side dishes | Zosia Cooks

Category Archives: side dishes

Crispy Smashed Roasted Potatoes

olive oil, potatoes, side dishes April 11, 2016 Leave a comment

I’ve been trying to make more interesting side dishes to accompany my entrees. While I will spend hours perfecting the perfect main course, by the time I get to the side dishes, I seem to run out of momentum. This recipe for a ridiculously easy potato dish is courtesy of Fine Cooking Magazine. With only three ingredients and a little prior planning this dish comes together quickly. (Plus smashing the potatoes is a lot of fun!). I served the potatoes with sour cream and chives to go along with grilled chicken. I’m now thinking that I could easily dress the potatoes up for a more formal dinner or even serve them with a dipping sauce as a part of a buffet table. Regardless of how I make them in the future, this dish is a keeper.

CRISPY SMASHED ROASTED POTATOES

12 to 15 baby red potatoes

2 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 cup olive oil

Boil the potatoes:

Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with at least one inch of water. Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook the potatoes until they are completely tender and can easily be pierced with a skewer. Make sure they are cooked through but don’t over cook. The total cooking time will be 30-35 minutes.
While the potatoes are cooking, set up a double layer of clean dish towels on the counter top. As the potatoes finish cooking, remove them individually from the water, and let them drain and sit for just a minute or two on the dishtowels.

Flatten and cool the potatoes:

Fold another dishtowel into quarters, and using it as a cover, gently press down on one potato with the palm of your hand to flatten it a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Repeat with all of the potatoes. Don’t worry if some break apart a bit; you can still use them.
Cover a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil; place a piece of parchment on top of the foil. Transfer the flattened potatoes to the baking sheet and let them cool completely to room temperature.

Roast the potatoes:

Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle the potatoes with about 3/4 teaspoon of salt and pour the olive oil over them. Lift the potatoes gently to make sure some of the oil goes underneath them and they are well coated on both sides. Roast the potatoes until they are crispy and deep brown around the edges, about 30 to 40 minutes, turning over once gently with a spatula half way through cooking.
Serve hot.

Wine Sautéed Baby Artichokes

artichokes, lemon juice, side dishes, vegetables, white wine February 9, 2016 Leave a comment

Fresh artichokes are probably one of my favorite vegetables and baby artichokes are even better than the larger version of this funny looking vegetable. Tender and mild with a slightly nutty flavor, you can eat them whole without having to worry the prickly choke in their center. And fresh artichokes are nothing like the canned or pickled ones most people are more familiar with.

There are so many ways you can use fresh baby artichokes but my favorite way is a simple preparation with a few herbs, some lemon juice and a bit of white wine. This recipe is a classic that I adapted from Gourmet Magazine and it really doesn’t get much simpler than this. For the best flavor, choose fresh, firm and brightly colored artichokes. You can use whatever dried herbs you have on hand. The most important thing, however, is to go light on the herbs since you want to be able to enjoy the taste of the artichokes.

WINE SAUTEED BABY ARTICHOKES

8 baby artichokes

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled

1/4 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 cup dry white wine

1/8 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes

Bend the outer leaves of the artichokes back until they snap off close to the base and remove several more layers of leaves in the same manner until the white inner leaves are reached. Trim the tips and quarter the artichokes.
In a small bowl toss the artichokes with the flour and salt and black pepper to taste.
Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet set over moderate heat until it is hot but not smoking
Add the garlic and cook until it has softened.
Add the artichokes and sauté them over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes.
Stir in the oregano, basil and the lemon juice and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add the wine and the red pepper flake and simmer the mixture, covered, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the artichokes are very tender.
Uncover and boil over high heat for 1 minute or until it is thickened slightly.

Serves 4

Potatoes Dauphinoise

Cheddar cheese, cream, milk, potatoes, sherry, side dishes January 21, 2016 Leave a comment

potatoes

What is more comforting than ooey, gooey, cheesy potatoes? While I’ve been known to enjoy a bowl of them by themselves, they are also the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, roasts or even a big green salad. They seem to turn any dish into a meal. And while there are many versions of this potato dish out there, I love this one which I’ve adapted from Cooking Light.

