minced rosemary will add tons of delicious flavor to the potatoes.  All tossed up!  Ingredients… 6-8 red potatoes 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon minced rosemary  1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder Process… Preheat oven to …

Mexican Fideo

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When you’re thinking about preparing your lunch (and hungry for it already) at 10:30 in the morning, you know you woke up waaaaay too early. So…  comfort food it is, then perhaps a nap!  I give you my momma’s Mexican Fideo. Pure comfort, completely delish and high in carbs, yup, oh so good!  One of these days I promise to share the recipe.   I’m off to nap. lol. I am. g.

Thee Best Smashed Potatoes 

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Ok folks if you want wow your guests and make them fall all over you (in a good way), make them these yummy smashed pototoes.  I learnt this method of making mashed-like potatoes in culinary school, years ago. They absolutely never disappoint. In fact I’ve got my own following of smashed potato fans, I do!     Ingredients…  5 lbs baking potatoes cooked to soft and peeled 2 tablespoons olive oil 8 tablespoons salted butter or margarine  1/3 cup white onion, chopped small 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 1 cup heavy cream  Process Heat oil and butter or margarine in a medium size sauté pan on med heat until butter or margarine is melted. Add in the onions, salt and pepper Cook the onions on low to med heat until they are clearly translucent and soft, mixing them often. Add in the minced garlic and continue to cook the mixture on low until the garlic is soft.  In a large bowl combine the peeled cooked potatoes with the butter …

Cheesy Rice and Corn Casserole 

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2 cups cooked white rice 1 can sweet corn 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 cup Greek yogurt 1/2 stick salted butter 1 can mushroom soup  1 small can chopped green chiles 1 small can sliced olives  1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Process… Preheat oven to 350 Combine all ingredients expect the cheese Spray a 8 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray, place the rice mix in the dish Top the rice mixture with the cheese Bake covered for 45 minutes, uncovered for 15.  * I cooked my 2 cups of white rice (to 4 cups water) with 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon, 1/2 tsp salt and a 1/8 tsp pepper. Doing this adds a great base flavor to the casserole.