Tag Archives: Sides

Sides

Curried Lentils

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The ginger was the big flavor in this dish and that’s all right by me ! Ginger and cumin just belong on lentils. This is not a super low cal side, so serve it next to a lighter dish like fish or chicken.

Curried Lentils
Curried Lentils

6 servings
186 calories per serving

1 ½ c dry lentils, rinsed and drained
6 c water
1 t ground cumin
1 t oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 t chili and garlic sauce (available in the Asian section of your market)
1 t powdered ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
½ t ground turmeric
½ t salt
2 T chopped cilantro

Bring lentils and water to boil then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, 45 minutes. Once in a while, spoon off the foam that appears on the top of the pot. Heat a skillet and add cumin, oil and onion and cook about 5 minutes. Add tomato and chili sauce and continue cooking until tomato is very broken down, about 5 minutes. When lentils are tender and water is absorbed mix all together except the cilantro and cook 15 minutes. Add cilantro just before serving.

Appetizers, Dinner, Kid Friendly, Sides, Snacks

Potato Skins

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These are very filling and make a great snack, appetizer or even a side to a low cal fish dish. You can always dress them up with more ‘stuff’ and just each one to keep the calorie count down – they are very filling, so one should do as a side. Tye adding some cooked crumbled turkey bacon, or some extra low fat cheddar cheese…maybe even some caramelized onions !

Potato Skins
Potato Skins

4 servings
262 calories per serving

4 large potatoes (8 oz. each)
2 t oil
¼ c parmesan cheese
½ c skim milk
3 T low fat cream cheese
¾ t salt
¼ t pepper
3 T low fat sour cream
3 T sliced scallions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wash the potatoes and prick them with a fork. Microwave on high 10 minutes, then turn and microwave another 5 minutes. Let cook a bit and then slice in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flash keep the skins intact. Place the skins on a cookie sheet and brush with the oil and sprinkle with 2 t of the parmesan cheese. Bake 10 minutes or until golden. Meantime mix the rest of the parmesan with the potato, milk, cream cheese, salt and pepper. When skins are toasty, fill with the potato mix and bake another 7-9 minutes or until hot throughout. Dollop with sour cream and sprinkle with scallion just before serving.

Dinner, Italian, Kid Friendly, Pasta, Sides

Herbed Orzo

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Orzo is just one of my most favorite side dishes. It has to come in smaller portions nowadays, but it still fit into the meal plan, especially when served simply with lemon and cut up herbs.

Herbed Orzo
Herbed Orzo

4 servings
170 calories per serving

1 c dry orzo
3 T chopped fresh herbs (one or a mix – parsley, basil, cilantro, etc.)
2 t lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and mix with the remaining ingredients.

Dinner, Lunch, Salads, Sides, Summer, Vegetables

Zesty Coleslaw

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The mustard in the slaw is a nice unexpected flavor – it was not too much, just enough to be interesting without overpowering the dish. How can you beat coleslaw – only 45 calories per serving !

Zesty Coleslaw
Zesty Coleslaw

8 servings
45 calories per serving

8 c coarsely shredded cabbage
1 large carrot, grated
½ c fat free mayo
2 T white vinegar
2 T pineapple juice
3 T spicy brown mustard
1 ½ T sugar
1/8 t pepper
¼ t salt

Combine cabbage and carrot. In another bowl combine all the rest of the ingredients and then pour over the cabbage and toss well. Chill in the refrigerator.

Salads, Sides

Salad with Warm Brie Dressing

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The brie gives a nice flavor and texture to the dressing – nothing with brie can ever be bad ! 😉

Salad with Warm Brie Dressing
Salad with Warm Brie Dressing

4 servings
75 calories

2 heads Boston or Green Leaf lettuce, torn into small pieces
1 oz. brie or brie spread
½ c fat free Italian dressing (or any other vinegar based fat free dressing)

Place lettuce on individual plates. Cube the cheese. Microwave dressing 30 seconds or until thoroughly heated, then stir in cheese until melted and pour over lettuce.

Appetizers, Sides, Summer, Vegetables

Cucumber Bites

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These cucumber bites make a great appetizer or side on a lunch platter.

Cucumber Bites
Cucumber Bites

4 servings
90 calories per serving

1/2 c shredded carrot
1/2 c 1/4 less fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese with Chive and Onions
2 cucumbers

Keep 2 T of carrots aside for garnish. Mix the rest of the carrots and cream cheese. Cut cucumber in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place cheese mix in cucumbers. Cut each half into 5 pieces. Top each piece with leftover carrots.

Salads, Sides, Summer, Vegetables

Zucchini with Lemon and Cilantro

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This was great served warm and equally as good chilled. The lemon and cilantro flavorings are what make this a really tasty side salad.

Zucchini with Lemon and Cilantro
Zucchini with Lemon and Cilantro

4 servings
69 calories per serving

1 ½ lb. zucchini (about 3), cubed
1T oil
Coarse salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 T fresh lemon juice
1 T fresh cilantro, chopped

Heat oil in a large skillet and add the zucchini and toss then season with salt and pepper and cook about 5 minutes letting cubes brown a bit. Add lemon juice and cilantro and mix well. Season with more salt and pepper and serve.

Kid Friendly, Sides, Vegetables

Baked Potatoes

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A baked potato sounds simple enough but one not done right is bad…and one done good is just GREAT! What makes a good potato? A nice crispy salted skin and fluffy, perfectly cooked insides ! After many years of trying a dozen methods here is the one I like best…

Baked Potato
Baked Potato

2 servings
160 calories per serving

2 medium baking potatoes
Salt
Molly McButter or I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray
Chives

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash potatoes and poke several times with a fork. Salt the outside of the potatoes if you plan on eating the skins. Place in a microwave and oven safe dish and microwave on full power 7 minutes. Take dish from microwave and place in oven and cook 15 -30 minutes as you prep the rest of your dinner. If you have something else in the oven that needs it to be a little lower or higher temperature, no worries – the potatoes will be fine at the alternate temperature.

If you are using larger sized potatoes, increase the microwave time a few minutes.

Split potatoes and prepare with ICBINB spray and sprinkle with salt and chives. Another great low cal topping for potatoes is salsa – – for just 40 calories you can load a 1/2 cup on top of your potato !

Dinner, Sides

Home Fries

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If you can resist the urge to stir these, the outsides get so nice and crispy ! Combine that with the soft and fluffy insides and it’s quite a taste treat. The dry mustard gives these an unexpected flavor – very subtle but still noticeable.

Home Fries
Home Fries

6 servings
122 calories per serving

1 T oil
1 ½ lb. small red potatoes cooked and quartered (to cook, boil in unsalted water 15 minutes or until tender)
2 medium shallots, chopped
1 t paprika
½ t parsley flakes
½ t dry mustard
¼ t salt
¼ t pepper

In a large skillet heat oil on medium high heat. Add potatoes and cook on one side 3-4 minutes. Resist the urge to stir 🙂 If you let them sit, they will get a nice brown ‘skin’ and taste so much better ! Turn potatoes, add shallots and cook another 4 minutes or so. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Saute 1-2 minutes or until potatoes are completely done.

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