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.

Roasted Corn & Tomato Salad with Basil Balsamic Dressing by Amos Miller

Super simple Summer salad! Almost a relish, yet offering opportunity for countless variations, this is picnic & BBQ perfect. On these hot summer days, you may not want to fire up the broiler, but this salad is so easy to bring together that when the coals are ready on the grill, just lay the unhusked ears of sweet corn over the…

Butter Lettuce and Avocado salad with Citrus Vinaigrette by John Spottiswood

I'm a sucker for fresh butter lettuce with citrus and avocado. I adapted this recipe (rather major adaptions) from a recipe in the America's Test Kitchen Menu's cookbook. I thought the salad, and the dressing in particular, was just amazing. The mayo, Dijon and honey balance nicely with tanginess of the tangerine juice. If you are…

Tomato and Avocado Salad by John Spottiswood

This is a wonderful salad. Steeping the avocado in the lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper for an hour before serving is a real key to the flavor. We served this with small but flavorful tomatoes, so instead of the presentation recommended below, we just tossed everything together and served it. If I had big slices of heirloom…

Romaine Salad with Lemon-Parmesan Dressing by Nancy Miyasaki

A simple but fantastic salad with a very nice dressing. Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes add depth and flavor to this salad. We all really enjoyed this. Another amazing dish from my good friend Marci Chan!

Guacamole Tex-Mex by Amos Miller

Super simple - fast - packs just enough punch. It will be the best you ever tasted. Bring on the cervesas, margaritas - and lots of quality tortilla chips! Just like Chipotle - but homemade!

Easy Candied Pecans by Salad Foodie

A snack for the gods! Sprinkle atop your favorite greens, blue cheese topped or chicken salad. For holiday entertaining leave the pecans in halves rather than chopping, and serve in a festive bowl.

Cowgirl's Cowboy Caviar by Smokinhotchef

Packed with zing and superfood ingredients, this take on Cowboy Caviar is sure to please. Super fresh ingredients send this recipe from a trot to an all out gallop! Not to mention it's vegetarian and delicious! Sometimes those two words don't go hand in hand. This is a fabulous supplement to any tex-mex meal or side-car to chicken…

Honey-Ginger Glazed Carrots by John Spottiswood

This is a standard side dish for us when we're serving an asian-inspired meal. It's also great with any grilled meat. The honey brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots and the ginger gives a bit of spice to balance the sweetness. Orange zest and juice gives a nice acidity to the dish. If you make this, it will likely become…

Spinach and Mozzarella Pockets by Michelle

Whoever created Pillsbury Crescent Rolls is a genius. Yes, they make good rolls, but you can make so many different recipes with them, including this super fast spinach and mozzarella pockets. I eat these for dinner or take them to work and heat them in the microwave the next day. Either way you eat them, they taste excellent, and…

Mediterranean Summer Salad by Amos Miller

This Spanish-influenced salad is refreshing anytime you have it - from a dinner party to a picnic lunch. Bright notes of lime and cilantro. the wonderful pairing of sweet onion and navel orange, the sensuously smooth silkiness of avocado and tomato, all set off by the crisp crunch of toasted almond slices and the elegant earthiness…

Quinoa with Fresh Corn and Mint by John Spottiswood

This is a great quinoa dish to serve alongside fish or chicken. I have grown to love quinoa, and it is perfect for this dish. But this would also be great with Israeli cous cous, regular cous cous, pearl barley or even jasmine rice if you are not a fan of quinoa. The mix of flavors is amazing! Try this when fresh corn is cheap and…

Glazed Carrots by Nancy Miyasaki

I made these carrots to be a sweet, vegetable side to go with the Caribbean Pork we made tonight. I wanted something that would be sweet like plantains, and these did the job perfectly. I adapted this from a Cook's Illustrated recipe, and I think the technique is a good one. They'd be nice as a a side with any grilled meat.

Broccoli Carrot Raisin Salad by Deepti Naik

Mix Bean Salad by MANJULA

This one will fit in your new food plate and your wallet perfectly. The healthiest salad of all..A great way to add fiber in your diet.