Side Dish Recipes

Summer white bean soup with sauteed celery, swiss chard or kale, a splash of rice vinegar, and a hint of liquid aminos. Light, vegetarian, naturally high in fiber and gentle enough for warm weather.

Microwave pumpkin butter cooks in 8 minutes with brown sugar and a 5-spice warm blend of allspice, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. A fall spread for toast, biscuits, or pancakes.

Zucchini and tomatoes simmered with garlic, basil and a savory onion soup mix into a quick stovetop side. A vegan way to use up summer squash, ready in about 30 minutes and microwaveable too.

Deep-fried cucumber slices double-coated in cracker crumbs and egg for a crispy, golden side dish. An unexpected way to cook cucumbers that's ready in 20 minutes.

Red cabbage with diced apples is a diabetic-friendly German-style braised side with green apple, lemon juice, allspice, and a hint of sweetener. Low-calorie, ready in 40 minutes.

Moroccan-style sliced tomato and onion salad with olive oil, garlic, parsley, sweet paprika, and cumin. A simple no-cook side that captures North African market flavors.

Strawberry, melon, and avocado salad fans avocado and cantaloupe over baby spinach, tops with berries, and drizzles with honey-sherry-mint dressing. A stunning brunch salad.

Slow cooker ham and bean soup with diced ham, a leftover ham bone, dried beans, and chopped vegetables seasoned with onion soup mix and Italian herbs. Set it and forget it for 7 hours.

Italian market pasta salad tosses bow-tie pasta with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, tangy gorgonzola and toasted pine nuts in a balsamic dressing. A light, no-mayo summer salad.

Japanese noodle soup with shiitake mushrooms, snow peas, red pepper, and rice noodles in a hot sesame broth, finished with ginger, brown rice vinegar, and roasted cashews. A vegetarian, low-fat Asian soup ready in 45 minutes.

Dried cherry couscous with tri-color bell peppers, carrots, and chives cooked in chicken broth. A colorful, fruity side dish that pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or chicken.

Crisp button mushrooms stuffed with tangy apple, toasted walnuts, and melted blue cheese for a sweet-savory bite-sized appetizer ready in under an hour.

Luxuriously creamy Colombian avocado vichyssoise with leeks, potatoes, and heavy cream. Serve it hot or cold as an elegant first course before fish. Ready in just 30 minutes.

Fennel and carrots cooked slowly in an seasoned olive oil.

When spring arrives, asparagus is always one of our favorite vegetables; and the best way to cook them is roasting or grilling that develops tons of flavor, simply toss with the marinated artichoke hearts, hmm, now there is a good reason to allow yourself to indulge.

Roasting vegetables can develop tons of flavor, tossed with a light and tasty vinaigrette and some fresh and crunchy radicchio, a light and flavorful salad on your table.