Simple. Healthy. Delicious. GO!

Asha0714
Asha0714 Posts: 88
in Food and Nutrition
I have adopted a habit of pre-making all of my meals for the week. I have started a collection of yummy / delish meals, but a lot of them need a side dish. Well, I guess they don’t “neeeed” a side dish. Anyway, please share some of your favorite side dishes or meals that you have made. Keep in mind; I am NOT a fancy chef. I’m still new to the game, so take it easy on me :wink:

Replies

  • ElviraCross
    ElviraCross Posts: 331 Member
    zucchini cakes: http://allpatchedupquilts.blogspot.com/2012/07/zucchini-cakes.html

    spanish rice: http://allpatchedupquilts.blogspot.com/2012/07/spanish-rice.html

    potato & onion hash: http://allpatchedupquilts.blogspot.com/2012/07/potato-onion-hash.html

    spanish quinoa: http://allpatchedupquilts.blogspot.com/2012/06/spanish-quinoa.html

    spicy grilled zucchini: http://allpatchedupquilts.blogspot.com/2012/05/spicy-grilled-zucchini.html

    salsa: http://allpatchedupquilts.blogspot.com/2012/05/best-salsa-ever.html
  • SouthernArt77
    SouthernArt77 Posts: 223 Member
    Our favorite simple side dishes:

    *Salad
    *Baby green beans (I buy frozen) sauteed in a tiny bit of olive oil with mince garlic, salt & pepper, and slivered almonds tossed in at the end
    *Pinto beans or Great Northern Beans, preferably cooked from dry in the crock pot. Make a large pot at a time and freeze in smaller portions. Canned are good in a pinch too.
    *Frozen steamer veggies (like Pictsweet, Green Giant, or Birdseye)
    *Baked potato
  • SouthernArt77
    SouthernArt77 Posts: 223 Member
    For oriental meals:
    *Edamame - We love the kind that is still in the shell & you can steam in the bag.

    For grilled foods or Fish Tacos (a popular thing in our house):
    *Black Bean Salad (Mix together 1 or 2 diced avocados, a can of black beans (drained & rinsed), a small can of whole sweet corn, minced garlic, minced fresh jalapenos, chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, and S&P to taste)
    *Grilled Avocados (Half & peel avocado. Brush with mixture of fresh lime juice & olive oil. Salt & Pepper. Grill cut side down for a few minutes, then flip and fill cavity where pit was with diced tomatos & chiles (we use Rotel), and top with cheese. When heated through, remove from grill and top with sour cream & fresh cilantro.)
  • Lattegurl
    Lattegurl Posts: 67 Member
    Bump
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    Fruit salad. Whatever fruits you like. Just put 'em all in a big bowl.

    Green salad with homemade dressing.

    Roasted veggies of any kind (just toss in olive oil with a little salt and pepper or seasonings of your choice, roast for a few minutes until tender)
  • jjj1988
    jjj1988 Posts: 97 Member
    bump!
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    I made this last night for lunch today. Stuffed into a sandwich thin whole wheat pita pocket w/ some lettuce & cheese. Sooo good!
    Also is super fast to whip up.

    http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/04/avocado-egg-salad.html
  • PaleoRDH
    PaleoRDH Posts: 266
    I eat "Paleo" so don't do bread, rice, potatoes (except sweet potatoes) but one thing I do every wkend is buy a bag of those small sweet peppers and slice them, then slice up a large white or yellow onion, and sautee them in some coconut or olive oil until just soft. Add fresh cracked black pepper and that Mrs. Dash chipotle flavor spice. It's got a little kick to it and it goes with dang near everything, I just reheat it with whatever I'm having. In fact Im eating some of it right now, cold, on top of some spinach as a salad to go with my lunch. :-) Super easy, tasty and healthy!
  • Fairysoul
    Fairysoul Posts: 1,361 Member
    7741150200_ae544bef47.jpg
    Turkey avocado rollups by fairysoulcreations2, on Flickr
  • Penelope2Plyr
    Penelope2Plyr Posts: 166 Member
    Bump, want to try some of these when I am in the kitchen. Thanks for sharing.
  • newcs
    newcs Posts: 717 Member
    Baked brown rice (Alton Brown's recipe) and roasted veggies...they can go in the oven at the same time.

    I also make big batches of things and portion it out for the week. Lately I've been on a pasta kick. I mix pasta with a jar of sauce and some cooked lean ground turkey, onions, garlic and spices (basil, pepper, etc). Add in some steamed broccoli or a side salad and it's a full balanced meal.
  • WarriorReady
    WarriorReady Posts: 571 Member
    Great ideas!

