Zucchini Salad
This refreshing zucchini salad is an easy, no-cook side dish that tosses raw zucchini, crunchy vegetables, and nuts in a zesty homemade dressing. It’s fresh, flavorful, and a great way to use up your fresh summer zucchini!
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This refreshing zucchini salad is an easy, no-cook side dish that tosses raw zucchini, crunchy vegetables, and nuts in a zesty homemade dressing. It’s fresh, flavorful, and a great way to use up your fresh summer zucchini!
Your vegan feast isn’t complete without warm and fresh vegan naan on the side! Easy to make with baking staples, this pillowy soft flatbread is perfect for scooping up all your favorite Indian-inspired dishes.
Here are the best sauteed carrots you’ll ever have! The perfect easy side dish, they’re made with just 3 ingredients…
Here are the best sauteed carrots you’ll ever have! The perfect easy side dish, they’re made with just 3 ingredients and done in 10 minutes. As cookbook authors, this is a method we turn to again and again!
Maybe “sauteed carrots” doesn’t sound like an impressive recipe. But believe me, these really are the perfect sauteed carrots! When Alex first made these for me, and I could not believe the flavor. “What is IN these?” I kept asking.
Turns out they’re very simple. These are the most tender, buttery, savory, coins, with a hint of herbaceous fresh thyme and chives. They taste like the best carrots you’ve ever had: but they only have 3 ingredients and take 10 minutes! As two cookbook authors who have made thousands of recipes, these stand out as a fast favorite.
All you need is a handful of ingredients and you’ll have the best sauteed carrots you’ve tasted! We might give up on our roasted carrots altogether, because these carrots are so fast and taste just as good—or better. Here’s what you need:
Sauteed carrots are quick and simple; here’s what to do:
This sauteed carrots recipe is full of flavor from the fresh herbs, which taste much more vibrant versus dried herbs. You can truly taste a difference! The pop of the green herbs against the bright orange also looks stunning. You can usually find fresh herbs in the refrigerated section in your grocery, or if it’s the season herbs are easy to grow! You can use various fresh herbs in this recipe: here’s what we’d recommend:
The flavors of these sauteed carrots are distinctly Mediterranean. If you’d like to change them up to fit well with another cuisine, you can try:
These sauteed carrots work well as a healthy side dish for lots of different mains! What’s nice is that they’re made on the stovetop, so you can keep the oven free for baking or roasting. Here’s what we’d pair with this tasty vegetable recipe:
This sauteed carrots recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
While the recipe may call for a specific type, feel free to use your favorite variety. Rainbow carrots add a beautiful pop of color.
Peeling is optional, but we prefer peeling carrots for visual appeal.
The carrots should be tender-crisp when pierced with a fork. They’ll continue to soften slightly as they cool.
While best served immediately, you can reheat leftover sauteed carrots gently in a pan or microwave.
Here are the best sauteed carrots you’ll ever have! The perfect easy side dish, they’re made with just 3 ingredients and done in 10 minutes. As two cookbook authors, this is a method we turn to again and again!
This sauteed carrots recipe is one in our collection of easy side dish recipes and vegan side dishes! Here are a few more you might enjoy:
We’re in the thick of summer, which means the season of potlucks and BBQs is at its peak. Whether you’re headed to a picnic or to an outdoor dinner party, it’s always a good idea to have a few dependably delicious side dish recipes at the ready.
We as…
We're in the thick of summer, which means the season of potlucks and BBQs is at its peak. Whether you’re headed to a picnic or to an outdoor dinner party, it's always a good idea to have a few dependably delicious side dish recipes at the ready.
We asked our community to submit their best summer side recipes to help us out—and we have so many favorites. From a Mesa Grill-inspired potato salad to smoked trout deviled eggs, you'll find something new here to go with whatever you're grilling. And from now until the end of summer, we encourage you to try at least one of these recipes, post about them on Instagram or TikTok, and tag us @food52 with the hashtag #f52cooktogether, so we can all follow along and find out what you loved and repost our favorites. Happy cooking!