And what isn’t to love? This dish never fails to satisfy and it can easily be reduced in half or doubled in size depending upon the crowd you are serving. It is wonderful piping hot out of the oven and I think it tastes even better reheated the next day. And sometimes when I’m looking to save time, I use a bag of pre-cut and partially cooked potato slices. Doing this will reduce your preparation time meaning you can be enjoying this mouthwatering dish that much sooner.

POTATOS DAUPHINOISE

2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick rounds

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, sliced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups whole milk

3/4 cup half-and-half

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup dry sherry

2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 400°.
Coat an 11 x 7-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
Place potatoes in a large saucepan; fill pan with enough cold water to cover potatoes by 2 inches. Place pan over high heat. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or just until tender. Drain well.
Gently layer one-third of potatoes in overlapping rows in prepared dish.
Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil, swirling to coat.
Add the onion and garlic; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine the flour, milk, half-and-half, salt, nutmeg, and pepper in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk.
Add the milk mixture to pan; cook 3 minutes or until smooth and mixture thickens slightly, stirring constantly with a whisk.
Add the sherry to the mixture and stir well to combine.
Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard solids.
Pour one-third of milk mixture over potatoes in baking dish.
Repeat layers twice with remaining potatoes and milk mixture. Sprinkle evenly with cheese.
Place pan in upper third of oven; bake at 400° for 12 minutes or until bubbling around edges. Turn broiler to high, leaving pan in oven; broil 1 minute or until browned.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 10

Tomato & Jalapeno Salsa

cilantro, jalapenos, lime, shallots, side dishes, tomatoes, Uncategorized January 18, 2016 1 Comment

Nothing completes a great Mexican dish more than a side of freshly made salsa. And despite what you may think fresh salsa is incredibly easy to make; so easy that you’ll never go back to the jarred version again.

I love to use grape tomatoes for this dish since they are so sweet, have minimal seeds and easy to cut up. If you prefer you can use another type of tomato but you may want to remove some of the seeds before adding them to the bowl. The same goes for the jalapeño pepper. If you prefer a more fiery dish there isn’t any need to remove the seeds before mincing the pepper. You can also add an additional if you like (I usually do).

This salsa is perfect with tacos or fajitas, as a dressing for a salad or filling for an omelet or as a dip for tortilla chips. Actually, it is pretty darn good regardless of how you use it. Enjoy!

TOMATO & JALAPENO SALSA

1 quart grape tomatoes, quartered

1 jalapeño pepper, minced, more to taste

1 small shallot, minced

1 bunch cilantro,minced

1 lime, juiced

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl, mixing well to combine.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Stir well, add additional salt if needed and serve.

Yields: 1 1/2 cups

Creamy Herbed Polenta w/ Mushrooms

corn, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, polenta, side dishes, slow cooker December 28, 2015 Leave a comment

One of my favorite side dishes in polenta. Warm and creamy it is satisfying on its own and makes the perfect bed for soaking up rich sauces and stews. When dining out I will often select a dish simply because the main entree is accompanied by polenta. But despite my love of this dish, until recently I rarely cooked it at home. Why? After all making it is quite simple; all you really need is boiling water and cornmeal and a spoon for stirring. Lots of stirring. And that is why I tended to shy away from making homemade polenta. Try as I might; experimenting with temperature, cooking apparatus and spoon, my polenta would inevitably end up filled with unappetizing lumps. But then I broke out my slow cooker.

Yes, polenta made in a slow cooker. Really, nothing could be easier and best of all, there simply aren’t any lumps. I love it. This recipe is from William Sonoma and is everything a good polenta should be. It is rich and creamy and this version is studded with corn kernels. By topping it off with sautéed mushrooms you have a complete meal by itself. Or you can serve it along side your favorite meat dish that has lots of juice you want to sop up.

