TKDmom Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I realize this is probably dependent on what you serve for dinner, but I need some fresh ideas. My default side dishes are greens beans or salad or carrots and dip. The hardest part of planning dinner is coming up with healthy, tasty, and easy side dishes. I want to incorporate more vegetables into our diet, but I can't spend a lot of time and effort on sides, and I want my kids to actually eat the veggies. What types side dishes do you find yourself serving over and over again? :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I could use some new ideas, too. I have picky eaters, so it can be tough. For now, we eat a lot of black beans. Green beans are a staple side here, too. Peas are always a hit, and snow peas are a favorite that I often forget. I love salads, but DH and the kids... not so much. Fruit salad is a big one here, too, but it seems to be losing its appeal. Listening in for more ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I seem to head for the same ones over and over.... green beans salad broccolli mac-n-cheese Stove Top stuffing (yeah, yeah, I know) kernel corn or corn on the cob I'd love some new ideas as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 When in doubt, I do a salad bar (usually a dish of greens, then four other veggies). I have a dish that keeps things separate and everyone can make the salad they like. Leftovers can become something else or reappear in tomorrow's salad bar. I also like rice side dishes, potatoes, roasted veggies, and soups. When I'm bad I serve loaded French fries and am worshipped as a hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Two vegetable or fruit dishes. Standards: Green salad Fruit salad Raw sliced veggies with or without dip Some non routine faves: Cucumber and carrot salad Squash casserole Grilled squash, sweet potatoes, peppers, etc Sautéed sesame broccoli Tomato, cucumber, basil salad Just use food.com and search for the veggie you have in the garden or you love . . . Ideas abound. I love trying new veggie recipes. My best trick to getting veggies into the kids is to serve a plate of raw yummy veggies as an appetizer. It always, always disappears before dinner is served. Typically, my 3 young, skinny kids will devour the equivalent of two or three large veggies and fruit before dinner is even served. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 This isn't a side but it will maybe help you vary your veggies some. You can brown chicken, ground beef or steak, pork or any other choice of meat with some onions. Then add in your choice of veggies...green beans, carrots, corn, brocolli, peas, beans, mushrooms, diced tomatoes. Get it hot and add shredded cheese and melt. You can also put this over rice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily_Grace Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Dh cooks mostly, but here's our favorite sides: rice couscous french cut green beans with italian dressing Angel hair pasta or linguine tossed in a chili/garlic/butter sauce salad corn on the cob twice baked potatoes (I cook them in the morning when it's cool) german potato salad twice baked sweet potatoes spinach dip w/pita triangles Balsamic carrots tomato slices and mozzarella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Yes, it will depend on what's for dinner, but some popular sides here include: couscous, salad, beans, quinoa, asparagus, roasted potatoes, fresh veggies (in the summer, we loved just sliced tomatoes)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RahRah Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Sweet potato fries Sweet potato rounds Mash sweet potatoes Broccoli Cole Slaw Mash cauliflower Broccoli + cauliflower + carrots Glazed baby carrots Green beans Cucumber, red onion & rice wine vinegar Cucumber slices & ranch Sliced tomatoes Tomato salad Dinner salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber) Corn on the cob (seasonal) Zucchini & summer squash sauteed (with or without onions) Fried onions (sauteed) Spinach salad Cooked spinach (with or without artichoke hearts; if with then also balsamic & EVOO in the sautee) Red bliss potatoes (occasional) Root vegetables (seasonal) Red cabbage sauteed Mixed vegetables (can be almost any assortment above) Asparagus Sugar snap peas Peas (occasional) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I hate side dishes. I try to cook cassaroles as much as possible so it's all in one dish. My go-to side dish is a salad. I make a big one (really big!) once or twice a week and we pick from it for the rest of the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 (edited) There are usually two, if it's not a one-pot type of meal. One carb (Jasmine rice, long