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Side Dishes

I’m sharing some of my favorite “it’s so easy even I’ll make it” side dish recipes.

This recipe is great with Black Bean Cakes. The flavors really enhance each other. Another great benefit of this recipe is that it keeps well in the refrigerator for at least a week.

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Corn Relish

Makes a great side dish for Black Bean Cakes
Prep Time8 mins
Cook Time4 mins
Total Time12 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: corn relish
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 1060kcal
Cost: 5

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Small Sauce Pan

Ingredients

  • 2 12 oz. Whole Kernel Corn
  • ⅔ Cup Diced Onion
  • ⅔ Cup Green Pepper
  • ⅔ Cup Pimento's
  • ½ Cup White Vinegar
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • ¼ Cup Sugar
  • 2 tsp Dry Mustard
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Pepper

Instructions

  • Drain Corn saving ½ cup of juice
  • Combine Corn, Onion, Pepper & Pimento's in a large mixing bowl.
  • Combine remaining ingredients including reserved corn juice in a sauce pan
  • Bring sauce pan mixture to a slight boil
  • Pour hot liquid over Corn mixture and stir.
  • Cover & Refrigrate over night, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve as a cold side dish.

See Recipe for Black Bean Cakes Here

Potato Side Dish

This dish is perfect with the Ahi Tuna Recipe

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Wasabi Mashed Potatoes

Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: Potatoes
Servings: 2 people
Cost: 5

Equipment

  • 2-3 qt. sauce pan

Ingredients

  • 4-6 Red Potatoes Small to Medium in size
  • 4 tbsp Butter
  • ½ tbsp Wasabi Paste
  • 1 tbsp Sour Cream
  • Salt To taste
  • Pepper To taste

Notes

Wash and Cut Potatoes into small chunks leaving the peal on.
Cover with water and boil until soft.
Drain water and return potatoes to hot pot
Add butter, sour cream & wasabi 
Roughly mash potato mixture to desired smoothness.
Add Salt and Pepper to taste.
Serve immediately.  
Recipe is easily doubled or tripled.  
 

In addition, the asian slaw is great with the Ahi Tuna!

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Easy Asian Slaw

Prep Time10 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Japanese
Servings: 6 People
Cost: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 bag cabbage slaw mixture Or Small Head of Cabbage Chopped
  • 3 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 3 tbsp raw honey
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tsp ginger powder
  • ½ tbsp salt
  • ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds Optional

Notes

Mix all ingredients (except toasted sesame seeds)
Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours 
Add optional toasted sesame seeds just before serving.  
Excellent served with Sear Ahi Tuna and Wasabi Mashed Potatoes

This side dish is also a great appetizer. It works well with the Chicken Enchilada Recipe.

Avocados are considered a super health food and therefore are a great addition to your diet. The are cholesterol free, sodium free and low in saturated fats. To learn more about the health benefits of Avocado’s see this article.

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Avocado Salsa

Easy and Fresh Salsa
Prep Time15 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 4
Calories: 80kcal
Cost: $5.00

Ingredients

  • 1 Avocado
  • 1 med. Tomato
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Cilantro
  • 1 Lemon
  • ½ tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp Celery Salt
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper
  • dash Salt

Instructions

  • Chop Avocado and Tomato. Place in serving bowl
    Add Fresh Cilantro
    Squeeze the juice of one lemon over mixture
    Add Olive Oil and Seasonings
    Mix
    Cover and Refrigerate until ready to serve

Notes

Optional Ingredients
Chopped Onion
Chives
Garlic

Great to Freeze Recipe

This recipe side dish is great for dipping with fresh baked bread or tossed on pasta. You’ll love having small containers in your freezer to pull out at the last minute.

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5 from 1 vote

Basil Pesto Recipe

Tasty pesto great on pasta, bread, and great to use in soups.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time0 mins
0 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 125kcal
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • Food Processor or Blender

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Basil Fresh
  • 1 Cup Olive Oil Extra Virgin
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese Shredded
  • ⅛ cup walnuts chopped
  • ½ cup Pine nuts
  • 2 tbsp garlic minced
  • ⅛ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper

Instructions

  • Wash Basil Well & pat dry
  • Blend all ingredients together in food processor or blender. Blend until almost smooth. Leaving the nuts slightly crunchy.

Notes

Cost estimate is based on growing your on basil plant
Pine nuts can be substituted with Almonds
Salt and Pepper can be adjusted to taste. 
Keep Pesto in an air tight container in refrigerator for up to a week. 
Freezes well

Perfect Holiday Side Dish

A friend shared this dish with me many years ago and I make it every Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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Cranberry & Apple Bake

Easy and delicious dish perfect for the Holiday's
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time50 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Apple, cranberry
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 407kcal
Cost: 10

Equipment

  • 2 quart Baking Dish

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Chopped Granny Smith Apples
  • 2 cups Fresh Cranberries
  • 2 tbsp Plain Flour
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 3 pkg Cinnamon & Spice Instant Oatmeal
  • ¾ cup Chopped Pecans
  • ½ cup Plain Flour
  • ½ cup Firmly Packed Brown Sugar
  • ½ cup Butter Melted

Instructions

  • Preheat Oven 350°
  • Combine Apples, Cranberries & 2 Tbsp. Flour tossing to coat fruit
  • Add 1 Cup of Sugar and Mix well
  • Pour into a slightly greased baking dish
  • Combine remaining ingredients and mix well
  • Spoon over mixture over Fruit covering the top
  • Bake uncovered – 45 minutes
  • Garnish with pecan halves and cranberries if desired

I made this for Cinco de Mayo and it was a so delicious. This is a great vegetarian dish that can be served as a main dish. You can see more recipes that are great for Cinco de Mayo here.

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5 from 1 vote

Cilantro Lime Black Beans Side Dish Recipe

Fresh & Healthy Side Dish
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Total Time50 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Black Bean
Servings: 6 People
Calories: 140kcal
Cost: 10.00

Equipment

  • Cast Iron Skillet
  • 3 quart sauce pan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked white rice
  • 1 15 oz. can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • 3 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • ⅓ cup lime juice approx. 3 limes juiced.
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ¼ cup fat free vegetable broth
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  • Cook Rice
  • Add olive oil to skillet and salute onion & minced garlic until onion begins to soften
  • Add Vegetable broth
  • Add Lime Juice & Cayenne Pepper
  • Add Rice, Black Bean & Cilantro and stir until hot.
  • Garnish with Lime & Fresh Cilantro
  • Serve Immediately