Crispy Oven Baked French Fries

I don't know how many times I've tried to bake potato wedges or sticks do end up with a soggy mess.  How to you get the crispiness of deep-fried french fries in the oven? Gwyneth Paltrow's trick is to soak the potato slices in ice cold water before baking! Sure enough...it works...everytime. This is my new favorite side dish for black bean or Turkey Burgers.  Serve with some Sriracha Ketchup to heat it up.

Ingredients:

-2-3 large russet potatoes (you can peel if you want)
-2 Tbsp olive oil
-1 Tbsp sea salt

Equipment Needed:

-parchment paper to help prevent sticking
-large bowl of ice water

Roasted Tomato Summer Spaghetti with Squash Blossoms

Summertime means tomatoes.  My favorite are the little cherry and grape tomatoes that have a burst of flavor in every bite.  Perfectly ripe and wonderfully flavored tomatoes are the key to this dish, so try to find some locally grown ones from your grocery store or farmers market.  A blend of different types is what I used, which made the dish that much more complex.  This summer dish uses the tomato juices, olive oil and a sprinkle of parmesan as the sauce. I also have squash blossoms galore in the garden as my yellow squash, zucchini and pumpkins are coming to fruition.  You may also find these at the farmers markets but if you can't find the delicate flowers the dish will be fabulous without them.  Give yourself 20 minutes and this dish will be on the table and ready to enjoy.

Ingredients:

-6 ounces whole wheat spaghetti or angel hair pasta
-1/2 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
-3 Tbsp olive oil
-2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
-1/2 bell pepper, diced (I use a small purple beauty bell pepper, red would work)
-salt and pepper
-1/2 cup pasta water reserved
-1 tsp fresh oregano
-1/2 cup squash blossoms, stems and stamens removed
-4 Tbsp parmesan cheese

Pearl Couscous with Roasted Tomatoes and Thyme

One of my favorite starch side dishes, especially with fish, is Pearl or Israeali Couscous like in this recipe with spinach.  This is a new twist on the dish I tried the other night with leftover grape tomatoes, although cherry or any other small tomato variety could also be used.  It's easy, quick, silky and flavorful.  Try it next time your looking for something to serve with meat or seafood.

Ingredients:


-1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
-1 Tbsp olive oil + more to drizzle at the end
-1 Tbsp dried minced garlic
-2 cups pearl cousocous
-2 1/2 cups of water
-1/2 cup chicken broth
-1/2 Tbsp dried thyme (or 1 Tbsp fresh)
-salt and pepper to taste

Rosemary Potato Cubes

I admit, I'm addicted to Pinterest. This is one of those recipes I stumbled upon during one of those late night "pinning crazes". It's from Delicious Days. I made it as a side dish with my Flank Steak and Horseradish Dipping Sauce.  I used the dipping sauce with these and it was fabulous!

Ingredients:


-6-10 waxy potatoes, like Yukon Golds
-3 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
-1 Tbsp sea salt
-pepper to taste
-olive oil

Saffron Red Potatoes

I made these as a side dish to Oysters Rockefeller. I had some saffron leftover so when I stumbled upon this recipe in Cooking Light I was excited to try it. They were so easy to make an almost shined more than the oysters! If you want an easy side dish with a bit of "fancy", here ya go! The saffron adds a wonderful flavor and makes the potatoes a beautiful golden hue.

Ingredients:

-1/2 cup water
-1/4 cup chopped parsley
-1 Tbsp. olive oil
-1/2 tsp sea salt
-1/2 tsp pepper
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-Dash of Saffron threads
-1 lb. red potatoes

Cajun Roasted Red Potatoes

This is a great, easy side for many dinners, especially fish.  Any cajun or creole seasoning will work in this recipe.  I made this at my mom's house and she had Louisiana Cajun Seasoning.  

Ingredients:


-Red Potatoes quartered or smaller (amount depends on how many people you're serving)
-2 Tbsp of olive oil
-1 Tbsp Cajun Seasoning Blend
-salt and pepper

Light Soba Noodle Salad

I've had soba noodles in the pantry for quite some time but didn't know what to make.  When I made this miso-glazed sea bass the other night this was the perfect opportunity to make a light Asian side-dish. It was even fabulous cold the next day! This recipe would complement most fish or add chicken and veggies to make a whole meal!

Ingredients:

-2 Tbsp olive oil

-2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

-1 Tbsp rice vinegar

-2 Tbsp Black and/or White Sesame Seeds or Eden Shake

-1 Tbsp lime juice

-3-4 Tbsp chopped green onions

Easy Wasabi Mashed Potatoes

So I cheated in a major way when I made this dish.  I used INSTANT mashed potatoes.  I was looking for a quick and easy side to go with our Seared Ahi Tuna dish.  It was way to late to peel, boil and mash potatoes so I pulled this out of the pantry and basically added wasabi powder.

Ingredients:

-1 packet of instant mashed potatoes

-2 Tbsp butter

-1.5 cups of water

-1/2 cup of milk

-2 Tbsp of wasabi powder

-Scallions (optional for garnish)