Category: Sides Dishes

Deliciously Easy Creamed Spinach

I love love love creamed spinach! I usually get as a side dish when I’m out having a steak dinner. I’ve made a few version at home, but this is by far the best one yet! It’s beyond simple! You can’t ask for anything quicker, honestly. I am so excited to have another veggie side dish that’s super simple to make and taste phenomenal. This recipe is perfect to make ahead of time, perfect for holidays and perfect to make for a crowd.

Deliciously Easy Creamed Spinach

Ingredients:
1lb frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 1/2 cups half and half or heavy cream
1/2 cup shaved parmesan
1/4 cup+ 1T grated Romano cheese
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, diced
1/2 T flour or 2 t xanthan gum
2 t olive oil
1 t crushed red pepper flakes, optional
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

Directions: Heat a medium sauté pan on medium high heat. First squeeze out all the extra liquid from the thawed spinach before putting into the pan. Add in the olive oil and let heat 1-2 minutes. Next add in the onion and garlic. Let cook until fragrant and slightly tender.

Next add in the cream and xanthan gum (or flour). Cook for 5-6 minutes on medium stirring often. The mixture should start to become slightly thicker.

Next add in the cheeses and mix until fully melted. Season with crushed red pepper, (if using) and salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Note: This can easily be made ahead of time and re-heated the day you are going to use it. Some water may accumlate in the spinach but when you heat it, that will evaporate. Also, sometimes people say using half and half will not make the cream spinach thick enough, for me that was never never

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Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

This recipe for hasselback sweet potatoes is such a fun way to eat them! They are definately a show stopper! Make these for your next dinner party or holiday! It’s a cool take on sweet potatoe casserole! Give this recipe a try!


Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:
4 medium sweet potatoes
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 stick butter, melted
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
1 t salt
2 t olive oil

Directions: Preheat oven 375°. Slice the sweet potatoes but don’t fully cut through. You can use chop sticks or straws to put on the bottom of the potatoes to keep the knife from going all the way through. Cut as far down as you can without cutting all the way through. Using your fingers try and separate the slices slightly.

Add sweet potatoes to a foil covered baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender. (Note: the cooking time will vary depend on the size.)

In a small bowl add in melted butter, light brown sugar and salt. Mix well. Once potatoes are done, remove from the oven and brush with the brown sugar mixture. Trying to get in between each of the slices. Top with chopped pecans and place back into the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and pour any left over butter over the top of the sweet potatoes. Serve & Enjoy!

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Cheesy Cauiflower Casserole

This cheesy cauliflower casserole is great for any side dish. Perfect for a holiday, party, or even just a regular week night! This recipe is actually made low carb. Really the only item that I used differently for a low carb option, was I used xanthan gum and almond vs white flour. You can easily omit that and use flour. Give this recipe a try! If you don’t love cauliflower, try making this…it will change your mind!

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Ingredients:
2 lbs fresh cauliflower, cut in bite sizes pieces (or smaller, depending on preference)
1 stick butter, melted
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 slices cooked bacon or 4 slices prosciutto crispy
2 t almond flour, or 2 T white flour
1 t xanthan gum
3 T Romano cheese, finely grated
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup, heavy cream/milk/half and half
1 T garlic & herb seasoning, (See Amazon link below for what I use)
1 t salt
1 t pepper
1/4 cup bacon or prosciutto (crispy), optional (for the topping)

Directions: Preheat oven 375°. Steam or blanch the cauliflower till fork tender. (Note: do not overcook the cauliflower or it will be mushy.) Once cauliflower is fork tender, drain it and add to a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, add in melted butter, onion, garlic, almond flour, xanthan gum and garlic and herb seasoning. Whisk together.

Add the butter mixture with the cauliflower and mix well, slowly pour in heavy cream. Fold in the Romano cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Add to an oven safe casserole dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until bubbling and edges are starting to brown. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Top with crispy bacon or prosciutto. Enjoy!

