Help Side Dish Suggestions for Tonight!!!

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants sharing and seeking suggestions for side dishes to accompany a birthday dinner featuring steak, shrimp, salad, and potatoes. Various personal experiences and recipes are exchanged, highlighting different culinary preferences and ideas.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shares a variety of side dish suggestions including twice baked potatoes, artichokes wrapped in phyllo dough, glazed carrots, and stuffed mushrooms.
  • Another participant mentions a festive scalloped corn dish and baked parmesan risotto, offering to provide recipes if needed.
  • A participant describes a personal favorite side dish involving a vegetable marinade that is popular with their son, who typically dislikes vegetables.
  • One participant shares a broccoli salad recipe that includes bacon and a creamy dressing.
  • Several users express curiosity about specific ingredients like early peas, field peas, and peg corn, with one participant explaining their characteristics and where to find them.
  • Another participant mentions trying a tortellini bake from a cookbook, which was well-received by their guests.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

No clear consensus emerges, as participants share a variety of personal experiences and preferences regarding side dishes without agreement on a single best option.

Contextual Notes

Participants are sharing personal recipes and experiences related to side dishes, reflecting individual tastes and cooking styles.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers within the consultant community looking for creative side dish ideas for special occasions may find the shared experiences and recipes beneficial.

heat123
Silver Member
Messages
6,922
We are having Steak, shrimp, salad with potatoes for my hubbies b-day dinner and I wanted to make a yummy Side dish to go along with... any suggestions out there!?


TIA!
 
Yummy!!!
heat123 said:
We are having Steak, shrimp, salad with potatoes for my hubbies b-day dinner and I wanted to make a yummy Side dish to go along with... any suggestions out there!?


TIA!

Here are my suggestions:

Twice Baked Potatoes my favorite.

I also would like to try those artichokes wrapped in phyllo dough in the new Season's best.

Glazed Carrots

10 to 12 small carrots (or small bag of baby carrots)
2 T. margarine
1 T. brown sugar
2 T. honey
2 T. mint or parsley (optional)

Cook carrots; when tender, drain a colander, set aside. Melt margarine; add sugar and honey. Add carrots. Cook over low heat 5 minutes; stir. Sprinkle with mint or parsley.

Stuffed Mushrooms


2lb. med. to lg. fresh mushrooms
2.5oz. processed ham, chopped
1/2c. plain dry bread crumbs
1/4c. chopped green bell pepper
1 clove garlic, pressed
3tbs. Italian salad dressing


Preheat oven to 400º. Remove stems from mushroom caps. Set aside. Place caps, stem-side up, on baking sheet. Chop enough mushroom stems to measure 1/2 cup. In medium bowl, combine chopped stems, ham, bread crumbs, bell pepper, garlic and dressing. Mix well. Spoon filling into mushroom caps, gently pressing filling into caps. Bake 18-20 min. or till mushrooms are tender and filling is golden brown. Yield 24-30 mushrooms


I'm hungry!! :p
Debbie
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Thanks! But does anyone have any good casserole like dishes they have tried and loved?
 
How about

Festive Scalloped Corn (Celebate Cookbook - page 61) Oval Baker

Baked Parmesan Risotto (Stoneware Inspirations - page 29) Mini Baker

If you need the recipes let me know
 
This isn't a PC recipe but it is awesome (and I use all PC products to make it). My son hogs the whole thing - we have to pass it around the table with him getting it last so everyone gets some - I AM NOT KIDDING! :eek: And BTW, he doesn't like most side dishes - especially vegetables.

Mike's Favorite Side

Combine in small sauce pan:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup sugar

Bring to a boil, cool slightly.

Prep vegetables:
15 oz. can early peas
15 oz. can field peas
15 oz. can peg corn
Drain and rinse thoroughly.

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup red bell pepper
Chop to about the size of the corn and peas and combine with drained and rinsed vegetables.

Pour oil/vinegar marinade over vegetables. Refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours. Before serving drain excess marinade (liquid) from vegetables.
 
This one is a PC recipe (I don't know the PC name for it)

Broccoli Salad

1 lb. broccoli flowerets (2 bunches), chopped
1 lg. Spanish Onion, diced
1/2 cup raisins
1 lb. bacon, fried crisp and crumbled (or chopped)
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Dressing:
1 cup mayo
1/2 cup sugar
3Tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. water

Combine dressing ingredients. Mix salad ingredients except bacon. Add dressing to salad, chill 2-3 hours. Top with crumbled bacon just before serving.
 
BethCooks4U said:
Prep vegetables:
15 oz. can early peas
15 oz. can field peas
15 oz. can peg corn
Drain and rinse thoroughly.

Beth, What in the world are early peas, field peas and peg corn? I've never heard of those terms before!!!
 
rebeccastt said:
Beth, What in the world are early peas, field peas and peg corn? I've never heard of those terms before!!!
Early Peas are tiny "new" peas.

Field Peas are more like beans - little beans. They usually come with pieces of green beans in them they call them "snaps" - I know not why - I always pick them out after I rinse them.

Peg Corn - I'm not sure what the difference is from regular corn - maybe a little sweeter? Usually are in smaller cans so I use two cans.

All of them can be found in the vegetable isle. The Early Peas and Peg Corn are with other peas and corn.

The Field Peas are found with the canned beans. I like Luck's brand. Other brands the field peas are larger. They taste the same but the smaller ones look better.
 
Thank you....I learn something new everyday!
 
heat123 said:
Thanks! But does anyone have any good casserole like dishes they have tried and loved?
Hi Heather,
It's probably too late, but that Baked Parmesan Risotto that was mentioned in another post is AWESOME!! I made this with the Portobello Chicken Paninis one night and it was great. Yum!

How did the birthday dinner turn out???:D
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
Thanks for all your replies. I tried the Tortallini bake thing in the celebrate cookbook I think it was. Everyone loved it! That baked risotto sounds good too!
 
I'm glad I wasn't the only one that felt a little "vegetably inadequate"!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some quick and easy side dish ideas for a weeknight dinner?

Some quick and easy side dish ideas include roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, garlic mashed potatoes, quinoa salad, or a simple green salad with a vinaigrette. These can be prepared in under 30 minutes and pair well with a variety of main dishes.

How can I make a side dish that complements grilled chicken?

A great side dish to complement grilled chicken is a Mediterranean quinoa salad. Combine cooked quinoa with diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and a lemon-olive oil dressing. This refreshing salad adds flavor and texture to your meal.

What are some healthy side dish options for a family dinner?

Healthy side dish options include roasted sweet potatoes, sautéed spinach with garlic, a mixed vegetable stir-fry, or a chickpea salad. These dishes are nutritious and can easily be prepared alongside your main course.

Can you suggest a side dish that is kid-friendly?

Kid-friendly side dishes include macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, or carrot sticks with hummus. You can also make fun shapes with vegetables using cookie cutters to make them more appealing to children.

What side dishes can I prepare ahead of time?

Side dishes like pasta salad, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables can be prepared ahead of time. Simply store them in the refrigerator and reheat or serve cold when you're ready for dinner. This saves time and reduces stress during meal prep.

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