This Rainbow Chickpea Salad is a dream summer side. Packed with bright, fresh flavors it’s a crowd-pleaser and easy to…
The post Rainbow Chickpea Salad appeared first on The Defined Dish.
This Rainbow Chickpea Salad is a dream summer side. Packed with bright, fresh flavors it’s a crowd-pleaser and easy to customize depending on what veggies you have on hand!
I love grabbing a premade chickpea salad from the grocery store deli when I need a simple side or quick lunch. But instead of heading to the store, I decided to make this easy recipe at home! Whether you use this as a side along a grilled protein this summer, or meal prep the recipe to have for a quick snack or lunch, I know you are going to love it!
And while I used red bell pepper, cucumber celery, and red onion for this particular recipe, the dish really is customizable! Feel free to use any veggies or herbs you have on hand that you need to put to use.
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and toss until well combined.
Cover and refrigerate to marinate for at least 2 hours; best if marinated overnight.
Before serving, taste and add more salt, if desired. This salad keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days.
The salad should marinate for at least two hours but ideally overnight!
Absolutely! This lasts in the fridge for up to 5 days and only gets better as it continues to marinate.
Yes! Feel free to swap in whatever veggies or herbs you have on hand.
I hope you enjoy this Rainbow Chickpea Salad! Comment below what you pair with it or veggies you add to it!
Cucumber Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
Street Corn-Inspired Slaw with Spicy Tahini
Food Photography and Styling by Eat Love Eats.
The post Rainbow Chickpea Salad appeared first on The Defined Dish.
This easy vegan pear salad tosses sliced pears, nuts, cranberries, and mixed greens in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette—a classic appetizer or side dish you can pair with everyday family dinners or extravagant holiday meals!
This article was updated in May 2024 to include more of our favorite Memorial Day recipes.
There’s a change in the air on Memorial Day. It’s a long weekend, it’s finally grilling season, and the last day of school is just a few weeks away. There’s s…
This article was updated in May 2024 to include more of our favorite Memorial Day recipes.
There’s a change in the air on Memorial Day. It’s a long weekend, it’s finally grilling season, and the last day of school is just a few weeks away. There’s so much to get excited about on the first (unofficial) day of summer, starting with these 35 side dishes to serve with burgers, ribs, and more on Memorial Day.
Make your broccoli taste amazing in just 10 minutes! This easy sauteed broccoli highlights its fresh flavor and comes out…
Make your broccoli taste amazing in just 10 minutes! This easy sauteed broccoli highlights its fresh flavor and comes out perfectly crisp tender.
In need of a healthy and easy side dish? Here’s a “recipe” that’s more of an idea than anything: sauteed broccoli! It might sound basic, but you’ll be surprised at the amount of flavor it’s possible to get from perfectly cooking this vegetable!
Why we love this recipe: Broccoli is often overcooked, leaving it soggy and without flavor. Here Alex and I will show you our go-to simple sauteed broccoli recipe: how to cook it so it’s lightly browned but perfectly crisp tender and flavorful!
Other favorite ways to cook broccoli? Try our steamed broccoli, roasted broccoli, and roasted broccoli and carrots recipes, or head to How to Cook Broccoli for more!
Broccoli is basic, right? But so many home cooks cook it way beyond the point of no return. Overcooked broccoli is the worst: it’s limp and lifeless. Instead, you’ll want to cook it just to the point where it’s tender, but still bright green and crisp. Even better: it takes less time! There’s no reason to spend the time extra overcooking it (ha!). Here are our tips on how to make the best sauteed broccoli:
Step 1: Chop into medium-sized florets. Try to leave a good amount of the stem to make a lovely shape, so the broccoli doesn’t look stubby! Chop them into medium-sized pieces: not so small they disintegrate, but not so large they’re too tough to cut.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli and sauté for 5 minutes. Watch the pan and stir so the broccoli doesn’t get too browned. Stir in the seasonings (salt, spices, etc).
Step 3: Cover and cook 2 minutes more. Covering the broccoli at the end locks in the moisture and steams it, helping it to get fully cooked through and tender instead of more browned.
And that’s it! Perfectly seasoned sauteed broccoli in just 10 minutes.
