Side Dishes
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Thai-Inspired Bok Choy and Pineapple Salad
This fresh summer salad can be prepped the day before, but toss the salad ingredients with the dressing right before serving for the freshest taste. Try adding 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper for more color. If you can’t find Thai basil, use regular basil. If you don’t care for fish sauce, substitute tamari or soy sauce.
Bok Choy Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are the perfect vehicle for your favorite veggies. For fun, fill separate bowls with shrimp, veggies and herbs — and let people customize and roll their own dinner (great for picky eaters!).
Braised Baby Bok Choy With Pancetta, Garlic, and Sherry
Although bok choy is typically paired with Asian flavors, this recipe shows its versatility. Serve with roasted or grilled meat or seafood. For a vegetarian option, use toasted walnuts instead of pancetta for a rich flavor with some crunch, and a dash of Spanish paprika for a smoky hit.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
For a warm and hearty autumn meal, serve this savory main dish with braised greens.
Baked Squash and Apples With Ginger and Pecans
A simple and elegant side dish that brings out the best and brightest in both main ingredients.
Lyonnaise Salad
The soft yolk of the poached egg becomes part of the salad dressing in this deliciously simple salad. Chop the egg and toss with the greens before eating, if desired. Sub in other sturdy, bitter salad greens, such as radicchio, endive and chicory.
Raspberry Arugula Salad
Dressed with a tarragon vinaigrette, this makes a wonderfully refreshing light lunch or first course.
Spinach Oshitashi
This simple, elegant Japanese “salad” side dish is a great accompaniment to sushi rolls, grilled meats or tofu.
Carrot Fritters
Serve these little “latkes” on a bed of greens for a delightful appetizer or lunch.
Shredded Carrot and Currant Salad
The Middle Eastern–inspired flavors of orange flower water and cinnamon pair well with raw carrots in this quick-and-easy salad.
Parsley, Apple and Walnut Salad
This healthier version of the classic Waldorf salad has plenty of fresh parsley and a crisp, clean flavor.
Falafel With Lemon-Tahini Sauce
A Middle Eastern classic, these little patties are made with garbanzo beans and fresh parsley. Serve with Lemon-Tahini Sauce (recipe below), chopped lettuce, tomatoes, feta cheese and whole-grain pita bread. Terrific for lunch.
Sweet and Sour Braised Portobello Mushroom Caps With Asian Greens and Brown Rice
This comforting dish combines the tangy, earthy tastes of pineapple juice, tamari, fresh gingerroot and sesame oil.
Spinach Salad With Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
When portobello mushrooms are grilled, they develop a meaty flavor. In this vegetarian version of a steak salad, the heat of the grilled mushrooms slightly wilts the spinach. If you would rather use another salad green, cool the grilled mushroom slices to room temperature before tossing together.
Steamed Sweet Potatoes With Tamari Ginger Sauce
Steaming is a quick and healthful way to prepare sweet potatoes. This side dish is especially nice accompanied by buckwheat or Soba noodles and grilled meat or tofu.
Kale, Bell Peppers and Pine Nuts Sautéed With Garlic
This simple-to-make side can become a main dish by adding kidney beans after sautéing the kale. Top with a shaving of Pecorino Romano cheese.
Island Spinach Salad
This colorful salad bursts with flavor, thanks to nutty toasted coconut and a tangy lime vinaigrette. The spicy coconut cashews can be sprinkled on top of the salad or served on their own as a quick appetizer.
Celery, Apple and Pecan Salad with Lemon Hazelnut Dressing
This light, energizing salad — infused with the fresh flavors of celery, tart apples and toasted pecans — makes a great snack or side. For more substance, add a shaving of Asiago or Manchego cheese.
Warm Citrus Black Lentil and Quinoa Salad
Black beluga lentils are a perfect base for a quick, light salad. As an alternative to citrus, you can try other fruits, such as unsweetened dried apricots, raisins or dates.
Aloo Gobi
A classic Indian dish of cauliflower and potatoes, Aloo Gobi has a complex base of spices and tomatoes. The turmeric gives the cauliflower a lovely yellow color and has many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties. Serve with a cooling spinach raita or add shredded kale to the dish to get your greens.
Cauli-Slaw
This slaw can be made even more colorful by using purple or green cauliflower, and by substituting red apples for the green, or adding red cabbage into the mix. Sprinkle in some currants for more texture and flavor. Although a food processor with a grater attachment is helpful for preparing vegetables for this salad, you can use a hand grater or finely chop the vegetables by hand.