A few weeks ago I was watching the Food Network (no real surprise there) when Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Minute Meals came on. Now, I like these types of shows, however, I am quite skeptical that these meals can truly be prepared in fifteen minutes. By the time you get out all your pots, pans, knives, cutting boards and then prepare your food and measure out your spices, well, I just don’t think fifteen minutes is accurate, but the meals presented on this program are relatively quick and can be prepared for a delicious week-night dinner.
Category Archives: Side Dishes
Spicy Tomato Confit
Cherry tomatoes have to be one of my favourite snack foods. I just love the sweetness of the tomato and they really are adorable. Just little bites of summer.
When I was looking through one of my cookbooks for a new side dish, this recipe appealed to me. Confit Cherry Tomatoes. Now, I am not familiar with confit, in fact, the only time I see this term is when it refers to duck. Since I am not a huge fan of duck, the idea of confit has never really struck me as something I needed to try. But cherry tomatoes, well, I never pass up an opportunity to eat more tomatoes, so I figured it was time the confit made an appearance in our kitchen.
Warm Broccoli Slaw
On Monday I shared with you the totally delicious and amazing pulled pork that I had made on the weekend. I had found the recipe on a site called Primal Bites, and was very impressed with the texture and taste of this dish. The original recipe was called Paleo Pulled Pork 3 Ways. Although I didn’t plan on it, I ended up making one of the recommended leftover meals – Asian Pork and Slaw.
Cauliflower Hummus
I have tried making a variety of different hummus recipes, and have loved each one. I am still amazed at how simple it is to make, and totally regret all the money I threw away by buying it pre-made in the grocery store.
As part of trying to stick (more or less) to a Paleo diet as part of my getting back on track for the New Year, hummus has been off my list, as it is made with chick peas, and they contain a lot of carbohydrates.
However, I have found a new hummus substitute and I couldn’t be happier. Drum roll please – Ta Da – Cauliflower Hummus 🙂
Oven Roasted Kale Chips
I confirmed what I had always believed about myself this past month. I am a stress eater. I threw caution into the wind and settled into a December filled with chips, doughnuts and other fried foods. Let’s not forget the countless desserts and copious amounts of bread that I ate either.
But with 2012 behind me and 2013 and an unacceptable scale reading facing me in the mornings, I am getting back on track with more reasonable food choices. So, I thought that the first thing I would share with you is my new potato chip substitute, Kale Chips.
Lime Marinated Steak & Grilled Vegetables
In planning for our upcoming move, Jamie and I have taken stock of all of our kitchen appliances and have donated those items that have one use and take up a lot of room in our cupboards. Some examples of items that we no longer own are our electric frying pan, toaster, electric Panini press, indoor grill and flat-topped griddle.
Cauliflower Rice
I think that cauliflower is an amazing vegetable. You know how every time you turn around the media is boasting the benefits of a new super fruit (Açaí Berries, Blueberries, Pomegranates, Pineapple, etc), but rarely do you hear the call of a new super vegetable.
Now, I don’t know if this is because all vegetables have been discovered or that we already know that vegetables are awesome, but I want to throw it out there that cauliflower is our super vegetable of choice.
Back-to-Basics Butternut Squash Soup
I have previously posted a butternut squash soup recipe, but I recently made a different version, and I thought I would share it with you.
While I was flipping through the Make it Paleo cookbook that Jamie had received, I was surprised by the simplicity of their recipe for butternut squash soup. It called for only butternut squash and onions, along with some spices. When I make soup, I generally put any and all vegetables I can find into it, so I was curious to find out how this basic recipe would taste. I made it my mission to find out.
Curried Carrot Dip
I had a bag of carrots in the fridge that I was supposed to use to make a soup, but I hadn’t gotten around to it yet. I am normally not a big fan of carrots, unless I am using them to dip into homemade hummus. Hmmmm, dipping carrots into hummus, I wonder if I can make carrots into a dip? Of course I can! Anything is possible, especially when you have a large collection of cooking magazines to browse through 🙂
Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
How can you increase the desirability of mashed potatoes? Easy, just add caramelized onions!
As you know, Jamie and I love dining out at The Keg. Not only are their steaks and dirty martini’s perfect, but they also serve up the best mashed potatoes. I have tried on numerous occasions to replicate their potatoes at home, but have always fallen short, until this time.