A New Side Dish for Delicious Variety!

July 27, 2020July 27, 2020 RefreshHerLeave a comment

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!

Two Southern Dishes for Christmas

December 23, 2019December 21, 2019 RefreshHer13 Comments

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.

This recipe is amazingly delicious! The crust is not pastry, but cheddar cheese grits. Continue reading “Two Southern Dishes for Christmas” →

Side dish · Thanksgiving

Delicious Thanksgiving Sides

November 18, 2019November 18, 2019 RefreshHer12 Comments

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” →

Gluten-Free · salad · Side dish

Spinach Salad With a Twist

April 23, 2018April 23, 2018 RefreshHer2 Comments

Meals can get boring if you don’t change things up a bit. I’ve found it’s all about The Sides! If you make your famous meatloaf or pork loin and just add a couple of different sides to along with it, it turns it into a brand new meal!

I love salads of all kinds, and a Spinach Salad is right up there with my favorites! I love this old standard, Continue reading “Spinach Salad With a Twist” →

dinner in 30 minutes · Side dish

Fast Yellow Squash Side Dish

September 18, 2017September 17, 2017 RefreshHer5 Comments

This Friday will mark the first day of fall! However, fresh produce is still available in the grocery stores, if not in your local farmer’s market. If you have access to fresh yellow squash, I have the perfect side dish that doesn’t require the frying method! This also goes into the category of prepared in under 10 minutes! This is healthy, delicious and fast – what a great combination! Here’s the recipe:

Yellow Squash Ribbons W/Red Onion and Parmesan

Ingredients

4 medium yellow squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup thinly vertically sliced red onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shaved fresh Parmesan cheese

How to Make It

Step 1

Using a vegetable peeler, shave squash into ribbons to measure 5 cups. Discard seeds and core of squash.

Step 2

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add squash, onion, and garlic; cook 4 minutes or until onion is tender, gently stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add salt, red pepper, and black pepper, and toss gently to combine. Sprinkle with cheese.

yellow squash 3

Grilled chicken would be good with this dish. When I fixed it recently I did all vegetables. It was so refreshing and light! I hope you’ll try this! Even for people who might not love squash, peeling it so thinly is a great disguise!

Enjoy!