Category Archives: Sides

Cucumber Raita

This Indian condiment / sauce is great served next to any spicy dish. It will remind you of tzatziki because of the cucumber and yogurt, but the similarity ends there with a whole different flavor combination from the green peppers and cilantro. This is so refreshing and at 23 calories per serving, you can serve it next to just about anything.

Cucumber Raita
Cucumber Raita

7 ¼ c servings
23 calories per serving

8 oz. plain low fat yogurt
2 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped or grated
¼ c finely chopped green bell pepper
2 T finely chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
¼ t ground cumin
Black pepper
¼ t salt

Whisk yogurt and add all the rest of the ingredients other than the pepper. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Sprinkle with pepper just before serving.

Tomato, Egg and Cucumber Salad

Though the dressing is a simple vinegar and oil mix, this salad does not lack in flavor. The egg yolks and tomatoes give this most of its flavor. Try making a nice big serving dish instead of placing on individual bowls – it makes a pretty centerpiece to a party table 🙂

Tomato, Egg and Cucumber Salad
Tomato, Egg and Cucumber Salad

4 servings
190 calories per serving

4 large eggs, hardboiled and sliced
½ c balsamic vinegar
4 t oil
2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
½ head lettuce separated into leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Set on medium heat and bring to a boil. Cover and keep at a low boil 2 minutes. Shut heat, but leave eggs in pan and covered for 13 more minutes. Then rinse eggs under cold water. Refrigerate eggs for ½ hour as they will peel easier this way. Combine oil and vinegar. Place the lettuce leaves down and then add the tomatoes and cucumbers to the plates. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and then pour over the dressing. Finally place the egg slices on top of each plate.

Lemon Curried Pea Salad

This is a great salad to serve next to eastern inspired dishes such as Chicken Satay.

Lemon Curried Pea Salad
Lemon Curried Pea Salad

8 servings
80 calories per serving

Salad:
15 oz. can black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
11 oz. can corn, drained
½ c chopped red onion
½ c thinly sliced celery
1 t finely shredded lemon peel

Dressing:
2 T lemon juice
1 T water
1 t oil
1 clove garlic, minced
½ t curry powder
½ t Dijon mustard
1/8 t pepper

Mix salad ingredients in a bowl. Whisk together dressing ingredients and toss with salad. Cover and refrigerate several hours for flavors to mingle.

Asian Garden Salad

Simple, low cal, nutritious and a nice change from your regular green salad!

Asian Garden Salad
Asian Garden Salad

6 servings
126 calories per serving

1/3 c thinly sliced scallions
4 T soy sauce
3 T water
2 c boiling water
1 ½ t sesame oil
¼ t garlic powder
¼ t red pepper flakes
1 3 oz. package low fat ramen noodle soup
2 c boiling water
2 c fresh pea pods, halved crosswise
1 c fresh bean sprouts
1 c sliced mushrooms
8 oz. can baby corn, drained and halved crosswise
1 red bell pepper cut into small strips
3 c shredded Chinese cabbage

Combine green onions, soy, water, oil, garlic powder and red pepper flakes and set aside. Break up ramen noodles and discard seasoning packet. Add peapods and pour 2 c boiling water over the mix and let stand 1 minute and then drain. Combine noodles, pea pods, bean sprouts, mushrooms, corn and peppers in a bowl. Shake dressing and toss with the noodle mix. Cover and chill 2 – 24 hours. Just before serving add cabbage.

Garlicky Oven Fries

Oven fries can get very dry – but with a few tricks, they are delicious and you won’t even be missing your fried fries. First, use some chicken or vegetable broth to give the potatoes some moisture. You can even add a little extra during the cooking process to keep the potatoes moist. And then at the very end, spray with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray for a buttery flavor and much added moisture.

Garlicky Oven Fries
Garlicky Oven Fries

4 servings
139 calories per serving

½ c chicken broth
1 t garlic powder
1/8 t pepper
4 medium baking potatoes, scrubbed, and cut lengthwise into shoestring potato size
Pam
ICBINB Spray
Kosher salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine broth, garlic powder and pepper and add potatoes and toss. Spray baking sheet and arrange potatoes in a single layer and bake 40 minutes or until crisp and golden. Stir several times during the baking process. If you want them a little browner, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of the cooking process. When you remove them from the oven, spray with ICBINB Spray and sprinkle with salt.