rice, wild rice, risotto, pasta, potatoes) and fruit or salad. We're not big vegie eaters (thank dh for that one) outside of salad. Most of our meals also include bread of some sort. Edited August 22, 2011 by CathieC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 This is our list. Couscous..at least once or twice a week Parm risotto Broccoli and cheese w/ a baked potato Lima beans Cinnamon/brown sugar carrots Spanish style green beans Pasta salads And then all the regular stuff...corn, mashed potatoes, peas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 (edited) I usually make a side dish. I never make casseroles because I am allergic to milk and well...there isn't much point without the cheese. :lol: Corn on the cob (best on the grill) Green Beans Mashed potatoes/sweet potatoes Rice (usually basmati or wild rice) Baked potato/sweet potato peas glazed carrots pioneer woman's crash potatoes (my family's favorite) asparagus salad grilled squash Sometimes I make fried squash or fried green tomatoes but dh always seems to find that crazy so it isn't often. roasted vegetables Beans sometimes sliced veggies like cucumber, or bell peppers or tomatoes tabouleh A relish of red onions, black beans, bell pepper, corn, jalapeno, tomatoes, cilantro and lime juice and bit of red wine vinegar Asparagus risotto greek salad pasta salad Quinoa Edited August 22, 2011 by Sis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 For my picky, everything-has-to-be-separate family, I make: brown rice w/ a little butter to moisten it quinoa cooked in chicken broth mashed potatoes oven baked potato wedges (shaken with olive oil before baking) brown rice noodles, also with a little butter Kashi 7 grain pilaf peas corn, on or off the cob broccoli edamame One son will also eat: baked sweet potatoes cauliflower cooked carrots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Simple around here- green beans, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, roasted broccoli, sauteed asparagus, peas w/ butter or lard and pepper, salads- chopped raw veggies(bell peppers- carrots- tomatoes), basmati rice, roasted sweet potato w/ cumin and chili, mashed sweet potatoes w/ cinnamon and butter, sautteed peppers, onions and mushrooms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DusksAngel Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Our picks: Salad Corn on the Cob Fruit Salad (whatever's cheap) Carrots, Celery, Zucchini, Cucumbers, and/or Mushrooms with dip Veggies with cheese sauce Any frozen veggie blend (stir fries, normandy blend, cali blend, etc) Sliced Tomatoes (sometimes with cottage cheese) Green beans with bacon and onion Baked Sweet Potatoes (although sometimes they become the meal) Veggies with hummus (yum!) Veggies with salsa Chickpea Salad Bread (I try to make a "healthier" variety) Rice (fried, with soy sauce, with sweetener and milk) Pasta Salad Potato Salad Coleslaw Edamame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwjx2khsmj Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Our sides depend on what is available in our area. Right now that means watermelon, cantalope, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, corn, peas, beans and squash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I like serving a simple green salad first, since we definitely consume more salad (meaning fresh, raw veggies) if we start with salad. Side dishes during the meal are often: Broccoli --steamed and served with or without butter --roasted in the oven --as "slaw", shredded and tossed with a sesame soy salad dressing Broccolini --steamed --sautéed Asparagus --usually roasted in the oven and served with a little lemon juice Spinach --sautéed in olive oil with garlic --sautéed then mixed with a little cream and parmesan cheese Cabbage (red or green) --as "slaw", shredded and tossed with vinegar and a little oil and other seasonings --cooked down alone or with apples, particularly to serve with pork dishes --shredded and tossed into a stir-fry with other veggies and soy sauce Green beans --blanched and then lightly sautéed with butter --roasted Eggplant --my family doesn't love eggplant, but they'll eat it roasted like this Summer Squashes --sautéed with onions and olive oil --sautéed with onions, olive oil, tomatos, fresh basil, and a little cheese (feta or parmesan) Winter Squashes --usually baked with apple Potatoes --mashed --cut, boiled, tossed with butter --roasted --baked Sweet potatoes --plain baked --cut, tossed with olive oil, ginger, cinnamon and baked --oven "fries" Rice --brown rice to serve with Indian or Asian dishes --wild rice cooked in stock Fresh fruit Baked apples Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted August 22, 2011 Author Share Posted August 22, 2011 