    I make baked sweet potatoes or brown rice. Veggies are a must at dinner even if it's just cutting up some raw carrots or peppers. :smile:
  • SRR15
    SRR15 Posts: 23 Member
    My boyfriend and I love to add mashed cauliflower as a side dish. Tastes and looks similar to mashed potatoes but so much healthier! We buy frozen cauliflower, defrost it, and toss it in a blender with whatever you want. Milk, a little cheese, and salt and pepper give a ton of flavor by themselves!
  • sgmorgan312
    sgmorgan312 Posts: 10
    bump
  • JPenny12
    JPenny12 Posts: 47 Member
    bumping for later
  • abbystensland
    abbystensland Posts: 1
    A new favorite in our household:

    http://greenlitebites.com/2010/06/28/roasted-grilled-cabbage/

    And this one phenomenal...tastes so bad for you but isn't:

    http://www.justaddasliceoflove.blogspot.com/2012/03/twice-baked-cauliflower.html

    These are also great to try (and very easy, especially if you have a garden with tons of tomatoes like I do):

    http://www.justaddasliceoflove.blogspot.com/2012/02/baked-parmesan-tomatoes.html

    http://www.justaddasliceoflove.blogspot.com/2011/10/balsamic-parmesan-green-beans-with.html

    Good luck!! :)
  • ModoVincere
    ModoVincere Posts: 530 Member
    spinach salad with strawberrys and grilled chicken....maybe candied pecans sprinkled on it.
  • seniorfaye
    seniorfaye Posts: 295 Member
    Bump for later. Would like to try some of these recipes...:-)
  • SouthernArt77
    SouthernArt77 Posts: 223 Member
    A new favorite in our household:

    http://greenlitebites.com/2010/06/28/roasted-grilled-cabbage/
    OOOH! Those look awesome. We love cabbage but have never tried it this way. I'm pinning for later. Thanks!
  • shelbyfrootcake
    shelbyfrootcake Posts: 965 Member
    Salad
    Steamed, grilled or roasted veg
    Ratatouille
    Root veg mash
    Lemon cous cous with olives
  • utahgirl247
    utahgirl247 Posts: 370 Member
    i love celery sticks with philadelphia garden veggie cream cheese in them. either the regular or the 1/3 less fat. both are great.

    i also like getting a slice of deli ham, a slice of swiss cheese and a pickle wedge, roll it up and viola ` delicious!

    i love the fresh snap peas or even just garden peas raw. i eat them almost like candy so 20 pea pods is a great side or snack.

    you can get the jiff creamy natural on the go packs and take an apple to dip in. great snack or use as meal. nice protein and its delicious.

    cottage cheese and pineapple is also a favorite
  • eknobbe
    eknobbe Posts: 106 Member
    BUMP!!
  • Asha0714
    Asha0714 Posts: 88
    Thanks everybody! I'm excited to look through all the posts later.
    I'm a huge pinterest dork, so that's where I save all of the recipes that I have made or want to make. :tongue:

    http://pinterest.com/ashalyn14/discover-health/
  • jiddu17
    jiddu17 Posts: 187 Member
    Cucumber salad (cucumbers, red/white onions, tomatoes, feta, etc... - Village Salad sort of)

    Chopped spinach, diced mushrooms, minced Garlic, deydrated onion, with a splash of broth/stock, dressing, soy sauce or sesame oil. (I put this in a pan until everything is a glop - but I guess it could be served cold)

    1oz (per person) No Yolks Noodles, boiled in 2 cups Chicken or Beef Broth/Stock seasoned with Garlic Powder and Onion Powder. Top with 2 tsp's (per serving) of grated parmesan cheese. (I do this in the microvwave, done in 20 min)

    100 cal Sandwich Thins topped with Mozzarella Cheese and Garlic Powder, then broiled for a few minutes.

    Roast a pan of carrots, peas, corn, potatoes, cauliflower, or any combinatiom. I make enough for two or three meals and then I just warm them up when I need them.
  • jiddu17
    jiddu17 Posts: 187 Member
    Thought of a few more:

    1/2 of a Black Bean Burger, crumbled or cut (or just serve as 1/2) and mix in or top with salsa, corn, a tiny bit of sour cream.

    Lettuce with salsa, corn and black beans

    I have served chickenless nuggets as a side dish.

    Egg whites with green pepper, mushroom, onion and/or chopped spinach mixed in. Add feta if you would like.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Sweet potato fries. By them frozen or make your own.

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