Source: Qwartm, AdobeStockClassic homemade side dishes usually consist of boiled grains, pasta, and potatoes. Tasty, but often boring and repetitive. In reality, the choice of everyday side dishes is virtually limitless if you use a little imagination. In this collection, we've gathered accessible, versatile, and interesting recipes for you!
1. Cauliflower and Broccoli Mash
Source: dzen.ruPotatoes aren't the only vegetable suitable for making delicious mash.
You will need: 300 g cauliflower, 200 g broccoli, 120 ml cream, 15 g butter, salt, spices.
Preparation: Break both types of cabbage into florets and boil them until soft. Drain the water, pour in warm cream, add butter with spices, and blend everything until it reaches a mashed consistency.
2. Couscous with Green Peas and Green Beans
Source: cookpad.comCouscous side dishes are great because they cook very quickly.
You will need: 150 g couscous, 100 g green peas, 100 g green beans, 2-3 sprigs of mint, spices.
Preparation: Prepare couscous according to package instructions. Heat a pan with a little oil, add green peas, green beans, chopped mint, and season. Cook the vegetables for 10-12 minutes, stirring. Then add the couscous, mix, heat everything for another 1 minute, and remove from heat.
3. Stewed Beets
Source: pinterest.comSuch a simple yet original vegetable side dish.
You will need: 600 g beets, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 100 ml water, 2 tbsp tomato paste, spices.
Preparation: Grate beets and carrots on a coarse grater, chop onion and garlic. Sauté onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes, add tomato paste and mix. Add beets and carrots, pour in water, and season to taste. Simmer the dish for about 15 minutes, covered, over low heat.
4. Corn Side Dish
Source: mirtesen.ruIt turns out something like a warm corn salad – very original.
You will need: 4 cups fresh or frozen corn, 1-2 bell peppers, 4 green onion stalks, 15 g butter, 0.5 tsp turmeric, 0.5 tsp mustard seeds, salt, spices.
Preparation: Heat butter in a pan, add finely chopped bell pepper and the white part of the green onion. Fry for 2-3 minutes, stirring, then add corn with spices, cover, and cook everything together for 5-6 minutes. At the end of cooking, stir in finely chopped green onion stalks.
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5. Pea Porridge with Onions and Carrots
Source: cookpad.comA healthy and hearty dish made from split peas.
You will need: 1 cup split peas, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1/2 bunch parsley, 1/2 bunch dill, salt.
Preparation: Soak the peas in advance for several hours. Rinse, cover with water in a ratio of approximately 1:2, and boil until soft, covered, over low heat. Add chopped onion and carrot, and cook for another 15-20 minutes. Mix the porridge, chopped herbs, and salt to taste. If desired, season the side dish with oil.
6. Stewed Zucchini in Sour Cream
Source: za-edoy.ruThis recipe will appeal even to those who are watching their figure.
You will need: 1 kg zucchini, 250 g sour cream, 4 cloves garlic, 5 sprigs dill, spices.
Preparation: Cut zucchini into medium pieces and fry for 7-10 minutes over high heat, stirring. Add chopped garlic, herbs, and sour cream, mix everything together, and stew the zucchini for another 5-7 minutes, covered. Season to taste.
7. Green Pea Puree with Mint
Source: youtube.comAn original side dish made from fresh or frozen green peas.
You will need: 500 g green peas, 1/2 lemon, 1 tsp sugar, 20 g butter, 10 g mint, spices, salt.
Preparation: Heat butter with sugar, pour in 50 ml of water, and bring everything to a boil. Add green peas and stew for a few minutes, stirring. Add chopped mint, salt, spices, and the juice of half a lemon. Blend the puree until smooth.
8. Stewed Eggplant as a Side Dish
Source: postila.ruIf you don't have fresh tomatoes on hand, use tomato paste and a little water.
You will need: 2 eggplants, 1 onion, 3 tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp sour cream, spices, herbs.
