Category Archives: Sides

Pepper and Bean Salad

March 26, 2012 admin Leave a comment

A great side dish that tastes just as good cold as it does warm. This is one you will definitely make again 🙂

8 servings
60 calories per serving

2 shallots, cut into thin slices
1/2 c vinaigrette dressing
1 lb. green beans
1/4 c water
1 red pepper, cut into thin strips
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat skillet and add half the dressing. Add the onions and cook 8 minutes or until tender. Add the beans and the water and stir well then cover the pan and cook on medium for 5 minutes. Finally add peppers and recover and cook another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add in the rest of the dressing, salt and pepper.

Dinner, Mediterranean, Salads, Sides

Greek Chickpea and Potato Salad

March 24, 2012 admin Leave a comment

This is a great side dish – flavorful, healthy and easy to put together. Serve beside a lunch sandwich or next to BBQ’d meats at diner.

6 servings
165 calories per serving

2 T cold vegetable broth
2 T lemon juice
1 t grated lemon zest
1 T Dijon mustard
1 lb, red new potatoes, quartered
2 scallions, sliced
15 oz. chickpeas, drained and rinsed
6 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved
2 oz. black olives, chopped
3 t oregano flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

To make the dressing whisk the broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper and mustard. Set aside. Steam potatoes 15-20 minutes or until tender. Place in bowl and pour over half the dressing. Mix well and then cool for 15 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and the rest of the dressing and mix well. Serve at room temperature.

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Broccoli and Shallots

March 23, 2012 admin Leave a comment

I’m forever on a quest to find new broccoli recipes. This is a nice simple one that makes a great dinner side dish.

4 servings
48 calories per serving

12 oz. broccoli florets
1 t butter
1 t oil
Salt and pepper to taste
3 T minced shallots

Boil water and cook broccoli for 5-6 minutes then drain. Heat butter and oil and add shallots and sauté for 3 minutes. Add in broccoli, salt, pepper and if you like it spicy, some red pepper flakes.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Sides

Louisiana Gumbo Side

March 22, 2012 admin Leave a comment

A quick, quick side that makes a meal special. Serve next to blackened fish or chicken for a great southern inspired meal.

3 servings
135 calories per serving

1 can Campbell’s Light Chicken Gumbo Soup
1 c water
1/8 t garlic powder
1/8 t onion powder
1 1/4 cups instant white rice
5 drops tabasco sauce

Mix soup, water and spices and bring to a boil. Add the rice and remove pan from heat and cover it. Let stand 5 minutes. Add tabasco and mix well. Serve immediately.

MUFAs, Salads, Sides, Summer

Simple Avocado Salad

March 20, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Get those MUFAs into your diet to help with your weight loss ! Avocado is a great way to achieve this.

1 serving
165 calories per serving

½ c sliced avocado
1 T low fat Zesty Italian Dressing

Mix it all up and serve next to soup or a light sandwich.

Whether you’re slicing avocados for sandwiches, salads or snacks, it’s nice to have pretty slices rather than gouged out chunks. Avocados are not the easiest things to work with – but they are well worth the work! Nothing tastes quite like an avocado. And there is now a kitchen tool out there that takes all the hard work out of it. Just slice your avocado in half, remove the pit, and then use the tool to do the rest. I made a quick video so you can see how they work.

And here is a link to buy one on Amazon !

Dinner, Mediterranean, Sides

Couscous Greek Style

March 19, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Add a little feta cheese to an already great side and you end up with an outstanding side dish that is sure to please.

6 servings
190 calories per serving

1 c whole wheat couscous, uncooked
1 ¼ c water
1 c halved cucumber slices
1 large tomato, chopped
4 oz. crumbled low fat feta cheese
1 t dill weed
1/2 cup light Italian Dressing

Cook couscous in boiling water without any butter or oil. When done, cool 15 minutes and then add in the rest of the ingredients.. Refrigerate to chill.

Dinner, Sides

Savory Couscous

March 17, 2012 admin Leave a comment

This is a great side, or you can eat is as your lunch. It is just as good chilled as it is fresh off the stove. This is a very versatile side – it goes with just about anything !

6 servings
190 calories per serving

1 c chicken broth
2/3 c couscous, uncooked
1 1/2 c peeled and chopped eggplant
1/3 c scallions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T peanut oil or vegetable oil
15 oz can petite diced tomatoes, well drained
2 T chopped basil
1/2 c chopped toasted walnuts or almonds

Bring broth to a boil them remove from heat and stir in couscous, cover and let stand 5 minutes. Heat oil in skillet and cook eggplant and scallions 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute. Then add in the couscous, tomato and basil and cook a minute or so to heat through. Finally add walnuts and serve immediately.

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Broccoli and Cheese

March 13, 2012 admin Leave a comment

A nice zesty way to serve up your broccoli !

6 servings
70 calories per serving

4 cups broccoli florets
3 T water
1/4 c Zesty Italian Dressing
1/2 c low fat mozzarella cheese

Place broccoli and water in a glass bowl and microwave 5 minutes or until somewhat tender then drain and toss with dressing and cheese. Serve immediately.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Sides

Creamy Rice

February 24, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Velvety. Smooth. Rich. Creamy Rice !

8 servings
170 calories per serving

1 small onion, chopped
1/4 c fat free Zesty Italian Dressing
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
14.5 oz. vegetable broth
1 c frozen peas
2 c instant white rice, uncooked
4 oz. low fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1 t grated lemon zest
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 c parmesan cheese

Heat a skillet and add dressing – heat 30 seconds. Then add onions and cook 5 minutes or until tender. Then add mushrooms and cook another 4 minutes or until tender. Add broth and peas and bring to a boil then stir in rice and cream cheese and cover. Remove from heat and let stand for 8 minutes then stir in zest, salt and pepper and parmesan.

Salads, Sides, Summer, Vegetables

Tomato Salad with Olives

February 22, 2012 admin Leave a comment

The saltiness of the kalamata olives makes this salad very tasty !

6 servings
60 calories per serving

2 lb. grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 c mixed olives (I use a mixture of black and kalamata)
Zest of one lemon
2 T olive oil
Kosher salt
Pepper

Mix all the ingredients and let sit ½ hour for the flavors to mingle.