This is a great side dish, and it could be easily scaled if you wanted to make it for a crowd. I use a brown rice mix to give it some variety, and add additional veggies/herbs that are in the fridge. This could also be done with wild rice, though the cooking time would be longer.
Side Dishes
Lemon-Olive Cous Cous
A great side for just about anything, but we especially liked it with grilled meats. This went very well with brined pork chops, and I think it would also make an excellent side for lamb as well. It’s also great on its own for lunch.
Spicy Squash
Easy side dish that goes well with lighter meals like fish or chicken.
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 yellow squash, sliced
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
- Pinch salt
- Cooking spray
Coat a nonstick pan with cooking spray over medium heat. Toss sliced squash with pepper flakes, dill, and salt. Sautee until lightly browned and cooked through.
Roasted Garlic Green Beans and Potatoes
Great little side dish that goes well with just about anything. I’ve served this with lamb, and also with roasted chicken and pork since the oven is already going and it’s easy to just toss it in. You can use any variety of potatoes, but my favorite is purple – very colorful!
- 1 bunch fresh green beans, trimmed
- 3-4 medium potatoes, course dice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
- crushed red pepper (optional)
Preheat oven to 400. Arrange green beans and potatoes on a baking sheet, and toss with oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Add a pinch of crushed red pepper if desired. Roast at 400 degrees until tender and lightly browned, about 20 minutes, tossing once.
Italian Pasta Salad
This is a great pasta salad to have as a meal or as a side at a picnic. Lots of flavor and easy to adjust to tastes. I got this one from Chowhound, and we made this one for our Memorial Day picnic.
Nutty Brown Rice
Great way to jazz up rice as a side dish. I really love this with pork or chicken.
- Short grain brown rice
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1 1⁄2 cups Mixed Nuts – walnuts and almonds go especially well
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup frozen green peas
Cook rice according to directions.
Heat butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat until foam subsides. Add nuts and cook, stirring, until butter and nuts are golden brown, about 4 minutes.
Add rice, peas and nutmeg to skillet and toss to coat, until peas are cooked through.
Corn Bread
Easy, light, fluffy and a little sweet. Great with salads or a summer dinner.
Om nom nom! 