side dish Archives - Page 4 of 6

spanakorizo-style spinach and rice

by Jackie Newgent | September 7, 2015 | 0 Comments

Sometimes we worry so much about the entrée, we put little effort into the sides. So here’s what I suggest! When you need a side dish, ready-to-heat and packaged rice mixes can save time. There are a handful of quality brands on the market, like Seeds of Change, which I recommend! Unfortunately, most popular brands are highly processed and not so healthful. By eating these latter picks, you may be shortchanging your health since most mixes are based on processed “white” rice and contain way too much sodium. They also can be a hidden source of trans fat—of which the body needs absolutely zero! When you’re in the mood for a rice dish, consider making your own whole grain pilaf,...

spicy dark chocolate “gelato” {recipe redux}

by Jackie Newgent | February 22, 2015 | 11 Comments

What’s your favorite chocolate pairing? Maybe chocolate and strawberries? Or perhaps chocolate and peanut butter? There are so many pairings I adore, it’s difficult to choose. Chocolate and mint is definitely one of them. I’m a lover of chocolate with spice and “crave” chocolate with salt, too. This month’s Recipe Redux theme was to highlight a chocolate match. Since I couldn’t decide on just one, I picked three: bananas, jalapeño, and sea salt! Yes, it’s a bit unique. But trust me when I say the combination in this inspired “gelato” truly tastes exotic. The banana is the base of this ice cream-like treat instead of rich milk or cream—making it extra calorie-friendly, yet still super creamy and comforting. You’ll grill...

smoky pan-grilled baba ghanoush dip

by Jackie Newgent | January 22, 2015 | 6 Comments

I love good chips and French onion dip at a party. Perhaps too much! But rather than develop a new sour creamy-style dip, I opted for inspiration from my Lebanese roots (thanks to my mom!). The result is an updated classic baba ghanoush. When aiming for healthfulness, I figure you simply can’t go wrong by making a dip full of vegetable goodness! Another twist was tossed into my recipe development mix. For this month’s “Recipe ReDux” challenge, the goal was to focus on the trend of smoking … the culinary kind of smoking, of course. So I pan-grilled eggplant while keeping it covered with a lid to trap in all of the delicious smokiness. Then I added an extra kick...

fitter french fries {Recipe ReDux}

by Jackie Newgent | December 22, 2014 | 14 Comments

As a member of Recipe ReDux, the goal this month was to grab a book and cook. But not just any recipe; it needed to be chosen from page 42 or 142 in the book—to celebrate the 42 months that ReDux has been around! So I picked a cookbook that I thought was sure to have something decadent in it: Potatoes: Comfort Food by Jane Stacey (Smallwood & Stewart, Inc., 1997). What did I find on page 42? A recipe for “The Perfect French Fries!” Of course, I had to work my makeover magic on the recipe. I didn’t just spritz the potato slices with cooking spray, bake ’em, and call it a day. My goal was to create a...

classic macaroni salad with grilled peppers

by Jackie Newgent | April 30, 2014 | 0 Comments

Makes 5 servings: 1 cup each I was asked to create a healthy macaroni salad, but to keep it classic. Basically, no overly frilly, fussy, or fancy ingredients allowed. That actually is more challenging than it sounds. Macaroni salad is considered “classic” for a reason. And I won’t use “fake” fat-free ingredients to concoct my recipes. That said, I was successful at creating this better-for-you version! I kept great taste and tradition in mind. And though not extra fancy, I did make this macaroni salad extra special by adding grilled peppers and fresh herbs. Enjoy it at your next cookout or picnic. I know I will! Calories saved: 170 Why it’s better for you: Pumped up the whole grains; more...

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