I'm no longer a one-dish wonder

Plus, lots of recipes for the week 🌞

Happy Wednesday night. I’ve been busy in the kitchen the past few days, and I have lots of new recipes to bring you.

A few months ago, my mom texted me out of the blue one night and asked me why I don't make side dishes. The conversation went like this:

Since that conversation, I realized that I could take a slightly different approach to how I do dinner. This also led to my newfound interest in serving ware, platters, serving bowls, and even tureens. Typically, when I make dinner, I pile and style everything into one plate and serve it just like that. I never really do the “family style” approach of having multiple sides in different bowls.

And, I’ll even admit something that sent my Dad into a tizzy: When I would make side dishes, I’d just serve them at the table in the pot I made them in.

Both of them have told me, “No, no, no, that just won’t do,” multiple times, but I wouldn’t listen. Until recently. And–if I’m being honest–I feel as though I’ve missed out on a lot of good cooking by trying to cram too much into one pot or plate. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good one-pot meal, but there’s something really fun about putting as much emphasis on the side as you do the main instead of treating it like an afterthought.

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With that said, I have three new side dish recipes for you.

Spicy Lime-Cilantro Potatoes

Perfect for Taco Tuesday, these lime-cilantro potatoes bring a nice heat to whatever main you serve with them; just be prepared for them to steal the show.

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Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Guanciale

This side dish gives your table instant glamor. Seriously. The crisp guanciale, balsamic glaze, and perfectly charred Brussels sprouts are nothing short of dazzling.

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Spicy Miso Brussels Sprouts

Sweet, spicy, and a little funky, these Brussels sprouts would go great with grilled chicken or steak. I had them alongside chicken tacos, but serve them with any protein you like.

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But wait, there’s more!

Steak Fajitas

You know I wouldn’t leave you hanging on the fajitas I mentioned above. I served these with a fantastic mango-avocado salsa and lots of charred peppers, which will make a perfect dinner for whenever it decides to warm up!

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My Favorite Salad

I wish I had a better name for this salad, but I sat and thought and thought, and all I can call it is My Favorite Salad. And it’s the truth. I can eat this salad on repeat. Oh! And you’re also going to love that Italian-seasoned chicken, I promise.

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Easy Caesar Dressing

If you decide to whip out your favorite store-bought dressing for the salad above, don’t let me stop you! I love a good shortcut, and there’s nothing more satisfying than making a salad without needing to break out the whisk or food processor. BUT! If you do want to try your hand at homemade, this easy Caesar dressing is my favorite. Plus, you can make a pot of pasta with the leftover anchovies.

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Coming up soon:

Those are all the new recipes I have for you. Tomorrow, I’ll be writing the recipe for this Ginger-Turmeric Udon (it was amazing), and it’ll be shared over on Exploring Vegan !

And, I’ve been thinking about venturing into the world of aspics. I found this “Try and Guess” Salad recipe on Reddit, and, while it does indeed sound perfectly horrible, I’m 95% sure I’m going to give it a whirl on Sunday just for the heck of it. I’m hoping the person who said it gets rave reviews isn’t lying. It serves 12, so I’ll need to find 12 willing participants to try a taste. Who’s in?

Hope everyone has a great rest of the week with lots of tasty food. 😊

-kylie