Tag Archives: side

Lemony New Potato Salad

June 5, 2012 admin Leave a comment

This tastes much like a German potato salad since it does not use mayo. But instead of vinegar, this one uses fresh lemon and tons of great fresh herbs to make a bright, fresh potato salad that is a sure hit !

6 servings
207 calories per serving

1 ½ lb. small new potatoes, sliced ½ inch thick
2 t lemon zest
¼ c lemon juice
Kosher salt and ground pepper
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs, such as a combination of chives, parsley, and basil
2 T oil

Steam potatoes 15-20 minutes or until tender. Mix lemon zest, lemon, salt and pepper and pour over cooked potatoes. Refrigerate 1 hour. Mix herbs and oil and mix into cooled potatoes. Chill for an hour or more so flavors mingle. Stir again just before serving.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Mexican, Sides

Rice and Beans

May 31, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Can you say YUMMY?!?!?! This is such a great QUICK and EASY recipe, yet the results taste like you’ve been in the kitchen for hours. This is an ample serving. You could easily just have half a serving for a side and still have room in your calories for some fish or chicken on the side.

4 servings
400 calories per serving

1 ½ c chopped green peppers
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T oil
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilies
15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 ¼ c water
2 c Minute brown rice
¼ c cilantro chopped
1 c low far shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby or Monterey Jack)

In a large skillet on high heat, heat the oil and cook the peppers and garlic 2 minutes then add tomatoes, beans and water. Bring to a boil and stir in rice and reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer 5 minutes then remove from heat and stir in cilantro and top with cheese. Let stand 5 minutes, covered.

Dinner, Salads, Sides, Vegetables

Broccoli Tomato Side Salad

May 12, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Simple yet special with the addition of the cheese and sunflower seeds. Serve this up and watch it disappear !

8 servings
108 calories per serving

6 c broccoli florets, chopped coarsely
1 c grape tomatoes, halved
1 c shredded low fat cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
2 T sunflower seeds
½ c light vinaigrette dressing
1 T Splenda
2 t Dijon mustard

Mix broccoli, tomatoes, cheese, and seeds. Mix dressing, Splenda and mustard and then mix with veggies.

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Parmesan Veggies

May 1, 2012 admin Leave a comment

The cheese just melts into the marinade and really coats all the veggies – every bite is so full of flavor 🙂

8 servings
60 calories per serving

2 zucchini cut into ½ inch thick slices
2 yellow squash cut into ½ inch thick slices
1 red pepper cut into strips
1 green pepper cut into strips
1 yellow pepper cut into strips
1/3 c light Italian dressing
¼ c grated parmesan cheese
Pam

Spray a skillet with Pam and heat to medium high. Add veggies and sauté 5 minutes. Add dressing and cheese and continue cooking 5 minutes or until veggies are desired tenderness (I like mine pretty crisp).

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Roasted Pesto Tomatoes

April 27, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Warmed tomatoes are so flavorful – the heat just sweetens them and intensifies the already great taste. Add a little pesto and you get a divine side dish that can be served next to anything.

4 servings
142 calories per serving

12 plum tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
1 T oil
1/4 t salt
1/8 t red pepper flakes
1/4 c pesto

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray a baking sheet with Pam. Mix the tomatoes with oil, salt, pesto and the pepper flakes and place on baking sheet. Bake 30 minutes and serve immediately.

Asian, Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Bean Sprout Stir Fry

April 26, 2012 admin Leave a comment

This is a great low cal side and is perfect alongside an Asian inspired dish. If you can’t find fresh bean sprouts, the canned ones work just fine here !

4 servings
81 calories per serving

4 cups mung bean sprouts
½ c scallions, sliced
6 t ginger root, minced
2 T garlic, sliced
½ t salt
1 t pepper
1 T oil

Heat oil and stir fry ginger and garlic for 1 minute then add sprouts, scallions, salt and pepper. Continue to cook 2-3 minutes then serve.

Asian, Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Tomatoes with Ginger Dressing

April 21, 2012 admin Leave a comment

This ginger dressing rivals those served at Japanese steakhouse. Make a batch up and use it on salads and even atop fresh tomatoes as a great side dish to any meal.

3 servings
167calories per serving

2 T minced onion
3 T peanut oil
2 T distilled white vinegar
1 1/2 T finely grated fresh ginger
1T ketchup
1 T soy sauce
1/4 t minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
2 medium tomatoes, sliced thinly

Combine onion, oil, vinegar, ginger, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic, salt and pepper in a blender. Process until combined. Lay tomato slices on a platter and drizzle with dressing.

Dinner, Sides, Summer

Quick Potato Salad

April 17, 2012 admin Leave a comment

No peeling, quick boil time, easy dressing – this one is GREAT ! You could not even guess that low fat yogurt makes up half the dressing 🙂

8 servings
112 calories per serving

1 ½ lb. small new potatoes quartered (16 or so)
1 c celery, sliced thin
1 c sliced baby carrots
1/3 c light mayonnaise
1/3 c plain low fat yogurt
¼ c thinly sliced green onions
2 T white vinegar
¼ t pepper
½ t salt

Cook potatoes 8-10 minutes in salted water. Add carrots and celery and cook another 4 minutes. Drain and place in a bowl and chill 2 – 24 hours. Mix mayo, yogurt, onions, vinegar, salt and pepper. Cover and chill until ready to serve. When ready to serve mix dressing with potatoes.

Dinner, Italian, Pasta, Sides

Parmesan Orzo

April 12, 2012 admin Leave a comment

There is so much cheesy goodness in this side dish – don’t think of it as pasta with a sprinkling of cheese. It is much more pasta with a gooey, yummy cheese sauce.

4 servings
263 calories per serving

2 T butter
1 c uncooked orzo
1 14.5 oz. can chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 c chopped fresh basil
Salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in a sauce pan and sauté orzo until lightly browned. Add the broth and bring to a boil then cover and reduce heat to low and cook 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Mix in cheese, basil, salt and pepper.

Dinner, Salads, Sides, Vegetables

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.