A Little Something on the Side

This week's post is going to be all about easy and delicious side dishes.  If you need a main dish idea, go back through my previous posts... there are a lot of great ideas in there!  Sometimes, though, finding the right side dish to complement the meal is the harder part.  I hope you enjoy these!


Baked Acorn Squash - Cut acorn squash in half.  Remove seeds.  Place face down on a baking sheet and cook in a preheated 350F oven for about one hour.  When skin is easily pierced with a fork, remove from oven, flip them over and add about 1 TBSP butter to the center of each half.  Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper if desired.

Instant Pot Applesauce - This is great because it doesn't even require a food mill to mash the apples once they are cooked.  If you don't have a peeler-corer-slicer tool, you will have to peel them, cut them, and remove the cores/seeds.  It's a little more time consuming, but definitely worth it!

Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
12 ounce bag frozen cauliflower rice
1-1/2 cup shredded cheese (see notes)
2 TBSP heavy cream (or milk)
2 TBSP shredded Parmesan, optional
2 ounces cream cheese
Dash of garlic salt
Dash of pepper

Stovetop method: Steam the cauliflower rice according to package directions.  Put the prepared cauliflower and all the other ingredients into a medium saucepan.  Heat and stir over medium heat until cheese are melted.

Microwave method:  Microwave the cauliflower according to package directions.  In a separate bowl, add the 1-1/2 cups shredded cheese (not the Parmesan!) and cream cheese.  Microwave about 1 minute.  Blend together with a spoon.  Add heavy cream and stir some more.  Microwave another 30 seconds if necessary to get a stirrable consistency.
Pour the steamed cauliflower into the dish of cheese and stir to fully coat the cauliflower.  Sprinkle with Parmesan, if using.  Season to taste with garlic salt and pepper.

NOTE: I used a mix of Gruyere and Pecorino because it's what I had on hand, but sharp cheddars would work well too!  I also added fried shallots because I had them, but you can add a lot of different things to this to mix it up.  Maybe  bacon bits!  Or a little shredded cooked chicken!

Green Bean and Shallots - The shallots add an amazing flavor!
12 ounces fresh green beans
2 shallots, thinly sliced
2 TBSP olive oil
1 tsp diced garlic

Steam the green beans in a microwaveable dish with 1/4 cup water until crisp-tender (about 5 - 7 minutes).
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium high.  Add the sliced shallots.  Fry, stirring frequently, until golden brown (5-10 minutes).  Add the garlic.  Stir and cook about 1 minute more.
Turn the heat back to medium.  Add the green beans to the pan of shallots.  Stir to coat the green beans.  Cook about 3-5 minutes, stirring and flipping the beans frequently.

What are you eating this week?  Whatever it is -- Keep It Clean!