Serve a quick and easy side dish to complement your main dish. These delicious dishes take mere minutes to prepare.
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December 15, 2008
1 of 32Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Charred Okra with Tomatoes
Charred Okra with Tomatoes
Recipe A serrated peeler works like magic to peel plum tomatoes, sparing you the hassle of blanching and shocking in ice water to get the skins off.
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2 of 32Photo: Christopher Testani; Styling: Paige Hicks
Esquites (Creamy Corn Salad)
Esquites (Creamy Corn Salad)
Recipe Esquites is a cousin to elote--that street food favorite of creamy cheese-coated corn cobs. You can also find this off-the-cob version with Mexican street food vendors. It's great on its own or served as a side dish with grilled meats.
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Mediterranean Green Beans
Mediterranean Green Beans Recipe Boiled green beans get a jolt of Mediterranean flavor in this easy flavorful make-ahead side. While the green beans boil, stir together a delicious blend of flavors then drizzle on, chill, and you have a side ready to serve when dinner comes around.
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4 of 32Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Quick Farro Salad
Quick Farro Salad
Recipe This simple salad is versatile and pairs wonderfully with meat and fish.
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5 of 32Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Linda Hirst
Pearl Couscous and Currants
Pearl Couscous and Currants Recipe Pearl Couscous and Currants is a perfect side for your favorite skewer recipe. It only takes a quick boil, simmer, and a couple flavor boosters and you have a simple side served in no time.
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6 of 32Photo: Susie Cushner
Garlic-Mint Peas
Garlic-Mint Peas Recipe Ready in less than ten minutes, this easy side dish brings green peas back to the table, dressed-up with the flavor of fresh mint and a hint of sugar.
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7 of 32Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Citrusy Carrots with Parsley
Citrusy Carrots with Parsley Recipe We took a simple approach to cooking carrots for dinner. Ready in less than 10 minutes, this side gets its sweet from a tablespoon of honey.
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8 of 32Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Gorgonzola and Sage
Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Gorgonzola and Sage Recipe This simple side dish is perfect to start while you are whipping up a side salad, or putting the finishing touches on your main course. After 20 minutes, the potatoes are tender and ready to be mashed for a quick and delicious side.
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9 of 32Photo: Charles Maraia
Charred-Corn Succotash
Charred-Corn Succotash Recipe Pair a colorful side dish with any main-dish staple on your family's favorites list. This is a great recipe for kids learning to use pincher fingers and the names of colors. Ask them to show you a red veggie, then applaud as they dig into this lightly-seasoned dish.
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10 of 32Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Broccoli With Orange Sauce Recipe Move broccoli off your kids' "enemies" list by pairing them with a childhood favorite: orange segments. Low-fat lemon yogurt and a touch of ginger add flavor that the whole family will enjoy.
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12 of 32Photo: Leigh Beisch; Styling: Merilee Bordin
Roasted Asparagus
Roasted Asparagus Recipe Toss asparagus with olive oil, salt, pepper, parmesan cheese, and lemon juice, then bake for ten minutes. This fresh dish is delicious hot out of the oven or when slightly warm, so it's forgiving if your meatloaf needs a few more minutes to brown. Get the smaller appetites at the table eating this green veggie by treating them as finger foods.
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13 of 32Thomas J. Story
Israeli Couscous with Fresh Peas and Mint
Israeli Couscous with Fresh Peas and Mint Recipe Instead of serving instant rice again, make a quick batch of Israeli couscous dressed up with peas and mint. The recipe takes only fifteen minutes and adds fiber and a green veggie to the dinner plate.
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14 of 32Photo: Karry Hosford
Lemony Green Beans
Lemony Green Beans Recipe Dress up any favorite green vegetable with this light, lemon-and-olive-oil sauce. It brightens everything from asparagus to broccoli, but pairs perfectly with green beans.
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15 of 32Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Toasty Tomatoes
Toasty Tomatoes Recipe These Toasty Tomatoes are broiled with a panko-parmesan mixture sprinkled on top for a warm, flavorful, staff-favorite side that’s ready in less than five minutes.