Thanks everyone for all the ideas! I'm going to try out having a two-week repeating meal plan, complete with side dishes. It will make my life so much easier to have it all planned, especially if I know side dishes ahead so that I won't forget to make them. When in doubt, I do a salad bar (usually a dish of greens, then four other veggies). I have a dish that keeps things separate and everyone can make the salad they like. That sounds like a great idea! I hate how we waste salad, and it doesn't last long after it's mixed up (plus I hate dealing with one child whining because he got tomatoes, and another whining because he didn't get carrots...) Do you have a picture or a link of your dish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I don't do a lot of "side dishes." We're vegans, so the whole meat / starch / side dish model of a meal doesn't appear on plates here. Instead, I tend to do meals that include a number of ingredients of various kinds and / or meals that are entirely made up of dishes other people would consider sides. In the last couple of weeks, we've had the following meals (and others I can't remember off the top of my head): - Baked potatoes, corn on the cob, glazed carrots, sliced fruit, cornbread muffins. - Sort of a veggie snack aisle or buffet including carrot sticks, grape tomatoes, sliced canteloupe and watermelon, strawberries, kiwi, cucumber and olives along with a either a good loaf of bread or hummus and crackers. - Black bean tacos with lettuce, tomato, bell pepper, onion, rice, salsa, etc. - Channa masala with basmati, papadam, veggie samosas and onion chutney. (That's probably as close to a traditional meal as it gets around here.) - Spaghetti with tomato sauce, garlic bread on the side. During cooler weather, black bean soup with tortillas or chili with cornbread, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 (edited) We typically serve 2-3 sides. Always something green, a filler-upper (rice, bread, beans), and the third is usually another vegetable or something that particularly goes with the main dish. We had roast chicken last night with coleslaw, fresh tomatoes with mozzarella, and watermelon. Other side combos we've served this week: Kale Coleslaw Sweet potato biscuits (with ribs) Blackberry salsa Spinach Green salad Rice (with chicken) Zucchini corn muffins Chard Watermelon (with corn chowder) Other favorites (in any combination): Quinoa salad Fresh corn Black beans or barbecue beans Brown rice Sauteed or grilled veggies Winter squash, cubed and baked Light soups (Tomato soup, miso soup, potato-leek soup, squash soup...These can also be served as main dish soups, but if I serve them as a side I make less and put out smaller bowls.) Cherry tomato salad (Toss cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls and black olives in some olive oil and balsamic vinegar, s&p.) Sliced fresh veggies, raw (sliced or cherry tomatoes, cucumber or carrot sticks, broccoli, and so on) Fresh bread, biscuits or savory muffins Many meals, I like the sides better than the main dish! Cat Edited August 22, 2011 by myfunnybunch Love the Oxford comma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClassicCole Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Baked potato and baked sweet potato corn salad red, yellow, green bell peppers cut into strips with ranch dressing cherry tomatoes sometimes stuffed with cream cheese corn on the cob candied carrots sauteed zucchini/squash roasted potatoes sweet potato fries seasoned with chili powder applesauce beans of all sorts rice mac & cheese platter of sliced fruits and cheeses cottage cheese with fruit soups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaAkins Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 green beans almondine roasted asparagus grilled corn on the cob baked beans black beans grilled pineapple rice--lots of different types & variations couscous orzo pasta salad sliced cucumbers, celery & carrots grilled veggies (zucchini, squash, mushrooms & onions) steamed broccoli bread--italian bread or biscuits or crescent rolls or cornbread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 salad -- we like Caesar salad, or mixed greens/romaine with bleu cheese, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette. DH is not a huge fan of garden salads, but I like those pretty well. mozzarella and tomatoes with basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar brussels sprouts -- pan-fried in butter -- my 6yo's favorite roasted broccoli (or cauliflower) peas -- boiled or steamed lima beans -- boiled sauteed spinach with a bit of lemon juice and garlic roasted squash or sweet potatoes homemade fries or potato latkes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WistfulRidge Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 :bigear: Watching this thread with interest... I need to incorporate new sides dishes into our meals or I'll go crazy. DS and DH couldn't care less :glare: Right now we're stuck in the rut of salad and/or corn with either mashed potatoes or macaroni (I eat mine with a little butter and parm, DS and DH eat theirs with ketchup :ack2:). Occasionally I'll make twice baked potatoes (if I remember to start them in time), cornbread, or biscuits. I really need to branch out veggie wise.