Sesame Pea Pods

Crunchy, lite and colorful – – this makes a great side to just about any dinner.

Sesame Pea Pods
Sesame Pea Pods

6 servings
45 calories per serving

1 T sesame oil
½ lb. snow pea pods, strings removed
1 T sesame seeds
1 medium yellow bell pepper cut into thin strips

Heat oil in a skillet and add pea pods and oil and cook 2 minutes. Stir in pepper and cook 2 minutes more.

Macaroni Salad

This recipe was given to me by a friend and it is the most awesome mac salad – I think what makes the difference is that the onion and celery are so minced (rather than the typical chopped) that you get a coating of them on each and every noodle and that means lots of extra flavor per bite !

Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Salad

6 servings
232 calories per serving (312 per serving using regular pasta)

8 oz. FiberGormet rotini pasta or elbow noodles
1 small onion, minced very fine
1 c celery, minced very fine
1 c low fat mayo
1 T wine vinegar
2 t mustard
1 ½ t salt
¼ t pepper

Cook pasta according to package instructions and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Combine with all the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate at least 4 hours so flavors mingle. Let sit out 10 minutes before serving so the dressing warms up a bit and mix well again.

NOTE: I mince the celery and onion together in a food processor, but you can do it by hand if you wish

Cheesy Spinach and Rice

Serving a combo veggie and starch side always cuts down on the work of a meal. This one is packed with wholesome spinach and cheesy enough to make it a welcome addition to any meal.

Cheesy Spinach and Rice
Cheesy Spinach and Rice

6 servings
140 calories per serving

2 c cooked instant white rice
9oz. package frozen spinach
¼ c Egg Beaters
¼ c slim milk
1 T minced onion flakes
½ t onion garlic powder
¼ t salt
½ t basil flakes
1 c (4 oz.) low fat shredded swiss cheese
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook rice according to package instructions using no margarine or oil. Spray an 8×8 baking pan with Pam. Microwave spinach until warm, 3 minutes or so and then place in a colander and press out all the liquid then combine with rice and all the rest of the ingredients except the cheese. Place in prepared dish and sprinkle with cheese. Cover with foil and cook 15 minutes. Then uncover and cook an additional 7 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Alternately, replace swiss cheese with parmesan cheese and you’ll get a whole different flavor here.

Spinach Orzo

Sometimes nothing will do but pasta ! And orzo is one of my favorites ! This recipe is great served next to a lighter fish or chicken dish and you get in lots of veggies along with the pasta. Sometimes I leave out the parmesan if it will not match well with the flavors of the other dinner components – and it tastes just as great without it.

Spinach Orzo
Spinach Orzo

8 servings
160 calories per serving

2 t margarine
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ c coarsely shredded carrot
4 c fat free chicken broth
2 c orzo
3 c thinly sliced fresh spinach
3 T grated parmesan cheese
1 T chopped basil
Salt and pepper to taste

Melt margarine and cook garlic and carrot 2 minutes then stir in broth, pasta and spinach. Heat to boiling and then reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes or until broth is absorbed. Stir in the rest of the ingredients just before serving.

Asian Salad

Though the dish packs some calories, it is all good MUFA calories – olive oil, seeds, nuts. So I go ahead and eat it as a lunch instead of a side. The dressing is just superb – the soy added to the Italian dressing gives it such an Asian flair. And the added crunch from the ramen noodles make this a great salad !

Asian Salad
Asian Salad

12 servings
260 calories per serving

1 envelope Good Seasons Italian Salad dressing mix
1/3 c sugar
2 T soy sauce
2 3 oz. Packages of ramen noodles
2 16 oz. bags of coleslaw blend
4 green onions, sliced
½ c roasted sunflowers
½ c sliced almonds

Prepare salad dressing mix according to package instructions. Stir in sugar and soy. Break noodles and discard seasoning packet. Add coleslaw, onions, seeds and nuts, Mix and add dressing and toss to coat well.

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