If there’s an area of meal planning where I find it hard to come up with new ideas, it’s the category of side dishes! It’s so easy to get into a rut of green beans, corn and baked potatoes. We like each of those things and they’re easy. They take no thought, but they get really boring after a while!
Recently when looking for something to add to my meal of Tandoori Shrimp,I came across a Brown Rice Salad and Black Beans and Corn recipe. I had all the ingredients on hand, so I went for it! Were we very happy I did! My husband raved about it the first night and when leftovers were served the next day, he exclaimed again how good this was! I heartily agree! You could serve this warm or cold and it would be perfect.
It’s hard to get a pretty picture of brown rice, so you have to trust me on this one. The flavor combinations are just so good!
Brown Rice Salad with Black Beans and Corn
1 Cup instant uncooked Brown Rice 15 oz. Black Beans, drained 1 Cup frozen corn kernels 1/4 Cup diced scallions 2 Tbl cilantro 2 tsp pickled Jalapeno peppers – I left this out 1 Tbl lime juice 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions: Cook rice according to directions on package. While rice is warm, add all other ingredients. Serve with lime wedges.
This couldn’t be easier! It would be a great accompaniment to Mexican meals, chicken or fish.
Get out of your side dish rut and try this. You may be a long time before you look at baked potatoes again!
If you grimace at the thought of Fish Tacos, it’s probably because you’ve never had a really tasty one! We are HUGE taco fans in any shape or fashion, so I am always willing to try a new recipe for our favorite fare because they come together in under 30 minutes, they’re healthy when broiled, and they’re so yummy!
Smoky Tilapia Tacos
I recently came across a new recipe for Fish Tacos in my favorite source – a Cooking Light Magazine. If you’ve been with me for any length of time, you know I adore their recipes. They did not disappoint! This has become my new favorite Fish taco recipe! Their recipe has a little kick added, which I have found the fish really needs in order to be exceptional. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the seasonings, just wing it and enjoy! I’ll share my substitutions and omissions in the following recipe.
Smoky Tilapia Tacos
Ingredients
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika –I used regular paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander – I left this out
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
2 pounds tilapia fillets – I used frozen Polluck
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro – I’m not a huge fan, so I omitted this
Combine first 4 ingredients and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Brush fillets with oil, and sprinkle with spice mixture. Place fillets on a baking sheet. Broil 6 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Combine remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, cilantro, chilies, and avocado in a bowl; lightly mash with a fork.
Heat tortillas on a grill pan coated with cooking spray 20 seconds on each side or until lightly charred. Divide avocado mixture and fish among tortillas. Serve with lime wedges.
To accompany the tacos, Cooking Light suggested a recipe for Pinto beans which are canned, and are cooked very similarly to the way I share here. Then they are topped with the best cream! I added this cream to the tacos, too, which gave them such a full flavor! These take only Minutes to put together!
My husband declared he’d rather I never fix refried Beans again, and only serve these with Mexican food. I heartily agree! I bet you will, too!
Simmered Pinto Beans with Chipotle Sour Cream
Simmered Pinto Beans with Chipotle Sour Cream
Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (15-ounce) can unsalted pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
3 tablespoons low-fat buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons minced chipotle chiles, canned in adobo sauce
Today we’ll be celebrating an early Christmas with one of our daughters, her husband and my GRANDSONS! I decided it would be fun to have brunch together. I had taken a Bacon and Cheddar Grits Quiche to our recent Church ladies’ fellowship, and after making it again, I was reminded that it was something my family loves. The quiche will be the main star of our meal! It’s pictured below. Â
Is Thanksgiving about the turkey or is it really about the sides that go along with it? After our early celebration that happened last Friday, I’m pretty sure it’s all about the SIDES! To help with the meal, Whitney made Mac and Cheese (I’m sure she’ll share it with you!)and Alli made Sweet potatoes – both were scrumptious! We try to please all the men at our gatherings, so there are lots of potatoes and starches (carbs!). I made mashed potatoes, of course, but when I tried to decide what other vegetables to make, I didn’t want to throw in something weird…you know, like brussel sprouts or roasted cabbage. But I did want to change it up just a little. Continue reading “Delicious Thanksgiving Sides”→
I love having options, and when it comes to cooking, it’s even more true! Making Easter dinner made me challenge myself to find recipes with a little less calories and carbs, since most in my family are trying to watch both. We splurged a little, but it was a good feeling to know that things were made lighter this year! I love the option of making our favorite recipes, but reducing the calories in them!
Spiral Glazed Ham
Baked Potato Casserole
Green Beans with Almonds Strawberry Kale Salad
Rolls ~ Deviled Eggs
Light Coconut Pie and Light Chocolate Pie
I tried a new potato dish that was really good, but healthier by tweaking just a few ingredients!
Baked Potato Casserole
8 medium potatoes (about 2 1/2 to 3 lb. total), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 cup Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups (8-oz. pkg.) shredded 2% cheddar cheese, divided
6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided
Sliced green onions (optional)
Directions :
Place potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with water; bring to a boil. Cook over
medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender; drain.
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease 2 1/2- to 3-quart casserole dish.
Return potatoes to saucepan; add evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper.
Beat with hand-held mixer until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and half of bacon. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining 1/2 cupcheese,
remaining bacon and green onions. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
TIP:
This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated. Cover with foil and bake at 350° F for 40 to 45 minutes or until heated. Uncover; top with cheese,
bacon and green onions; bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
For dessert I made two pies from Cooking Light – Chocolate and Coconut. Both are still decadent!
We all splurged a bit for Easter, but maybe that was because we felt a little better about the healthier options in other food! Did you splurge at Easter or stay to the healthy side?
