It's another busy Monday and I am trying to plan ahead for our week night dinners. I usually have the main dish planned but I sometimes get stumped when it comes to side dishes. In my house, a bowl of potato chips is not considered a option. If you have just a few good pantry items and some veggies in your freezer, the sides will always come easy. Seasonal vegetables are a favorite of mine but if I can't get to a store, I know there are other options. Take a look at some of my favorite sides. You don't even need a recipe for these as there is very little effort in making these dishes.
Cook some rice and substitute half chicken broth and half white wine for the water. Stir in some peas and Parmesan cheese while cooking. This is how you cheat on risotto!
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes are very simple. Toss together bite size pieces of potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, dried rosemary, salt and pepper. Roast at 400 degrees for 35 minutes or until potatoes are brown and tender.
A simple salad is one of the easiest and most frequent side dishes we have. Some arugula and tomatoes are tossed with Parmesan, olive oil and vinegar.
I love to roast carrots and mushrooms. I buy baby carrots and toss the carrots and mushrooms with onion powder, salt and pepper. Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil and roast for 30 minutes in a 400 degree oven.
Here are some more yummy sides from the blogosphere. What is your favorite side dish?
Chive and Onion Mashed Potatoes
The Japanese Redneck says
Those sound good. I like the rice idea. It fancies it up.
Becki's Whole Life says
I'm always looking for new side dishes and it's one area that I seemed to be stumped or get into a little bit of a slump. I LOVE the rice and peas recipe and I also really like your simple salad. I think we would eat more salads if they were all that simple and flavorful. Thanks for sharing all of these!
Erica says
Roasted veggies always take the cake- so good!
Katrina says
Love the "cheatin" risotto.
Thanks for linking me. Side dishes are always my nemesis, too! Nice to have a little go-to here.
Mari says
The Rosemary Roasted Potatoes , and roasted carrots and mushrooms are my favorite. Great side dish options! Thanks.
chinmayie.bhat@gmail.com says
Love these simple recipes 🙂
LaPhemmePhoodie says
I love the "cheat" recipe for risotto. I will definitely try that. I don't have the patience to make risotto. Thanks for including my mashed potatoes in your post!
Dan says
I think my favourite side is still a baked or mashed potato. Just comforting.
That Girl says
I'm always in a side rut.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Roasted veggies are my favorite side dish. Just the taste of caramelized veggies from roasting, takes it to another level 🙂
Jeanette says
Such a nice idea to think ahead for side dishes...I get stumped too!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
Sides can sometimes be a problem for me, too. Hard to pair just the right compliment with the main. Great ideas here for most any meal!
kellypea says
Nice collection of sides -- we had roasted potatoes with rosemary last night -- they're a fave!
Curt says
All fairly simple and they all look delicious.
Sam Henderson says
Side dishes can certainly be a struggle. I love the rosemary potatoes. I've just stumbled upon your site. I see I have lots of catching up to do.