Side Dish Recipes

Futari: an East African pumpkin and sweet potato stew simmered in coconut milk with cinnamon and cloves. A vegan side dish from Tanzania and Kenya, naturally gluten-free.

Moroccan vegetable soup simmers lamb (or beef) stew meat with turnips, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and saffron, finished with zucchini, angel hair pasta, and fresh herbs.

Baked green tomatoes with brown sugar, butter cracker crumbs, and a sweet-savory contrast. A classic Southern side dish that's an oven-baked alternative to fried green tomatoes.

Corn flake-crusted chicken thighs baked on one sheet pan with sage-roasted potatoes and a honey mustard BBQ dipping sauce. Mom's weeknight dinner that everyone fights over.

Ajat: Thai cucumber relish with thinly sliced cucumber, red onion, cilantro, and fresh chili in a sweet-tangy rice vinegar marinade. The crisp side that cuts through rich Thai curries and satay.

Sauteed spinach with garlic and fresh tomato wedges, cooked low and slow until silky and tender. A simple 4-ingredient Italian-style side dish that's diabetic-friendly.

Grilled baby artichoke and white bean salad with thyme, red onion, and a lemon-Dijon vinaigrette with olives. A make-ahead Mediterranean side that improves as it sits in the fridge.

Carry-out campers' coleslaw is a no-mayo vinegar slaw built in an ice bucket, sweetened with frozen apple juice concentrate and dressed with mustard, vinegar, and oil. Travels great, no spoiling.

Spaghetti squash salad with mushrooms and Parmesan: roasted squash strands tossed with garlic olive oil, sauteed mushrooms, and fresh parsley. Low-carb, gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, 45 minutes start to finish.

Citrus quinoa and toasted pepitas salad simmers quinoa with green chiles, onion, and garlic, then tosses with lime juice, cilantro, scallions, and toasted pumpkin seeds. A Southwestern-leaning grain salad.

Eggplant custard gratin with fried eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and a ricotta-parmesan custard. French-Italian baked side or vegetarian main.

French-style potato pancakes with diced cooked turkey, scallions, chervil, ripe olives, and Dijon mustard. Crisp-edged hash brown cakes that turn leftovers into dinner.

Aikens' vegetarian cornbread dressing with whole wheat toast, soda crackers, sage, onion, celery, buttermilk, and eggs baked in vegetable stock. A meatless Thanksgiving side that feeds a crowd.

Cold stuffed tomatoes filled with crunchy diced cucumber, cabbage, peppers, and celery, topped with curry-spiked mayo. A retro summer salad-stuffed appetizer that pre-makes for parties.

Classic succotash with fresh corn, lima beans, sweet onions, tomatoes, and torn basil. A simple Southern-American summer side dish that showcases peak-season produce in a single skillet.

Brown rice pilaf with mushrooms, shredded carrots, marjoram, and green onions cooked in chicken broth. A light, low-calorie side dish ready in under 20 minutes.