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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
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
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
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
Garlic Ginger Green Beans

Garlic Ginger Green Beans by John Spottiswood

These are an excellent, healthy side dish to any grilled meat. I highly recommend them with the Chinese BBQ chicken recipe below, but honestly these would go well with just about anything. Unfortunately these were tapped out long before our chicken, so make more than you think you need. They are great the next day too!

6 votes
6284 views
Guacamole Tex-Mex

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!

4 votes
9525 views
Black Beans and Rice

Black Beans and Rice by John Spottiswood

A Cuban classic, this goes perfectly with all pork dishes, and also with poultry and fish.

3 votes
9748 views
Swedish Oatmeal Pancakes

Swedish Oatmeal Pancakes by John Spottiswood

I love my wife's traditional swedish pancake recipe. However, I feel much better when I eat a healthy breakfast of oatmeal, so I tried combining the two. I think the combination is wonderful. It still has the chewy, crepe-like texture of the traditional swedish pancake, with just a bit of nutty whole grain texture. Our kids say…

3 votes
6946 views
Korean potato side dish

Korean potato side dish by John Spottiswood

I always love these sweet and salty braised potatoes when they are served along with kimchi and various other side dishes at korean restaurants. I've always wanted to make them, and grilling Galbi gave me the perfect opportunity. I started with a recipe from maangchi.com and substituted a mix of sugar and mirin for the corn syrup…

3 votes
8995 views
Sweet Pickles In 15 Minutes. Just In Time For The 4th!

Sweet Pickles In 15 Minutes. Just In Time For The 4th! by kathy gori

It's been busy here in Sonoma getting ready for our annual 4th of July barbecue. In planning our menu this year, we decided to go for the traditional American organic beef burgers with all the fixings, two kinds of coleslaw, James Beards' sour cream slaw, a tart Indian cabbage dish, an Indian style potato salad, mixed wild greens…

3 votes
13727 views
Citrus Salsa

Citrus Salsa by Salad Foodie

Guaranteed to brighten your taste buds, this salsa makes a healthful snack or appetizer, and is delicious as a topping for fish or fish tacos. No added oil or fat, just veggie and citrus 'deliciousness' here!

3 votes
7477 views
Quick & Easy Fruit Compote with Vanilla Sauce (and a no-added sugar or low-sugar variation)

Quick & Easy Fruit Compote with Vanilla Sauce (and a no-added sugar or low-sugar variation) by Salad Foodie

A fruit compote on the table in 15 minutes? Here's a dessert kids (and kids of all ages) will love. Start with a can of fruit cocktail, add some chopped fruit in season, and make a simple vanilla sauce to top it. (This dessert converts easily to a…

3 votes
4457 views
Honey-Ginger Glazed Carrots

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…

2 votes
5926 views
beetroot raita (Step by Step with photo)

beetroot raita (Step by Step with photo) by swati paathak

Beetroot raita is a healthy and bright colored, beautiful looking raita. This pink colored raita is the best ever with Parathas or as a side dish along with your main course meal.

2 votes
3018 views