easy side dish

I was born in the mid-west and my love of potatoes and cheese confirms that. Dauphinoise potatoes (also known as Pommes de terre dauphinoise, potatoes à la dauphinoise, gratin Dauphinoise, and gratin de pommes à la dauphinoise) is a French dish of sliced potatoes baked in milk, or cream, (or a combination), using the gratin […]

New favorite alert. This panzanella has got to be one of my all-time favorite new salads. And since it feels like Spring in Northern California today, I just had to post about it. Packed with some of my all-time favorites; radicchio, fennel, olives, cheese, and sourdough bread, this hardy, earthy salad goes together effortlessly in […]

Mozzarella is an Italian curd cheese made from water buffalo milk, not to be confused with North American buffalo or bison. The Italian Mediterranean buffalo breed was believed to have been introduced to Italy during the Roman times. Because Italian water buffalo are herded in just a few countries (mainly Italy and Bulgaria), most mozzarella you eat […]

Mushroom farro is a hearty winter comfort food to me. The addition of black truffle oil makes this simple dish even more delicious.  Farro is an ancient grain from Mesopotamia that has been around forever. Considered a nutritious grain, farro is high in protein, fiber, and B complex vitamins, and is considered a much healthier […]

I honestly have no idea when I first had couscous, but I love the stuff.  I think my boys were eating couscous before they had rice.  Pearl (or Israeli) couscous is similar to regular couscous in that is it also a whole-grain food made from semolina or wheat flour.  Known as “ptitim“, Israel, pearl couscous, […]

Vegetable stir-fry is one if the easiest vegetable sides dishes out there.  By mixing different vegetable flavors and textures, you undoubtedly get a more interesting side dish.  What I also love about a good vegetable stir-fry is that almost any vegetable can work, so it is super easy to adapt to the likes and dislikes of various […]

It appears I just can’t get enough of these guys.  I think I am drawn to Brussels sprouts because of their strong flavor and the ease of roasting them in the oven. They are a go-to for me during holiday time. I love a great roasted vegetable; I prefer them that way.  I was playing […]

Lentils and rice go together perfectly in my eyes.  I could honestly eat lentils daily, but I don’t think that would fly with my family.  The lentils I’m referring to here are French lentils, a classic variety in the culinary world.  They are greenish-brown, petite, earthy, and delicious—and that’s how I feel about them before […]

Boy did I hate Brussels sprouts when I was a kid?  To my six-year-old self, these were odd-looking vegetables not meant for human consumption.  Kudos to my parent, the Brussels sprouts kept returning and eventually, I learned to like them.  Now, older and wiser, I love them.  Their baby cabbage-like appearance, their strong almost spicy […]

Cauliflower quinoa vegetable rice is an easy, flavorful, and delicious side dish that you can serve with just about anything.  Cauliflower rice, or riced cauliflower as it’s also called, has become incredibly popular in recent years as a low-carb alternative to rice.  Don’t get me wrong: I love rice and I always have.  But I […]