The key to great tasting sauteed broccoli is the seasonings! First and foremost, make sure to salt it perfectly to taste. Then to accessorize, we used sliced green onion, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder (see the recipe below). If you have a lemon, topping with lemon zest gives it the perfect zing! Here are a few more ideas for flavoring:
Broccoli is a super nutritious cruciferous vegetable! It’s high in fiber (with 2.4 grams per 1 cup), which is helpful for keeping you full and helping with digestion. It also has relatively high protein for a vegetable (2.5 grams per 1 cup), and is high in Vitamin C, K and iron. Read more broccoli nutrition facts here.
Of course, there’s no end to dishes to pair with this sauteed broccoli! It’s so versatile that it literally goes with anything (like a perfect pair of jeans!). Here are a few ideas for mains that would pair nicely:
This sauteed broccoli recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Fresh broccoli florets are ideal. Look for firm, deep green florets with tight buds. Avoid broccoli with yellowing florets or a mushy texture.
We don’t recommend it. Frozen broccoli florets have a softer texture and may release more water during cooking.
Steaming broccoli preserves its vibrant green color and slightly more nutrients. Sautéing allows for browning and caramelization, developing a deeper and more complex flavor.
Blanching (briefly boiling) broccoli florets for a minute or two before sauteing can help soften them slightly and ensure even cooking. However, it’s not essential, especially if you prefer your broccoli with a bit of a bite.
The possibilities are endless! Popular additions include garlic, shallots, ginger, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, lemon juice, toasted nuts, or even a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Make your broccoli taste amazing in just 10 minutes! This easy sauteed broccoli highlights its fresh flavor and comes out perfectly crisp tender.
Keywords: Sauteed Broccoli
This easy baked asparagus recipe is ready in 20 minutes and bursting with flavor. Perfectly tender-crisp with a hint of…
This easy baked asparagus recipe is ready in 20 minutes and bursting with flavor. Perfectly tender-crisp with a hint of char, it’s the veggie side you’ll crave all spring and summer long!
What’s your favorite way to make asparagus? Here’s our favorite: this easy baked asparagus! It’s roasted in a hot oven until tender but still beautifully green. Then spritz it with lemon, the way to make this healthy veggie taste over-the-moon good. The finishing touch? Add some salty Parmesan cheese.
Yes, it’s the perfect way to eat asparagus, which can sometimes come out bland or stringy. Even better, it’s a side dish that’s simple enough to whip up while you’re in the midst of cooking easy dinner.
A few other ways to cook asparagus? Try grilled asparagus, roasted asparagus, broiled asparagus, sauteed asparagus or steamed asparagus.
To be honest, I was pretty iffy on asparagus growing up. The image of pushing lifeless green stalks around on my plate as a child is seared into my memory! It wasn’t until adulthood that I started to give it a chance. Even today, when asparagus isn’t cooked correctly it can send me right back to those days.
Luckily this baked asparagus recipe makes it taste so good, even our toddler gobbled it up! The lemon and Parmesan asparagus combo is a smash hit every time. How long to bake asparagus? Bake it for 10 to 15 minutes at 425°F. Here’s what to do (or go right to the recipe):
Step 1: Cut the asparagus to remove the woody ends. Throw them on a foil or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Step 2: Toss the asparagus with olive oil to coat, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Top with shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)
Step 3: Bake at 425°F for 10 to 15 minutes, until the largest stem is fork tender. The timing depends on the thickness of the stalks.
We love this baked asparagus recipe most with lemon and Parmesan cheese. But there are so many ways to step it up! Here are a few ideas:
This baked asparagus recipe is a great side dish to have as part of your repertoire because it’s so versatile. It has an elegant vibe: there’s nothing pedestrian about baked asparagus with Parmesan, right? It says, I have my stuff together. (Or whatever word you’d like to insert there.)
