Tag: vegetarian sides
Manchego Smoked Paprika Mashed Potatoes
- 4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into small squares
- Salt
- 3 garlic cloves
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¾ to 1 cup half and half
- 2 cups shredded Manchego cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pepper
- ½ cup green onion, chopped
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
Add the cut potatoes to a deep pot and cover with water. Add at least 2 tablespoons salt and the garlic cloves. Place a lid on the potatoes and bring to a boil. Uncover and cook until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain potatoes and garlic and put them through a food mill and add back to the hot pot. Add butter, half and half and smoked paprika. Check for seasonings, add pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and let cool all the way. Add the grated cheese and mix well. At this point, the potatoes can be refrigerated and made at least a day in advance. Once ready to bake, take out of fridge at least 30 minutes in advance. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or till heated through. Garnish with green onions and cilantro.
Quick Garlicky Spinach
I love the creamed spinach at steak houses but it has loads of calories. I make my spinach usually just with a bit of olive oil and garlic- it does the trick for me.. I will sometimes add a splash of half and half to the creamy effect. It is a great, quick side to make…
- 8 cups baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- Salt
Heat a large frying pan with the olive oil. Add the garlic and sauté on low heat for a minute. Add the spinach and sauté on medium heat till the greens have wilted. Add salt and serve.
Indian Style Rice and Beans
I had volunteered at Sia’s school to cook something for the healthy table at the fair. The foods at that table have had vegan, ethnic and healthy desserts in the past. I initially thought of baking a healthy bread or the chocolate zucchini bread I posted a few days ago- but then I thought maybe I should make a one pot rice dish instead – and maybe even a vegetarian one. The recipe on this blog calls for chicken broth but I made it with water for the fair. I decided to make a pulao, which is a rice dish that can include vegetables, beans or meat. I usually make a pulao with vegetables or meat- I thought maybe I should do an Indian version of rice and beans. Mexican and Indian flavors have so much in common, especially cumin, cilantro and the chilies. I wanted to include the cilantro sauce my grandma used to add to her pea rice dish. It is such a great way to give great flavor to the rice- cilantro, onion and garlic are blended and cooked with cumin before basmati rice is added. It is delicious! I decided to combine the two cuisines and come up with a one pot meal! I am in love with one pot meals- they are so convenient, especially if they are kid friendly. In this case, the rice has the protein from the beans- so I would pair it with a salad and call it a day. My daughter does not like salad dressing, so she eats lettuce without anything! – how weird it that?? I guess whatever works for her- I tell her she is missing out on all the delicious salad dressings out there but then she doesn’t like ketchup either! I digress- the rice dish was a big hit at the fair. I added raisins to it- I can’t help myself- I love the sweet juice right in the middle of the savory cilantro and garlic flavor. I was a little concerned about some people not liking the sweet with the savory but I think it was okay. The kids and adults enjoyed it!