side dish Archives - My Beautiful Mess

Broccoli Slaw

April 13, 2019May 4, 2019by Mary LentzLeave a Comment

This yummy blend of shredded broccoli, carrots and red cabbage is a new take on an old favorite. Learn how to make zesty, crunchy, Broccoli Slaw.

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Yummy coleslaw! Who doesn’t love it? Well… me! Yup, you read that right. I was never a huge fan of it. As I’ve grown older, I certainly like it more than I used to.

But it’s a staple in the summer. You’ll find it at every BBQ and summer picnic or potluck. I don’t know if it’s regional, but here in the South, you’ll also find it often paired with fried catfish and other seafood.

Broccoli Slaw Ingredients

The Slaw

I’m a cheater! It’s true. I cheat a little with this recipe. My local store already has the basic broccoli slaw starter. It comes in a 14 oz bag and all you have to do is mix in your dressing. If you aren’t as lucky as me you’ll have to shred the raw broccoli, carrots and red cabbage.

That being said, I make my own dressing and it’s super easy. Honestly, I can’t believe they actually sell bottled coleslaw dressing. Because this whole salad takes less than five minutes to whip up if you already have the vegetables shredded.

The Dressing

Traditionally, coleslaw dressing is made up of white vinegar, lemon juice and granulated sugar mixed with mayonnaise . I hate vinegar, with balsamic as the exception. So I did a slightly different take. After all, I’m Hispanic, so I tend to cook with lime juice. That’s what makes this recipe different. I mix fresh cilantro with lime juice. I cut the sugar down by half the amount so it is more zesty than sweet. Then I add mayo and stir to a perfect creaminess!

Broccoli Slaw

Try this new take on an old favorite. This new recipe substitutes cabbage for broccoli and adds zesty lime juice and fresh cilantro.

Print Recipe

Course Salad

Servings 4

Ingredients

1/4 Cup Lime Juice
½ Cup Fresh Cilantro Shredded
12-14 oz Broccoli Slaw Prepackaged
1 Cup Mayo
1 Tbsp White Sugar
Pepper To taste

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl add the broccoli slaw.
Mix sugar in lime juice, then pour over broccoli slaw and toss well
Mix in shredded cilantro and toss well
Add mayonnaise and fold in until fully combined.
Add light pepper if desired.

Keyword broccoli, cabbage, coleslaw, lime juice, mayonnaise, picnic, potluck, salad, summer

I hope you’ve enjoyed the recipe, Broccoli Slaw. I’d love to hear what you think in the comments!

Salad, Side Dishes, Weekday Dinners

Tomato and Cucumber Salad

January 16, 2019April 24, 2019by Mary LentzLeave a Comment

Learn how to make this refreshing tomato and cucumber salad with a homemade red wine vinaigrette.

Making Tomato & Cucumber Salad

Can I be real for a second? I hate eating healthy. There…my secret is out. You can keep your cauliflower fried rice – it ain’t for me! Sorry, not sorry. That’s why when I find a delicious way to incorporate veggies in my meal plan, I snag it! So today, I’m sharing how to make my tomato and cucumber salad.

It’s easy to make your own red wine-balsamic vinaigrette for it which you can create in a salad dressing shaker or mix directly in the salad. Personally, I think it tastes best when you let it chill in the fridge for an hour after making. It gives a chance for the flavors to marinade together.

I love this tomato and cucumber salad because it fits all diets. Whether you’re doing Keto, Atkins, Whole30, Weight Watchers, or Paleo, it’s full of clean ingredients.

No Boring Lettuce – Yes, Please

I love Greek salads! And this recipe is bursting with Mediterranean flavors. with the tomato, cucumber, fresh basil, red onion, fresh parsley…be still my heart. I love serving a cold bowl of this yummy goodness.

This salad is a great alternative to the same old, boring lettuce style salad. I often have it as a lunch. If you need something heavier as a meal, try adding avocado, olives, shrimp and/or feta cheese (if you aren’t doing paleo). I’ve even added it to Quinoa!

I recommend eating this fairly quickly. The cucumbers break down a little faster than the rest of the salad. You can store in a air tight container for a few days.

Tomato & Cucumber Salad

Crisp cucumber and juicy tomato make this delicious summer salad. Similar to a Greek Salad, this recipes calls for all natural ingredients

If you aren’t following a paleo diet and would like it to be more filling, you may add a half cup of feta cheese

Print Recipe

Course Salad, Side Dish

Servings 2

Ingredients

1/4 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
2 Tsp Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
2 Tbsp Olive Oil Extra Virgin
2 Lrg Cucumber Chopped
1 Cup Tomatoes Chopped
2 Tbsp Red Onion Finely Chopped
2 Tbsp Fresh Italian Parsley Chopped
2 Tbsp Fresh Basil Chopped
Salt To taste

Instructions

Chop all veggies and herbs and transfer to a mixing bowl
In a small bowl or salad dressing shaker, combine all your wet ingredients to make your dressing
Mix well and pour on your salad
Toss gently to blend

Keyword atkins, basil, cucumber, gluten free, greek, keto, paleo, red onion, red wine vineger, tomato, whole30

I hope you enjoy this salad as much as I do. You can thank me later!

