My current major cooking issues. Side Dishes! ARRRRGGGGG!!!!
 

Ok, who doesnt have this problem?

I can come up with an entree like nobody's business but the sides are killing me!

Salad. great who doesnt do that?
Carrots
Asparagus
Summer Squash
corn
peas
green beans
brocclii.
potato
rice


OK Great. that is the list. pretty much everyone does that stuff, but im tired of the same ole same ole!


Anybody got an idea different than the norm? or even a different way to prepare the norm?????

Ferd, take the normal sides and put a twist on them...wrap your asparagus in prosciutto, serve broccoli quiche, make a good succotash with your squash. One of our favorite ways to eat green beans is to wrap them in bacon with a water chestnut, (secure with a toothpick) brush with hoisin sauce and broil.

My favorite: www.epicurious.com

Not Your Grandma's Succotash

1 bag frozen lima beans
16 oz. corn (frozen is better than canned, fresh is even better)
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
olive oil
1 Tbs. butter
2 yellow squash, cubed
1/2 lb. bacon, crispy fried and crumbled
coarse black pepper
kosher salt

Saute onion & garlic in oil and butter until onions are transparent; add lima beans, corn and squash; saute over medium heat just until squash is tender. Remove from heat, season to taste, and top with crumbled bacon. I like to add a squeeze of lemon and some lemon zest, but it depends on what you like....

For salad...try something new...like edible flowers.... :-)

I love tempura green beans with ranch dip.awesome.

You guys are terrible.

bacon fat?
fried stuff?

egads! dont you understand i dont need any more fat in my diet?

but that Succotash looks great!

more please?

Are you going for "healthy" or "cheap"? 'Cause let me tell ya, there's nothing like a good old 99 cent box of macaroni & cheese or Rice-a-Roni to add a FILLING side dish to your meal.

Then again, I'm going a little redneck on you. Next thing you know, I'll be recommending fried green tomatoes...

I will tell you one thing that never seems to get old around my house. Take any veggies that you like, place them on a cookie sheet in a single layer, season, sprinkle with olive oil, stick in the oven at a hi temp and let em go for 15 min or so! Or stick those veggies in some reynold's wrap packs with seasoning and oil (or a couple tablespoons of margarine-my fave!) and cook at 350 for about the same amount of time! This is so versatile, you can put anything in it. I like garlic, onion, squash, potato, carrot, and bell pepper.

Hey I looked at a recipe today for that it was fried green tomatoes on a bed of baby spinich with ranch dressing on the side.

Forget Freds no fried food.I love them and I am on a diet and losing.It depends what you fry and in what you fry it.
I love the green beans.
Speaking of Mac and cheese have you ever had TGIF's fried mac and cheese
appetizer? Its awesome.

Bake sweet potatoes.I always keep some of those going in fall and winter
or just baked potatoes.

Gee ya know... I went to someones house recently and we had that same recipe... ROFL... actually I was thinking that then I looked at the name of the person who posted this and realized......... DUH I WAS AT YOUR HOUSE!!! LOL

Try vegetarian cookbooks they have great recipes for veggies.