Note: If you don’t have garlic and herb seasoning you can substitute with 1 t garlic powder, 2 t parsley, 1 t dill. This recipe can easily be made ahead of time. You can make and refrigerate for a few hours or even over night. Just add an extra 15-20 minutes to the cook time.

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Creamy Ranch Coleslaw

During summer I always try and make some light salads to have with meals.  I love to make pasta salads or cucumber and tomato salads.  This one beyond simple.  It’s only a few ingredients and it comes out so creamy and full of flavor.  I will definitely being making this again! It’s a perfect side to a summer BBQ or meal!

Creamy Ranch Coleslaw

Ingredients:
14 oz Color Coleslaw Slaw
1/2 packet Ranch seasoning Mix
4 green onions, sliced (both green and white)
1 T extra virgin olive oil
1/4 C + 1 T lite mayonnaise (More or less for flavor)
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

Directions:  In a medium bowl add in the coleslaw mix and green onions.  Spoon in the mayonnaise and mix well. Drizzle with oil and season with Ranch packet.  Mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  Mix well before serving.  Enjoy.

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Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bundles

I love prosciutto! Any way I can possibly add to a dish I will do! This is a very easy but fancier side dish!

This side dish has a nice “WOW” factor. These little asparagus bundles are wrapped with salty crisp prosciutto! Yum!

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

Ingredients:
1 lb asparagus
6-8 slices prosciutto
1 T olive oil
2 t salt
2 t pepper
2 t garlic powder
2 t onion powder

Directions: Preheat oven 400.  Chop the bottom 2 inches off the asparagus.  Bundle 5-6 stalks of asparagus together and wrap with a slice of prosciutto. (You can make the bundles bigger or smaller)

Drizzle the bundles with olive oil and season with the salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder. Bake in the oven for about 12-18 minutes. (Time depends on the temp of the oven and also how you like the asparagus cooked) If you prefer the asparagus to be cruncher, cook for about 12-13 minutes, if you prefer it softer cook 17-18 minutes.  By this time the prosciutto will be crispy! Enjoy!

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Cheesy Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Over the last 2 years I’ve really gotten into cauliflower rice.  Cauliflower rice has become such a popular side dish, especially with those who follow low carb and keto eating plans.  I enjoy it because it’s an easy way to get more veggies into my meals.

This recipe is beyond simple.  I will be honest, I prefer cauliflower that’s already riced.  I loath cutting or grating cauliflower rice.  LOL.  Yes, I know that’s a strong word, but I really don’t like it at all.  I prefer to just buy it already riced, fresh or even frozen.  The organic frozen rice I get from Trader Joe’s is by far my favorite. The pieces are nice and small and it cooks very well.  If you want to be a warrior and use fresh cauliflower go for it! Regardless this recipe is delish and simple.

Mexican Cauliflower “Rice”

Ingredients:
12 oz, frozen cauliflower rice
2 T Butter
¾ cup shredded cheese (I used Mexican mix)
¼ cup chunky salsa
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, diced
2 t low sodium taco seasoning (more to taste)
½ t garlic powder
½ t onion powder
½ lime, juiced
½ T olive oil
2 T chopped fresh cilantro
Sprinkle salt and pepper

Directions: Cook cauliflower rice in the microwave according to package but reduce the cook time by 2 minutes.  Heat a medium sauté pan on high heat.  Add oil and let heat a minute before adding in the onion and garlic.  Sauté the onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Add in the cauliflower rice, butter and taco season, garlic and onion powder.  Add the salsa and lime juice and stir.  Let cook covered 4-5 minutes.  Add the shredded cheese and mix until fully melted, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle in cilantro and serve immediately.

Note: You can also cook the cauliflower in a pan first vs in the microwave. I like doing in the microwave as I feel like it produces less water.  If there is water you can just drain in prior to adding to the sauté pan.

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