The post, Tomato & Cucumber Salad, first appeared on My Beautiful Mess.

Looking for more recipes? Try Roasted Root Medley

Side Dishes, Weekday Dinners

Roasted Root Medley

January 9, 2019January 9, 2019by Mary Lentz2 Comments

Try this easy, sweet and savory roasted root medley, perfect for weeknight dinners

This is by far one of my favorite vegetable recipes. First, this roasted root medley is very easy to make. In fact it is so simple, you may wonder why I’m sharing it. That’s because it is one of my favorite side dishes ever!

It’s so easy you almost don’t need a recipe. It’s just chopped vegetables with olive oil. However, the pairing of sweet potato, carrots, and sweet onion make a sweet & salty combination.

In the past, I’ve also made this with sheet pan dinners. I know I’m not the only person who loves one pan dinners!

I discovered this recipe about five years ago during a cleanse diet. That’s the other great thing about this dish. It’s Keto, Paleo, Auto-Immune Paleo, Whole30, Atkins and Weight Watcher friendly. As a variation, you can add other root veggies like beets or parsnips.

Personally, I line the baking pan with parchment paper. It makes clean up a breeze. I also recommend turning the vegetables about half way through baking for perfect tenderness.

Jump to Recipe

Roasted Root Medley

You’ll love this sweet and savory side dish. Easy to make for weeknight dinners. It’s Keto, Whole30, Paleo and Weight Watcher friendly.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 50

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Ingredients

1/8 Cup Olive Oil Extra Virgin
5 Large Carrots Peeled, Chopped
2 Small Sweet Potatoes Peeled, Chopped
1/2 Cup Sweet Onion Chopped
Salt & Pepper To taste

Instructions

Wash and peel potatoes and carrots.
Chop vegetables and place in a mixing bowl
Add olive oil to the mixture and toss until vegetables are fully coated
Spoon vegetables onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper
Add salt and pepper to taste
Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until tender. Turn vegetables over with a spatula about half way through cooking.

Keyword carrot, olive oil, onion, sweet potato

Looking for other weeknight recipes? Try Perfect Spanish Rice

The post Roasted Root Medley first appeared on My Beautiful Mess.

Recipes, Side Dishes

Perfect Spanish Rice

November 28, 2018April 24, 2019by Mary Lentz2 Comments

Strait from my grandmother’s kitchen, try this delicious recipe for perfect Spanish rice.

Perfect spanish rice

When you’re Hispanic, like me, there is rarely a single meal that goes by without Spanish rice. It was a staple growing up. It’s flavorful, filling and savory. Lots of people are intimidated by making rice. Let me tell you, you don’t need a fancy rice cooker. There are two rules for making perfect Spanish rice. Your water to rice ratio needs to be correct and you don’t touch it! Don’t worry, I’ll explain that in just a minute. Today, I’m going to share my family’s recipe for perfect Spanish rice.

There are variations to Spanish rice. I’ve seen people add peas, even corn to it. I do neither. The recipe I make is my grandmothers and then my mothers. The smell of the rice frying immediately takes me back to childhood.

For extra flavorful rice, I suggest using chicken stock in lieu of water. Alternatively, you can also use water and bouillon. Comino (Cumin), is a very strong spice. Too much of it and it will make your dish bitter. Therefore, use it sparingly if you experiment with it in recipes.

The Secret to Perfect Rice

Here is the secret for perfect rice. First, white rice should always be cooked in a 1:2 ratio. One cup of white rice, 2 cups of water. Brown rice is 1:3 ratio. One cup of brown rice, 3 cups of water. Brown and wild rice require much longer cooking times. Too much water leaves rice mushy and waterlogged.

The other secret to perfect rice is to leave it alone while cooking. Therefore, this means no stirring. Stirring breaks up the starch and and makes it clumpy and just a big pile of mush. Once you put your ingredients in, just give it one stir around then cover and leave it!

Spanish Rice

Spanish Rice is a flavorful blend of cumin, cilantro and tomato. Learn how to make authentic, perfect Spanish rice.

Print Recipe

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6

Ingredients

1 Cup Long Grain Rice
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Cups Chicken Stock
1 Small Roma Tomato Chopped
1/3 Cup Yellow Onion Chopped
1/4 Cup Tomato Sauce
2 Tbsp Cilantro Chopped
1 Tsp Ground Cumin
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
Salt
1 Tsp Pepper

Instructions

Chop tomato, onion and cilantro.
Prepare rice in a medium deep skillet with a lid
Heat oil on medium heat. Add rice and stir gently.
Allow rice to brown, stirring only a few times.
Once browned, slowly add your chicken stock at the side edge of the pan. Be careful, as it will produce hot steam.
Add cumin, garlic powder, cilantro, tomato, tomato sauce, and onion. Give one stir around the pan.
Bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and cover with a lid until all the liquid is dissolved, about 15-20 mins.
Once cooked, fluff with fork. Add salt if needed. Normally the chicken stock is salty enough.

Keyword Cumin, Mexican, Rice

Looking for other delicious recipes? Try Zuppa Toscana a delicious rustic Italian soup.

Tag: side dish

Broccoli Slaw