Another bonus for asparagus is that it’s relatively high in fiber (1 cup of cooked asparagus has 4 grams of fiber). So it’s great for pairing with a vegetable-free meal like cheesy risotto or mac and cheese. Here are a few great recipes to serve it with:
This baked Parmesan asparagus is part of a collection of our best vegetable side dishes! Ready to jump on the train? Let us know if you try it in the comments, or check out more of our easy asparagus recipes. Here are a few more you’ll love to make on the regular:
This baked asparagus recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, omit the Parmesan cheese or go to roasted asparagus.
Fresh asparagus spears should be firm and snap easily when bent near the base. The tips should be tightly closed and not flowering.
No, peeling asparagus is not necessary for most recipes, especially if the spears are thin and tender. You can cut off the woody ends about an inch from the bottom.
This recipe is a great base for customization! Explore different flavor combinations by adding a drizzle of balsamic glaze after baking, seasoning with Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, or topping with lemon dill sauce after baking.
This easy baked asparagus recipe is ready in 20 minutes and bursting with flavor. Perfectly tender-crisp with a hint of char, it’s the veggie side you’ll crave all spring and summer long!
This recipe is a great base for customization! Explore different flavor combinations by seasoning with Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, adding a drizzle of balsamic glaze, or serving with lemon dill sauce.
Keywords: Baked Asparagus, Easy Asparagus Recipe, Parmesan Asparagus, How Long to Bake Asparagus
Make perfectly tender grilled asparagus in minutes! Here are the secrets to achieving smoky char and bright flavor to this…
Make perfectly tender grilled asparagus in minutes! Here are the secrets to achieving smoky char and bright flavor to this delicious side dish.
Usually we make roasted asparagus or broiled asparagus, but here’s our warm-weather favorite: grilled asparagus! Grilling might be the very best way to cook asparagus: it’s easy, requires only a few ingredients, and comes out tender and charred, with a hint of smoke.
Spritz it with lemon juice for a little brightness, and it’s a fresh and healthy side dish you won’t be able to stop eating! Alex and I have now added asparagus to our regular rotation for grill recipes for the season.
Two pluses to grilled asparagus: you only need a few ingredients and it’s extraordinarily quick to grill! Here’s what you’ll need:
If you’d like you can sprinkle with some Parmesan cheese as a garnish, but it’s not necessary flavor-wise. It’s perfect with just a spritz of lemon!
You don’t need anything special for grilled asparagus like a grill basket: just place it right on the grill grates! The only thing to keep in mind is that thinner spears of asparagus cook faster. You may even want to cut off more of the tough thick ends that you usually would, because they’ll take longer to cook than the thin tops.
Step 1: Trim the woody ends from the asparagus. Toss it with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Step 2: Place the spears directly on the oven grates. Grill about 3 to 4 minutes until charred and tender.
Step 3: Spritz with fresh lemon juice and serve. If desired, top with grated Parmesan cheese.
For exact steps and quantities, go to the full recipe below.
Variations: For a spicy kick, add a sprinkle of red chili flakes before serving. Or, serve topped with a sauce like lemon dill sauce or mustard sauce, or sprinkle with fresh herbs like basil, chives, or mint.
Since grilled asparagus is so easy to prepare, it’s a natural pairing with all sorts of grilled meals! Once you’ve got the grill fired up for the main dish, it’s easy to toss on some spears. Here’s what we’d recommend serving with it:
For more grilled recipes from proteins to vegetables, try our top 40 Grill Recipes for the Season. Some favorites are grilled green beans and grilled corn.
Love asparagus? Check out how to cook asparagus and our favorite asparagus recipes below!
This grilled asparagus recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Asparagus spears come in various thicknesses. Choose thin or medium-thick spears for best results on the grill. They’ll cook evenly without getting mushy.
Grilling time depends on the thickness of your asparagus. Most spears take about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
The asparagus is ready when it turns bright green, becomes tender-crisp to the bite, and develops slight char marks. You can also gently pierce a spear with a fork – it should give slightly with minimal resistance.
Make perfectly tender grilled asparagus in minutes! Here are the secrets to achieving smoky char and bright flavor to this delicious side dish.
Variations: For a spicy kick, add a sprinkle of red chili flakes before serving. Or, serve topped with a sauce like lemon dill sauce or mustard sauce.
Keywords: Grilled asparagus, how to grill asparagus