CREAMY HERBED POLENTA w/ MUSHROOMS

4 cups low sodium chicken stock

1 cup stone-ground polenta

1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large shallot, finely chopped

3/4 pound brushed clean and quartered

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

2 tablespoons minced fresh oregano

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels

In a slow cooker, stir together the stock, polenta, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper.
Cover and cook on the low setting for 3 to 3 1⁄2 hours, stirring two or three times if possible. The liquid should be absorbed and the polenta should be thick and soft and no longer gritty.
About 10 minutes before the polenta is ready, in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter with the oil.
Add the shallot and mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are tender and their liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and parsley, season with remaining salt and pepper, and cook for 1 minute more.
About 5 minutes before the polenta is ready, stir in the oregano and thyme, Parmesan and corn kernels, then re-cover.
Spoon the polenta into warm shallow bowls or a serving bowl and top with the mushroom mixture.
Serve immediately.

Serves 4 to 6.

Cranberry Orange Relish

cranberries, orange, sauce, side dishes November 24, 2015 Leave a comment

Here’s an oldie but goodie that never fails to earn rave reviews on Thanksgiving.

Who wants that cranberry jelly from a tin can when you can make a fresh and flavorful cranberry relish in a matter of minutes. This dish always brings me back to my childhood and to this day I can’t eat turkey without thinking of and longing for this side dish. Try it, you’ll love it.

CRANBERRY ORANGE RELISH

1 pound fresh cranberries, washed and picked over

1 whole organic orange, scrubbed

1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar

Pinch of salt

Working in batches, pulse the cranberries until coarse in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Place the chopped cranberries in a large bowl.
Cut the orange into eight pieces, leaving the peel on but removing any seeds. Place the orange pieces in the food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add to the cranberries.
Add the salt and 1/2 cup of the sugar to the cranberries; stir to combine. Cover and allow to sit for several hours or preferably overnight.
Stir the relish and add more sugar if needed.

Yields 3 cups

Butternut Squash & Kale Saute

balsamic vinegar, butternut squash, cranberries, kale, pecans, side dishes November 23, 2015 Leave a comment

Thanksgiving is just a few days away but are you ready? The turkey and all of the traditional sides might be set but what about adding a healthy and colorful dish to the table? My new go-to dish and one that I will be serving is this kale and butternut squash dish courtesy of Simply Recipes. Because it is only lightly sautéed, the kale remains bright and crisp while the butternut squash adds color and a sweet flavor to the dish. And when you add in cranberries and pecans, this side dish practically becomes a meal unto itself.

It is so good that even the non-kale eaters amongst you will love it. And it will be a dish that you make over and over again long after the Thanksgiving leftovers have been eaten.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH & KALE SAUTE

4 cups 3/4-inch cubes of butternut squash

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, divided

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 cups sliced red onion

1 tablespoon minced garlic

6 cups thinly sliced kale

1/3 cup dried sweetened cranberries

1/2 cup slightly broken up pecans

Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 425. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Place the squash in a bowl and toss it with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, 1 teaspoon of the balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.
Spread the squash on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes or until the squash is cooked through and the edges have begun to brown.
While the squash is roasting heating the remaining olive oil in a large pot set over medium high heat.
Add the onion and toss to coat. Cook for 7 minutes or until the onion begins to soften. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Add the remaining balsamic vinegar and the kale to the pot. Stir until the kale and the onions are combined. Let the mixture cook until the kale is just wilted, about 2 minutes.
Stir in the roasted squash, the cranberries and the pecans.
Season with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
Serve immediately.

Serves 4

Drippy Corn

chili, corn on the cob, creme fraiche, Parmesan cheese, side dishes, vegetables August 31, 2015 Leave a comment

Summer isn’t quite over and there is still time to grab what I consider to be the quintessential summer vegetable–fresh corn on the cob. The best corn on the cob is picked and eaten within a few hours and it is so sweet that neither butter nor salt is needed. And if you have your own garden or easy access to a farm, you just might be able to partake in this freshest of fresh endeavors. But those of us who aren’t so fortunate needn’t despair since tasty fresh corn on cob is still available in most markets this time of year. Corn on the cob is tasty when simply boiled or steamed and is delicious when grilled with olive oil and fresh herbs. But if you want to dress the corn up further why not go all out?

