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Red beans and rice

Red beans and rice by John Spottiswood

I've adapted this recipe from a number that I have used in the past. You can deviate from this and it is still delicious! Normally, I serve this with a jerk marinated chicken or pork, but it also goes well with grilled fish, steak and many other treats. If you serve it with something that isn't spicy, try adding some of the spices…

47 votes
77575 views
Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Broccoli by John Spottiswood

This roasted broccoli recipe, adapted from the Barefoot Contessa, is really wonderful. It has a lot of flavor. We served it with a mild pasta, and it was just a wonderful combination. Don't be worried by the lemon juice and zest. They impart a subtle flavor that adds a nice dimension to this dish.

25 votes
21183 views
Brussel Sprouts Sauteed in Garlic & Olive Oil

Brussel Sprouts Sauteed in Garlic & Olive Oil by John Spottiswood

This is a simple, tasty side dish to add to your menu. I've adapted it from Marcella Hazan's recipes for other vegetables. It tastes GREAT with Brussel Sprouts. Broccoli is good too.

25 votes
63857 views
Stir-Fried Broccoli with Chili-Garlic Sauce

Stir-Fried Broccoli with Chili-Garlic Sauce by John Spottiswood

My father-in-law has become an amazing cook, and he made this as part of our Easter lunch this year with the fabulous pork tenderloin recipe (see linked below). This version isn't gloppy with extra sauce like you find in many Chinese take out places. It's very flavorful but also relatively light and healthful. He made a TON of it,…

18 votes
42224 views
Lentils, rice and fried onions (Mujadarrah)

Lentils, rice and fried onions (Mujadarrah) by Nancy Miyasaki

This is a tasty and healthy side dish that goes well with just about anything. It's filling without being too heavy, and tastes great as leftovers too.

14 votes
16887 views
Basmati Rice with Herbs

Basmati Rice with Herbs by Nancy Miyasaki

This is an excellent, flavorful side dish that goes really well with fish, shrimp, or chicken. It's like a mild version of a Briyani...easy to make and full of healthy ingredients. I thought the Parmesan cheese was weird addition, but the flavor blends nicely and it isn't over powering. Enjoy!

11 votes
19424 views
Brussels

Brussels by John Spottiswood

No not the country famous for Beer, Diamonds and Waffles, but a rather a tested method to make anyone eat Brussel Sprouts. Serve as a side to steak, chicken piccata, or just over steamed rice. Provided and tested by my good friend Brian Bedrosian.

11 votes
5049 views
Easy Pan Fried Tomatoes

Easy Pan Fried Tomatoes by Nancy Miyasaki

This recipe is incredibly easy and really tasty. We're healthy eaters, so frying tomatoes isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But you have got to taste these. Amazing! Disclosure: we used fresh tomatoes from our garden that were really flavorful. You may not get the same results with less flavorful tomatoes. We served with…

11 votes
21639 views
Potatoes With Parsley and Garlic - Pommes Parsillade

Potatoes With Parsley and Garlic - Pommes Parsillade by John Spottiswood

These are the fantastic potatoes you've probably had in a french bistro...the ones that weren't pommes frites (french fries). They are best served immediately when the crisp exterior contrasts so nicely with the warm, soft interior. We served these with a lentils and sausage recipe that I will post shortly. The combination was…

10 votes
4696 views
Green Beans with Basil and Tomato

Green Beans with Basil and Tomato by John Spottiswood

This is an attractive and tasty side dish. The butter, basil and tomato adds a nice flavor boost to the green beans. I've made them with garlic salt and regular kosher salt, both are delicious. If you want to spice it up, add more black pepper or substitute crushed red pepper for the black pepper.

9 votes
7519 views
Cauliflower & Potatoes ~ Indian style

Cauliflower & Potatoes ~ Indian style by Amos Miller

I have never been a really big fan of cauliflower, but I love potatoes and spices. This dish, known as 'Alu Ghobi', has long been a favorite vegetable side dish in my kitchen. It is simple, easy to make and very healthy for you. One seldom finds a cauliflower dish on the average restaurant menu. But you need not be a…

8 votes
21525 views
Lemon & Garlic Green Beans

Lemon & Garlic Green Beans by John Spottiswood

It is rare to have a side dish which everyone keeps reaching for instead of the main dish. That's especially true if its a fairly simple green vegetable side. But these green beans were truly that good. We used packaged, thin french cut green beans from Trader Joes. They are tender and tasty on their own, but I've never had them taste…

8 votes
33840 views
Rice with bell pepper and peanuts

Rice with bell pepper and peanuts by Mary Shaldibina

Very tasty and fast cooking

8 votes
10941 views
Asparagus and Shitake Mushrooms

Asparagus and Shitake Mushrooms by John Spottiswood

Quickly sauteed asparagus and shitake mushrooms with fresh ginger makes a really spectacular dish. This has a light, Asian flavor that would go well with fish or poultry as well as beef (which we served it alongside). This could easily be cooked in a wok if you have one handy, though a large saute pan will work equally well. We…

8 votes
3441 views
Homemade Refried Beans

Homemade Refried Beans by John Spottiswood

I'm ashamed to say that though I LOVE refried beans, this is the first time I've ever made them myself. It's just so easy to buy them in a can, or at a mexican restaurant, that I haven't bothered. But this recipe is simple and it is definitely worth the effort in my mind. I figure my kids are the true test, since they aren't that…

7 votes
8467 views