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upward Journey Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 None. Yup, that's correct. Absolutely none. We eat one pot meals or burritos almost exclusively. I hate to cook and I have to stretch a pound of meat for 6 people, so....... It does make it tricky when we have company though because I have to suddenly cook meals that "normal" families eat :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I'm not sure how "easy" or "healthy" but here is the favorite here. I fry vidalia onins sliced thin with frozen (super thin kind ) green beans, celery, mushrooms, or whatever else I can think to put in it, and minced garlic . The key is to use real butter and sea salt. My daughter hates cooked veggies, especially green beans. This side came about from the frustration of trying to find some vegtable she would eat. I won't say she loves them, but she will eat all of what I give her. DS, DH, and every one I've cooked for loves it. Also frozen asparagus in a buttered pan in the oven for 20 minutes is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Let's see... Some kind of green salad Some kind of starch: buttered bread white rice brown rice quinoa couscous potaotoes: mashed, fries, scalloped, au gratin, roasted with rosemary pasta egg noodles Some kind of cooked veggie: mixed veggies green beans cabbage: stir-fried, cole slaw, boiled asparagus broccoli cauliflower mushrooms squash of all types Sometimes we also have: sweet potatoes: baked, fries English peas black eyed peas lima beans white acre peas pinto beans black beans That is all I can think of right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 (edited) Usually two of these: Oven roasted potato quarters and garlic Oven fries Rice pilaf Brown rice pilaf Baked potatoes (rarely--not popular with anyone but me) Raw snow peas with sour cream dip Romaine lettuce with Ceasar dressing Mesclun with balsamic vinaigrette Raw baby carrots Radishes with kosher salt (and sometimes sweet butter) Tomatoes quartered with balsamic vinegar and fresh basil (sometimes with mozzerella as well) Radiccio with blue cheese, walnuts, and EVOO Braising greens Raw baby turnips Raw fennel bulbs, sliced Half steamed cabbage with apples and pickling spice Cucumbers with sour cream (and fresh dill if we have it) Baby cherry tomatoes Strawberries Strawberries sauteed with cinnamon Apple slices Jicama with lemon juice Tangerines Orange wedges Pear slices with walnuts and blue or stilton cheese Squash soup in little cups Tomato soup with or without sour cream on top Yogurt with chopped mint and shallots Braised leeks Spinach salad with apricot nectar dressing Sauteed mushrooms with lemon juice, olive oil, and thyme (I keep a bag or jar of dried wild mushrooms around to add to this. Great flavor!) Broccoli, sauteed and served with mayo and mustard Brussel sprouts, sauteed and served with mayo and mustart (only DH will eat this, though) Raw green beans Lightly steamed green beans, cooled and mixed with shallots, Dijon mustard, and red wine vinegar Artichoke salad Steamed artichokes with mayo Steamed asparagus with mayo Sauteed asparagus in olive oil Apricots Peach slices Watermelon chunks Honeydew melon chunks Edited August 23, 2011 by Carol in Cal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I tend to do meals that are one dish with lots of veggies and a little meat or protien; or a soup, both options most often with a salad on the side. Some of my favorite salads are: Spinach salad with fruit and goat cheese Caesar style vinegarette on romaine with cheese Chopped kale with peppers Fruit with mint Italian style chopped salad with garbanzo beans and salami etc Three bean salad Lentil salad with carrots and squash Some samples for meals with side dishes, like say a roast chicken or steak night: Roasted veggies Greens with raisins Asparagus is a favorite Garlic roasted broccoli Sauteed mushrooms Honey baked lentils Mashed potatoes Mashed turnips Roasted squash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Green salad Caprese salad Roasted vegetables (broccoli, onions, asparagus, bell peppers, etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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