Hi Everyone!

I’m excited to bring you five of my favourite sides from 2020 that I tend to use over and over.  I’ve based this on several factors – ease, cost, taste, appearance and family friendly.

So, number one:  Rosemary Flavoured Potato Rounds

These are  a nice change from the usual baked potato.  They can be done by thinly slicing peeled potatoes and placing the slices in individual little circles, overlapping.  Place them on baking paper which has been lightly sprayed for ease of lifting them off.  Sprinkle with salt and fresh rosemary leaves and a drizzle of oil.  Bake at 200°c for 35 minutes or until crispy.  You can use them as a side or place a chicken breast on top.  Not only is it easy but if looks spectacular.  

Number two:  Potato & Parsnip Al Forno

This potato dish was the jewel in the crown of side dishes with it’s hazelnuts, thyme & garlic, it made for a welcome variation on the old potato bake. I found it in the November Woolies magazine.  It is truly an indulgent-feeling side dish.  You get your hands in amongst it when you prepare it by just mooshing up all the ingredients in the dish and then laying it out evenly to bake. Very rustic. The smell throughout the house whilst it is cooking is to die for.

Number three:  Summer Salad with Zesty Tahini Dressing

This is a recipe pinched from my vegetarian friend (the gorgeous Soo).  It is a beautiful and unusual layering of flavours, combining vegetables and strawberries with nuts and lentils.  The dressing is just lovely but I must say that when I smelt it I was a little put off which just goes to show you how wrong I can be because it is fabulous with the salad. This would also be a wonderfully rounded meal for a vegetarian with the addition of some gently fried halloumi.

Number four:  Charred Vegetable Salad

I have done this dish loads of times when I need to add some greens to a meal and in particular when I’m feeding a lot of people because it can be pre-done on the griddle pan or the BBQ and then finished off last minute.  It can be served at room temperature or you can gently warm it in the microwave.  The pancetta and crumbled feta with a simple dressing of oil and balsamic just finishes it off to perfection.  There has never been a time when I have served this side dish that I haven’t been asked for the recipe.

Number five:  Stir Fried Cauliflower

The cauliflowers are pretty much lovely at any time of year but were particularly scrumptious when I decided to try this delicious stir-fried cauliflower, choy sum and snake bean dish.  I did it ahead of time and just gave it a gentle warm through in the microwave.  It was so tasty and it’s another one that would stand on it’s own as a meal to serve your vegetarian friends with perhaps the addition of some tofu or grilled halloumi.

So those are five of my favourites but there are so many more it was very hard to choose.  Give these ones a go for starters.

Until next week,

From my table to yours with love x