This is a picture of some of the side dishes I served at my dinner party on Saturday. The nice thing about them is that they can all be prepared well ahead of time and served chilled or at room temperature. They tasted pretty darn good too!
The main part of the dinner was a mixed grill of steak and chicken, so I wanted to offer some tasty side dishes that could also be vegetarian options for those who do not eat meat. This was the first time I had ever made these recipes. I know, I know, they tell you never to experiment on your guests, but what the heck, life is too short to stick to the tried and true all the time! Happily, they all turned out to be terrific, so I thought I would share with you.
The dish on the right is the tortellini salad. It is comprised of cheese tortellini, roasted red peppers, and a dressing made of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil, parsley, garlic and green onions. I got the recipe from foodnetwork.com Roasting the peppers and peeling them sounds a bit labor intensive, but trust me, it wasn’t bad at all.
The dish in the middle is an eggplant salad from the Silver Palate Cookbook. This was so simple, you hardly even need a recipe. Roast three peeled and diced eggplants (drizzled with olive oil, salt, and lots of minced garlic) at 400 degrees for 35 minutes, then combine them with two large sauteed onions and a dressing made of of 1/2 cup good olive oil, and the juice of two lemons. Add a bunch of minced fresh basil and toss.
The dish on the right is a white bean salad. With this dish you do have to plan ahead and soak and cook one pound of small white beans in advance. Make sure the beans are done enough, but not mushy. You want them to retain their shape. Then simply toss with a dressing made with 1 cup olive oil, 2/3 cup of lemon juice, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, salt and pepper to taste. Add in 1 1/2 cups diced celery, 1/2 of a red pepper, lots of chopped parsley, and half a diced onion.
32 responses to “Side Dishes”
They all sound yummy and look beautiful. I like to do a dinner this way, too. I have a peach and tomato salad and a black bean with cilantro and tomato one that are always well received. Next time I make them, I’ll post about them!
They all sound yummy and look beautiful. I like to do a dinner this way, too. I have a peach and tomato salad and a black bean with cilantro and tomato one that are always well received. Next time I make them, I’ll post about them!
Yum Yum! That white bean salad looks like something I could pig out with.
Yum Yum! That white bean salad looks like something I could pig out with.
I don’t know which is prettier the salads or the roses??? Everything looks delicious.
I don’t know which is prettier the salads or the roses??? Everything looks delicious.
You should send your photo into Food Network – I’m sure they would use it! How lovely! It doesn’t help that I’m hungry, either! Excuse me, I have to find something to eat now! LOL!
You should send your photo into Food Network – I’m sure they would use it! How lovely! It doesn’t help that I’m hungry, either! Excuse me, I have to find something to eat now! LOL!
Yummy…everything looks so tasty. Your table setting is stunning, all nicely arranged.
Yummy…everything looks so tasty. Your table setting is stunning, all nicely arranged.
The salads look yummy. My guests are use to me trying out recipes on them, most of the time it works out fine.
The salads look yummy. My guests are use to me trying out recipes on them, most of the time it works out fine.
Ok – when can I come around for dinner ? I think I’m free on Saturday – lol ! Seriously they look amazing – as good as anything you see in a recipe book ! Lucky guests.
Ok – when can I come around for dinner ? I think I’m free on Saturday – lol ! Seriously they look amazing – as good as anything you see in a recipe book ! Lucky guests.
Oh it all looks so good! I am sick of hotel and office cafeteria food. I actually had tootsie rolls, cheetos and diet coke for lunch today.
Oh it all looks so good! I am sick of hotel and office cafeteria food. I actually had tootsie rolls, cheetos and diet coke for lunch today.
OH Nicole it all looks yummy you are making me hungry.
OH Nicole it all looks yummy you are making me hungry.
Your table looked lovely and your sides sound scrumptious. The eggplant one especially intriguing–I could use up some of my bumper crop. Thanks for sharing!
Your table looked lovely and your sides sound scrumptious. The eggplant one especially intriguing–I could use up some of my bumper crop. Thanks for sharing!
It doesn’t get any more delicious than this! Thank so much for sharing these dishes with us! ((HUGS))
It doesn’t get any more delicious than this! Thank so much for sharing these dishes with us! ((HUGS))
Hmmm…I guess my invitation must have been lost in the mail. lol!
The food looks divine and your table is simply elegant.
Hmmm…I guess my invitation must have been lost in the mail. lol!
The food looks divine and your table is simply elegant.
If presentation is everything, you win even before the taste test! That looks so attractive and edible! I hope you had time to enjoy yourself!
If presentation is everything, you win even before the taste test! That looks so attractive and edible! I hope you had time to enjoy yourself!
That is such a lovely looking table. I wish I had been there to taste all the yummy dishes. I’ll have to check the site too.
That is such a lovely looking table. I wish I had been there to taste all the yummy dishes. I’ll have to check the site too.
Thanks for the great recipes!
Thanks for the great recipes!
Thanks for the great recipes!
Thanks for the great recipes!