Side Dish Recipes

Mango Pineapple Salsa

Recently, my friend Justine asked if I would create an orange recipe to shine a light on something near and dear to her heart.  You may be wondering… Why orange? Orange is the official color of the non-profit Cycle for Survival, an indoor cycling event (a four hour relay to be precise!) that raises funds for rare…

Chopped Kale Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette (with an easy Meyer lemon substitute)

Hearty greens, protein-rich edamame and chickpeas, and a handful of other ingredients combine with a light but flavor-packed vinaigrette for a wholesome salad that’s great for meal prep. A well-rounded, plant-based meal as is, a protein topper like salmon or chicken will provide extra staying power.    We often think of salads as warm weather…

Spinach Pomegranate Salad with Vanilla Vinaigrette

As satisfying as it is beautiful, this vibrant salad is worthy of a holiday table or paired with a simple protein any night of the week! When I originally shared my Autumn Salad with Nancy’s Sweet and Tangy Dressing, my friend, Christine, mentioned that she serves a similar salad with a vanilla vinaigrette.  Christine said…

Roasted Root Veggie Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

The easy vinaigrette is key to memorable flavor in this endlessly adaptable, jewel-toned salad. A favorite protein makes it a complete meal.   Think of all the people you see regularly, but only in passing. People with whom you may exchange friendly banter but never have the time to really know. Maybe it’s your faithful…

Crispy Baked Eggplant

Perfect all by themselves or dipped in your favorite marinara sauce, these tasty bites often vanish straight from the baking sheet in our house!   My family always felt lukewarm towards eggplant…until this recipe. And it’s easy! Simply dredge slices of egg-dipped eggplant into a flavorful combination of Parmesan, crumbs, and seasoning. Then roast the…

Seven-Day Pickles

Seven Day Pickles have been a family favorite around here for too many years to count. The tried-and-true recipe originally came from the grandmother of a dear friend and offers a taste of summer all year long!       Every summer, I look forward to making seven-day pickles.  Although the name implies a long,…

Barbecued Bean Salad

A crowd-pleasing, family-friendly alternative to baked beans, this protein-rich salad can be prepared in advance and the flavor improves over time.   As I walked to school with my younger son one morning last month, he mentioned that his 6th grade history class’s Colonial unit would be culminating with a special lunch. All students were…

Pick-a-Grain Trail Mix Salad with Honey Yogurt Dressing

As part of a project with Stonyfield and Bob’s Red Mill (two companies with high-quality products and the nicest people behind the scenes, by the way), I was recently challenged to create a salad using one of the lesser known ancient grains–think amaranth, bulgur, farro, and sorghum–and yogurt.  Loving the mild, nutty flavor and hearty…

Big Batch Bacon Horseradish Broccoli Salad

I adore broccoli.  It doesn’t even have to be fancy.  Simply steamed or raw and dipped in homemade ranch dressing, it’s all good.  Where broccoli salad is concerned, I have a special bond.  But in order to make me really swoon, this salad must meet high standards! The following recipe is one of a few…

Basil-Orange Edamame & Bean Salad

Quick and easy and loaded with fresh flavor, this wholesome dish complements chicken, fish, steak, and pork or can be the basis of a filling plant-based meal. As a bonus, a simple ingredient adjustment will create a new recipe!    Even those who claim they don’t care for bean salad have been known to have…

Crab, Avocado & Corn Salad with Cilantro & Lime

Memorial Day weekend officially launches the season of cookouts, picnics, and pool time. A repertoire of simple, make-ahead recipes can ensure more time enjoying the outdoor fun and less time sweating it out in the kitchen. The following crab salad was an early addition to my blog and has developed a loyal fan base. My…

Strawberry Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Yogurt Dressing

  For many years, my father had a hush-hush arrangement with a stand holder at Lancaster Central Market. I only learned about it last year when he delivered a coveted box of the first homegrown strawberries after I had come home empty handed only hours before. After shopping at Market for sixty-plus years, my father…

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