I’ve adapted this recipe from The Splendid Table and this takes an ear of corn to a whole new level. The corn is drenched in melted butter as it is grilled which infuses the corn with a sweet and slightly charred flavor. A thick coating of tangy creme fraise helps the freshly grated parmesan cheese adhere to the ears which are then dusted with chili powder. This corn is so good that it is often the main attraction on the plate. I like to serve it with a simple grilled meat that allows the corn to really shine. And as an added bonus the corn toppings are so delicious that they can turn a ho-hum ear into something fabulous. How can you not try this?

DRIPPY CORN

6 ears fresh sweet corn, husks removed

1 /2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 cups creme fraiche

About 3 cups freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1/2 cup medium hot chili powder

1 lime, cut into six wedges

Place the corn on a medium-high grill. Using tongs to turn the ears, grill the corn for 8 to 10 minutes, brushing generously with butter with each turn.
Remove the corn to a platter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Spread the creme friche on a shallow plate and the cheese on another plate.
When the corn is cool enough to touch, roll it in the creme fraise, draining off the excess.
Roll the creme fraise coated ears in the grated parmesan cheese then sprinkle evenly with the chili powder.
Serve immediately with the lime wedges.

Serves 6

Cucumber-Celery Slaw

celery, cucumbers, parsley, pepperoncini, salads, side dishes July 7, 2015 Leave a comment

Sometimes the simplest things are the best. Case in point this cool yet spicy salad from Food 52. The ingredients are minimal: cucumbers, celery, pepperoncini and parsley. The celery provides crunch while the cucumbers and parsley add a coolness that tames the fieriness of the peppers. That’s it. Do taste your pepperoncini before adding them to the salad though since not all peppers have the same level of heat.

The salad can be used to top burgers or as an easy side dish for grilled meat. It really is so easy.

CUCUMBER-CELERY SLAW

3/4 cup cucumber, peeled and sliced into half coins

3/4 cup celery, both leaves and stalks, chopped

1/4 cup pepperoncini, sliced

1/4 Italian parsley, chopped

Pinch of sugar

Salt & pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
Allow to sit for at least 1/2 an hour before serving.

Serves 4

Dijon Potato Salad

Dijon mustard, parsley, potato, side dishes June 30, 2015 Leave a comment

Are you looking for the perfect side dish for your backyard cookout this summer? Are you going to a pot luck and want an easily portable yet tasty dish to bring? Are you like me and hesitant to serve a mayonnaise ladened dish to an outdoor meal? If so, then this tangy potato salad is the dish you’ve been looking for.

Adapted from Williams Sonoma, this Dijon potato salad packs a punch without being overpowering. A generous serving of parsley adds brightness and a bit of crunch to the salad as well. The dressing is vinegar based so there isn’t any worry about the salad spoiling. And, because it can be served either cold or at room temperature (I prefer room temperature), it doesn’t take up much needed space in the refrigerator. What more do you need?

DIJON POTATO SALAD

2 pounds small, round red-skinned potatoes, each about 1 1/2 inches in diameter

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Place the potatoes in a large saucepan with water to cover.

Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper until blended.

When the potatoes are ready, drain them into a colander.

When they are cool enough to handle, quarter them and add them to the dressing.

Add the parsley folding gently to distribute the all of ingredients evenly.

Serve the salad warm or at room temperature.

Serves 6

Zosia Cooks

Category Archives: side dishes

Crispy Smashed Roasted Potatoes

Wine Sautéed Baby Artichokes

Potatoes Dauphinoise

Tomato & Jalapeno Salsa

Creamy Herbed Polenta w/ Mushrooms

Cranberry Orange Relish

Butternut Squash & Kale Saute

Drippy Corn

Cucumber-Celery Slaw

Dijon Potato Salad

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