Archive for the ‘Side Dishes’ Category

Collard Confetti

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

The vibrant colors of this edible confetti make a beautiful side dish.  Cutting the collards and cabbage ahead of time and storing in a ziploc bag makes it possible to cook this up in less than 5 minutes.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients
1 tablespoon oil
1 bunch collard greens, chiffonade (cut into thin ribbons)
1/4 head of purple cabbage, cut into thin strips
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash pepper

Instructions
• Pour oil into pan on medium high heat.
• Place garlic in the pan and stir for about 1 minute.
• Add the collard greens and purple cabbage and stir another few minutes.  Be careful not to overcook.
• When the collards become a bright green color, turn off the heat and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve and enjoy.

Handmade Pasta

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Ingredients
1 cup Semolina Flour
1 cup Whole wheat pastry flour
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
3-5 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoon oil

Instructions

• Combine dry ingredients together.
• In a measuring cup, add the eggs, water, and oil and mix.
• Make a well in the center and add wet ingredients.
• Mix all the ingredients together until it forms a ball.
• Knead for about 5-8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
• Cover in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.
• Cut into portions and roll out with rolling pin or in a pasta maker on lowest setting.
• Fold dough over and roll several times to work the gluten.
• When it is a smooth texture and works easily, begin to roll it at one higher setting
• Roll to desired thickness
• Roll dough through the noodle cutting attachment into desired size or fold dough over and cut with a knife to desired size
• Coat with flour to keep from sticking
• Bring water to a boil in a pot
• Place noodles in water for 3-4 minutes
• Drain and serve immediately

Drying directions
• Dry for 24 hours by hanging over pasta or clothes rack
• Package in airtight container and store in pantry or freezer.

Steaming Vegetables

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

I love to steam veggies.  Here’s a great article on how to do this from Healthy Cooking Suite 101:

Pump Up the Flavor with Roasted Veggies

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Read more at Suite101: How to Roast Vegetables and Eat More Veggies!: Roasted Vegetables for Picky Eaters http://healthycooking.suite101.com/article.cfm/eat-more-veggies#ixzz0ghI15i48

How to Cook Quinoa

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Read more at Suite101: How to Cook Quinoa: Quinoa Cooking Tips and Recipes http://healthycooking.suite101.com/article.cfm/how-to-cook-quinoa#ixzz0ghGrZEqL

Eat the Colors of the Rainbow

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

Read more at Suite101: Choose Food by Color for Healthy Eating: Does the Color of What we Eat Really Matter? http://healthycooking.suite101.com/article.cfm/color-your-food-healthy#ixzz0ghHBTNV7

Fresh and Tasty Snack Ideas

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Slices

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Friday, January 8th, 2010

This recipe is a hit with both kids asnd adults!  It’s very quick, tastes great as a side dish and can be reheated easily in the toaster oven or microwave.  Throw on some red potatoes or russets for different colors.

Makes 4-6 servings

4-6 medium sweet potatoes
1 tablespoon of Spice Mix  (see recipe below)
2 tablespoons olive oil

• Preheat oven to 425ºF
• Cut sweet potatoes in half.
• Cut each half into wedges the same size. (The potatoes will roast evenly when they are all cut the same size.)
• Place in bowl with spices and drizzle oil over.
• Toss in bowl to mix spices and oil to evenly coat potatoes.
• Place on baking sheet and place in oven on top shelf for 20-25 minutes, until cooked and soft all the way through.
• Check with tooth pick.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

Don’t forget to turn the oven off!

Spice Mix Recipe

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons garlic powder

2 tablespoons ground black pepper

Nutrition Information (per serving):  Calories:  154  (26% from fat)  Total Fat  5 g   Sat Fat:  1 g  Cholesterol: 0mg  Sodium: 363 mg  Total Carbohydrate: 27 g   Fiber: 4 g   Protein: 2 g Calcium: 41 mg  Iron: 1 mg