Cuisine: Side dish

Roasted Squash with Lemon Tahini Sauce

Roasted Squash with Lemon Tahini Sauce makes an excellent side dish. You can really use any kind of squash. My sister-in-law, who lives in England, brought me a stack of recipes she has cut out of magazines. This recipe my nephew, Will, made. Oddly enough, it's from Bon Appetit. It was excellent. You can really use any kind of squash. I used a Kabocha and an Acorn squash in the recipe.

By Leslie Blythe

Sautéed Broccoli Rabe

Broccoli Rabe, also known as rapini or, “broccoletti” in Rome or “friarelli” in Naples is a common vegetable in the cuisines of southern Italy, especially in Naples. The flavor of rapini has been described as nutty, bitter, and pungent. Rapini is often sautéed with garlic. In Umbria and other Central Italy regions, rapini is sautéed with garlic, chili pepper and guanciale (guanciale is an unsmoked Italian bacon prepared with pig's jowl or cheeks) is a typical side dish for porchetta, grilled pork ribs and sausages and other pork dishes.

By Leslie Blythe

Sautéed Japanese Eggplant

Sautéed Japanese Eggplant is a very easy side dish. I made this earlier and served it at room temperature. Everyone LOVED it!

Japanese eggplant is the Western name given to dozens of Japanese eggplant varieties, both heirloom and hybrid. The most common of these varieties are Millionaire and Orient Express, both long, slender oblong shaped eggplants with glossy, purple-black, thin skin. The interior cream colored flesh is spongy and nearly seedless. Japanese eggplant's flavor is mild and because it is nearly seedless it doesn't possess that bitter quality found in Western and Thai varieties.

By Leslie Blythe

Broccoli Slaw

I bought a bag of broccoli slaw. I love regular coleslaw, but I think I like this better. You could use toasted almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds instead of pistachios. The bacon is also optional. I actually did't put bacon in mine, too lazy.

By Leslie Blythe

Herbed Steamed Rice

Herbed Steamed Rice - the fresh herbs really add a wonderful bright note to this rice. Every time I make something with tarragon, it's like I've used a mystery herb. Tarragon was very popular in the late 70s early 80s, but isn't used much now. This rice pairs well with Lyonnaise Chicken with Vinegar Sauce.

By Leslie Blythe

Israeli Couscous with Dried Cranberries, Apricots & Currants

This Israeli Couscous with Dried Cranberries, Apricots & Currants is such a colorful salad. I used Traders Joe's Harvest Grains Blend, which has a little bit of orzo, baby garbanzo beans and quinoa in it. You can just used plain Israeli couscous.

By Leslie Blythe

Purple Baby Artichokes in White Wine and Garlic

These beauties just came from the farmers market. The baby Purple artichoke is more properly and commonly known by its given name, Fiesole. They are easy to prepare, cook and eat because they haven’t developed the fuzzy portion of the choke in the center.

By Leslie Blythe

Roasted Balsamic Potatoes, Onions and Broccoli

Some of my best recipes have come off the packages of products. This one I found on the side of a bag of Pacific Gold Baby White Potatoes. It was one of those things that I happened to have all the ingredients and I have a daughter whose is mad keen for balsamic soaked anything. It goes well with Uncle Russell’s Flank Steak.

By Leslie Blythe

Spicy Caramelized Cauliflower with Raisins

Golden raisins, called "sultanas" outside the US, are made from the sultana grape, treated with sulfur dioxide to maintain their golden color, and dried either on the vine or on special drying racks. I love using golden raisins in salad and a variety of sautéed dishes. In the past, I have made Spinach with Raisins & Pine Nuts, Sautéed Brussels Sprouts With Bacon & Golden Raisins, and Swiss Chard with Golden Raisins & Almonds. Last night I used cauliflower. Adding red pepper flakes really compliments the sweetness of the raisins.

By Leslie Blythe

Carrot Rice Pilaf

This Carrot Rice Pilaf is a very simple, yet delicious side dish. The carrots and celery leaves make it look so colorful.

By Leslie Blythe