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16 of 32Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
17 of 32Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Zucchini Ribbons with Lemon and Pecorino
Zucchini Ribbons with Lemon and Pecorino Recipe Just a squeeze of lemon, dash of salt and pepper, and sprinkle of shaved Romano cheese is all you need to dress up this light and refreshing side of zucchini ribbons.
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18 of 32Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Corn with Chile-Cheese Mayo
Corn with Chile-Cheese Mayo Recipe Give your average corn on the cob a flavorful kick with fresh cilantro, grated Parmesan cheese, and a touch of chili powder.
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19 of 32Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Warm-Spiced Okra
Warm-Spiced Okra Recipe This okra gets its kick from curry powder and crushed red pepper. It's hard to believe something so yummy could only take five minutes to prepare.
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20 of 32Photo: Antonis Achilleos
Lemon-Spinach Chickpeas
Lemon-Spinach Chickpeas Recipe Introduce spinach into the side dish rotation with this lively recipe, flavored with lemon juice and a little kosher salt. Pair with pitas for the younger diners to scoop up the greens while mom and dad forge into the flavorful dish with a fork.
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21 of 32Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Blasted Brussels Sprouts with Teriyaki Glaze
Blasted Brussels Sprouts with Teriyaki Glaze Recipe The sweet blend of soy sauce, sake, sugar, and ginger in teriyaki sauce gives your Brussels sprouts a crisp tang. Bake this three-ingredient dish for 12 to 15 minutes, and you're ready to eat.
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22 of 32Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Charred Eggplant with Miso Dressing
Charred Eggplant with Miso Dressing Recipe Grilling vegetables gives them just the right amount of heat and char for a delightful side ready in no time. Here, the flavor from the Miso, a Japanese staple, gives this quick side a slightly salty, pungent flavor.
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23 of 32Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
25 of 32Photo: Stephen Devries; Styling: Lynn Nesmith
Chipotle-Orange Potato Planks
Chipotle-Orange Potato Planks Recipe Microwaving potatoes ahead of time makes the grill time much faster. With only five ingredients and three short steps, you’ll have grilled potatoes ready and served in a flash.
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26 of 32Photo: Quentin Bacon
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Black Bean and Corn Salsa Recipe With an ingredient list of only three ingredients that are all pantry items, this mix-and-serve, no-cook side dish is ready to eat whenever you are. Serve with quesadillas on a Mexican night, with burgers for a flavorful and warm dinner year-round, or as a fresh side to a fish filet. Dress it up with a drizzle of lime juice if you like.
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27 of 32Photo: Susie Cushner
Corn with Mustard Seeds
Corn with Mustard Seeds Recipe Serve a spicy and fresh side perfect for enhancing a simple chicken or fish dinner. Ready in about 10 minutes, it's guaranteed to please every palate at your dinner table.
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28 of 32Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Arugula with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
Arugula with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette Recipe This simple salad gets a smoky drizzle of warm bacon dressing that only takes 10 minutes to prepare. Served as a delicious starter or alongside of dinner, this superfast side will be a crowd pleaser at the dinner table.
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29 of 32Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Claire Spollen
Asparagus with Garlic-Parsley Butter Recipe Asparagus gets a zing of lemon zest and a buttery-garlic finish with this superfast, super simple side. In only 10 minutes, this spring vegetable delivers bold flavors and a delicious crunch to the dinner table.
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31 of 32Photo: Stephen Devries; Styling: Lynn Nesmith
Grilled Cauliflower
Grilled Cauliflower Recipe Briny capers and sweet red peppers give a punch of flavor to grilled cauliflower. With only a couple short steps, this recipe is ready and served in less than 20 minutes.
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Sugar Snap Pea and Mushroom Sauté
Sugar Snap Pea and Mushroom Sauté Recipe No need to stress about making a side dish with this easy 6-ingredient recipe. It has a subtle Asian flavor, making it perfect to pair with an Asian-inspired main course.