Sides

Well trying different things is always good. But sticking to the good and quick is always the best in times that you do not have time to make a huge and healthy meal. This meal is healthy but it is always quick to make and usually people have the ingredients in their cupboards or fridges. Give this recipe a try.

INGREDIENTS

4 ounces farfalle pasta
2 cups water
1 tablespoon chicken stock
1/4 cup canned green peas
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small pot cook farfalle pasta with the 2 cups of water. Add chicken bouillon and boil until water has reduced.
2. Stir in butter and peas. Add red pepper flakes, if desired.
3. Serve with sprinkled parsley on top.

Posted by Sabriena at 16:55

Artichokes are really good and really expensive if you are buying them out of season. Heck even in season these babies can be expensive! So when you see them for cheap buy them up and enjoy their wonderful flavors! What is the best way to tackle these babies? Easy! I found an easy explanation on how to clean them!

"The best way to clean chokes is set them in the sink & cover with cold water for a 30 mins or so. Then take a shape knife & cut the stem back with an even cut so that they can stand upright in your pot or steamer without falling. After you cut the stem off, take kitchen shears & go around each choke & snip the tips of each leaf to remove the tiny stickers at the tops of each leaf. Run back under cold water again & now you can safely spread the leafs back some without getting pricked! Pull the center back & reach in with the tips of your fingers & pull out all of the little tiny purple leafs that are near the heart in the very center, they are too small to eat so remove them now to avoid a mess while eating them later."

INGREDIENTS

2 whole artichokes
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, sliced
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Fill the pan with just enough water to cover bottom. Bring to a full boil over high heat. While water is heating, trim and discard the stems and tough outer leaves of artichokes. Tuck slivers of butter and slices of garlic into artichoke leaves.

2. When water is boiling, place steamer insert in pot and set artichokes in steamer, stem-side down. Cover pot with lid and allow artichokes to steam for approximately 20 minutes, until tender.

Posted by Sabriena at 10:06

Cornbread is a good side for any meal almost. If you have it with soup then it gives it that extra filling for your meal. It is also warm and cornbread is sooo good. I think so anyway. This cornbread isn't your traditional kind either. You get a bit of a kick with all the "fiesta" flavors going on. I think that this would go fantastic with Tomato soup!


INGREDIENTS

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup flour All Purpose
3/4 tsp sea salt
4 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 can Niblets corn
1 large egg
1/4 c canola oil
1 12oz can Evaporated low fat Milk
4oz can diced green chiles
12oz block Tofu Firm
1/4 c Kraft Cheddar Jack Shredded

DIRECTIONS

Turn oven to 400 degrees.
Grease a 9x13 pan with No-Trans-Fat Crisco. Mix all dry ingredients. Dice the Tofu and add, then add the rest of ingredients (except the shredded cheese) with half of the milk. Stir, add rest of the milk. Pour into pan, sprinkle cheese across the top.
Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 50 minutes.
Substiutions can be made (changing the calorie count of course). Say fresh frozen corn if you have it. Jalepenos instead of chiles.

Posted by Sabriena at 06:08

Not a lot of people actually like brussels sprouts but I do. I have actually never thought of shredding them or anything. All I usually do is boil them and throw some butter on them or have them with some mayo. With this recipe though you shred it up and add some bacon. It is something different as well! Nice trying something new.

INGREDIENTS

6 cups of shredded brussels sprouts
6 slices of bacon
2 cups of either chicken broth or bouillon

DIRECTIONS

Cook bacon in fry pan.
Drain off fat, save 1 tbs.
Add shredded brussels sprouts and broth.
Season with salt and pepper as needed.

Posted by Sabriena at 13:39

Are you adventurous when it comes to trying new recipes or foods? Do you love making out of the ordinary side dishes to try out? I am like that and whipped butternut squash is not something that my house has all the time, or even once a year. It sounds delicious and only takes approximately an hour to make. Try it out next time you're feeling frisky!

INGREDIENTS

2 butternut squash, halved and seeded
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup light sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Place squash halves cut side down in a medium baking dish with enough water to cover. Cover, and bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, until tender.

3. Scoop squash from skin into a medium bowl, and mix with margarine and light sour cream. Whip until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Posted by Sabriena at 10:22