Tag: side dish

Utica Greens and Beans – Finding Good Fortune in Upstate New York

As many of you hardcore foodies know, there’s a southern tradition of eating beans and greens on New Year’s Day to help bring good fortune in the coming year.

By eating “poor” the first day of the year, you supposedly ensure prosperity and good luck the rest of the year. I think I speak for all superstitious, Italian-Americas when I say, that totally makes sense.

Whether you believe in such things or not, you should still try this year’s edible good luck charm, Utica Greens. This delicious Update New York vegetable casserole comes in many forms, but usually contains some combination of bitter greens, usually escarole, pancetta or prosciutto, hot fresh or pickled peppers, and bread crumbs.

I’m adding some cranberry beans, so you all get rich in 2014, but that’s totally fine since the locals often add chunks of potatoes, and once you start doing things like that, all bets are off. Whether side dish or main course, this is a perfect winter vegetable magnet, and I hope you give it a try soon. Enjoy, Happy New Year, and most of all, good fortune!

Ingredients for 6 side dish servings:

2 heads escarole

2 tbsp olive oil, divided

4 ounces pancetta or prosciutto, diced

handful of sliced fresh hot peppers, or jarred pickled peppers

3 cloves minced garlic

1 cup chicken broth

12 ounce can cooked cranberry beans, or Cannellini beans, butter beans, white beans, etc., optional

1/2 cup fine plain bread crumbs, plus more for the top

1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese

Spaghetti Squash with Arugula Pesto

Hi guys! Just wanted to share an easy recipe I had for lunch today made with spaghetti squash and pesto. This took less than 15 minutes to make and was delicious.

I am honored to be a guest blogger this month for Better Homes and Gardens. The task was simple, test out a few of their recipes adding my own spin to share on their blog, Delish Dish^[1]. As a side dish, this was under 150 calories or 4 PP. Please visit Delish Dish^[2] for the full recipe.

References

^{^} Delish Dish (www.bhg.com)
^{^} Delish Dish (www.bhg.com)

Fiesta Bean Salad

Black beans, chick peas, tomatoes, cilantro and avocado are tossed with a cumin-lime vinaigrette – I love the bright, fresh flavors of this quick and easy salad! Perfect for lunch, Meatless Mondays, or even as a side dish with grilled steak, shrimp or chicken.

Something magical happens when you combine cumin, cilantro and lime juice. I can seriously add this to just about anything and be a happy camper.

I confess that I didn’t always like beans in my salads, I think it’s a texture thing because I love beans simmered in soups or with rice, but…

…add some avocados, cilantro, red onion, lime juice, and cumin…. this is yumm-y!! What’s more it’s antioxidant rich, full of heart healthy fats, clean, and high in fiber which keeps you full and satisfied.

This serves four as a main dish, if you prefer to have this as a side dish, then it would easily serve 8.

Fiesta Bean Salad
gordon-ramsay-recipe.com
Servings: 4 • Size: little over 1 cup • Old Points: 7 • Weight Watcher Points+: 7 pt
Calories: 335 • Fat: 11.5 g • Carb: 47 g • Fiber: 15.5 g • Protein: 14 g • Sugar: 0.4 g
Sodium: 481.6 mg • Cholest: 0 mg

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp extra virgin olive
1 tsp cumin
pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup minced red onion, finely diced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 medium avocado, diced

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the garlic, lime juice, oil, cumin, crushed red pepper, and salt.

Add the black beans, chickpeas, tomato, onion and cilantro; mix well. When ready to eat, gently mix in avocado and serve right away.

Makes 4 1/3 cups.