Veggie Side Dishes

I often serve my veggies lightly steamed with some seasoned salt or lemon juice or both on them. I have a great steamer that you can put right in the microwave and steam your veggies for about 2-3 min. I prefer my veggies still slightly crisp and not soggy. I do this with green beans, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots.


A great recipe for carrots are to cut them in rounds and saute them in a little butter and honey. They are sooo sweet and yummy!

Crispy Fish with Tomato and Leek Saute (courtesy of Real Simple Magazine)

I LOVE this fish dish and so does my mother-in-law, she makes it about once a week since I made it for her a few months ago.

1 cup bread crumbs
1 t chopped fresh rosemary, or 1/4 t dried
2 T olive oil
4 6 oz pieces tilapia or any other white fish you prefer
1 T dijon mustard
2 leeks (white and light green parts) cut into half moons
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
salt and pepper

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together bread crumbs, rosemary, and olive oil. Place fish on baking sheet and spread mustard on top and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Bake until fish is
opaque. Meanwhile heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leaks, garlic and 1/2 cup water. Cook until tender and the liquid has mostly evaporated. Stir in the tomates, 1/2 t salt, and 1/4 t pepper. Serve with fish.

I like to also make rice with this dish. I prefer pilaf, but brown would be very good too.

Grilled Beer Chicken (courtesy of Rachael Ray)

I got his recipe from Rachael Ray's Magazine and it is really good and easy! I use chicken thighs because that is what I prefer to eat grilled, but you can use any cut of chicken.

One 12- ounce can or bottle of beer, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 T chili powder
1 T brown sugar
2 t salt


Put all ingredients in a ziplock and add your chicken. Marinate for about 30 min or so. Grill chicken until juices run clear.

I had this last night with some grilled baby eggplant. I really love grilled veggies in the summer. I grill zucchini, summer squash, and eggplant all summer. I just toss them with some olive oil and salt and pepper.