Side Dishes

Roasted Brussels Sprouts on the Stalk

November 5, 2013

Ever wonder what to do with those big, gorgeous Brussels sprout stalks that start popping up in the produce department at this time of year? Roast the whole thing! The moment I noticed a recipe for Roasted Brussels Sprouts on the Stalk attached to the sprouts I found at Trader Joe’s, into my basket they […]

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Smoked Grilled Vegetables

August 30, 2013

{Thank you to McCormick Grill Mates for sponsoring this post, the final post in a three-part series showcasing this summer’s grilling trends.} “You smell like barbecue,” remarked my three-and-a-half year old little boy, upon taking a deep sniff of my forearm. It was true…after overseeing our grill, which now housed a box of smoldering wood […]

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Skillet Green Beans and Bacon…and the Simple Things

May 23, 2013

I’ve started this post precisely one zillion times. How could it possibly take that many attempts to write up some simple Skillet Green Beans and Bacon? Because, to be honest, my mind has been occupied with lots of other things – national tragedies, tough stuff closer to home. It’s kind of hard to get going […]

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Glazed Brussels Sprouts

November 11, 2012

Believe it or not, I was a kid who actually liked Brussels sprouts. I really didn’t mind the leafy green mini-cabbage-looking-things at all. They were kind of neat and different. These days, I kind of love them. A whole lot of flavor can fill those leafy layers…such as the ginger, honey and bacon that simmer […]

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Lima Bean Couscous Salad

September 6, 2012

“Do you ever come across on-the-package recipes that don’t work?” People ask me this all the time. And I respond, “Yes, more often than you think!”. For the most part on-the-package recipes are wonderful hidden gems (hence, I started this blog!) but every once in a while I’ll find one that…um…isn’t. I have a special […]

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Chestnut Stuffing

November 22, 2011

Thanksgiving is almost here and I’ve got one more terrific recipe to submit for your consideration as you finalize your menu for the big feast: Chestnut Stuffing.This stuffing turned out to be even better than I’d hoped. I like a really homey, traditional, herby, moist-on-the-bottom-crispy-and-golden-on-top kind of stuffing and this recipe (from the back of […]

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Creamed Spinach with Bacon

November 14, 2011

Spinach doesn’t need cream or bacon to make it a good side dish. It’s fine on its own, simply steamed or sauteed with a little lemon. That’s how I typically make it. But… If you do happen to mix cream and bacon in with spinach – and maybe some aromatic onions and garlic too for […]

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Slow Cooker Garlic Artichokes

May 26, 2011

It came as a surprise to many of my friends that I had never cooked artichokes until a few weeks ago. Here in California artichokes are kind of a staple, like avocados. In fact, nearly all artichokes in the U.S. are grown in this state (I just learned that). However, my parents were raised in […]

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Balsamic Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

April 27, 2011

I’ll try almost any recipe that has “balsamic” in the name. Balsamic vinegar is like this magical elixir that dials up the flavor of anything it touches. I’ll never forget the first time I tried strawberries with balsamic vinegar – how in the world did it make them so sweet? And, of course, you can’t […]

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Zucchini with Walnuts & Chives

August 25, 2010

Yes, it’s unofficially “Zucchini Week” on Cooking On the Side. The other day I brought you a sweet treat – Chocolate Chunk Zucchini Bread. Today we’ll step over to the savory side, with Zucchini with Walnuts & Chives. Evidently when you plant zucchini in your garden it grows like crazy (you have to see the […]

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