Preparation: Lightly fry chopped garlic, add diced eggplants, and fry for another 10-12 minutes, stirring. Add finely chopped onion and tomatoes, mix, and stew the dish for 10-12 minutes, covered, over medium heat. Add sour cream and chopped herbs, season, and cook the side dish for another 2-3 minutes.
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9. Pasta with Vegetables and Cheese
Source: 100foto.clubUse any shaped pasta you have at home.
You will need: 150 g pasta, 1 zucchini, 2 tomatoes, 1 onion, 30 g hard cheese, 15 g butter, 15 ml vegetable oil, spices, herbs.
Preparation: Cook pasta until al dente and finely chop all vegetables. Sauté onion until soft in a mixture of both oils. Add zucchini, season, and fry for another 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and stew everything together for another 10-12 minutes, covered. Mix vegetables, pasta, grated cheese, and chopped herbs. Heat for 2 minutes and remove from heat.
10. Quinoa with Cherry Tomatoes
Source: za-edoy.ruA little chopped basil or cilantro will greatly enhance the finished dish.
You will need: 1 cup quinoa, 200 g cherry tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, spices, aromatic herbs.
Preparation: Cook quinoa according to package instructions. Sauté halved cherry tomatoes with garlic in olive oil, add quinoa, spices, and herbs. Heat everything together for another 5 minutes over low heat.
11. Stewed Pumpkin in Tomato Sauce
Source: AdobeStockPumpkin porridge is far from the only side dish you can make from it.
You will need: 500 g pumpkin, 50 g tomato paste, 200 ml water, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp curry, 1 tsp mustard seeds, salt.
Preparation: Heat a few spoons of oil in a pan and add the spices. Heat for 30-40 seconds, then add pumpkin cut into medium cubes. Fry for 3 minutes, stirring. Mix tomato paste with water, pour it in, and stew the pumpkin for 30-40 minutes over low heat.
12. Stewed Cabbage with Millet
Source: pinterest.comNot only a versatile side dish for meat, but also a standalone Lenten dish.
You will need: 600 g cabbage, 200 g mushrooms, 120 g millet, 100 g onion, 150 g carrots, 100 g tomato paste, spices.
Preparation: Chop and fry mushrooms for 5-7 minutes, add chopped onion and grated carrots, and fry for another 3-4 minutes. Add thinly shredded cabbage, mix, and cook for 7 minutes. Then add rinsed millet, season, add tomato paste, and pour in about 500 ml of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 1 hour, covered, over low heat.
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13. Rice with Corn and Pineapple
Source: cookpad.comA wonderful side dish for a variety of chicken dishes.
You will need: 150 g rice, 120 g bell pepper, 120 g canned corn, 100 g canned pineapple, 50 g carrots, 50 g onion, 2 cloves garlic, 0.5 tsp turmeric, spices.
Preparation: Finely chop vegetables and canned pineapple. Sauté onion with carrots for about 3 minutes, then add bell pepper and pineapple. Cook for another 3 minutes, then add turmeric, spices, and chopped garlic. Add rinsed rice and corn, mix everything thoroughly, and pour in 300-350 ml of boiling water. Bring to a boil and cook the side dish for 20-25 minutes over low heat until the water evaporates.
14. Turkish Bulgur
Source: 1000.menuAs always, a little chopped fresh herbs will be very welcome.
You will need: 1 cup bulgur, 1 bell pepper, 1 onion, 2 tomatoes, 1 cup tomato juice, 1 cup water, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp paprika, spices.
Preparation: Finely chop all vegetables and sauté them together for 4-5 minutes, stirring. Add rinsed bulgur and chopped garlic. Season, pour in water and tomato juice, mix everything together, and bring the dish to a boil. Simmer bulgur for 15-20 minutes, covered, over low heat, then let it rest for a bit.
15. Buckwheat with Vegetables in a Pan
Source: AdobeStockYou can also use any seasonal vegetables.
You will need: 200 g buckwheat, 150 g bell pepper, 300 g zucchini, 200 g tomatoes, 120 g carrots, 150 g onion, 2 cloves garlic, spices, aromatic herbs.
Preparation: Finely chop all vegetables and rinse the buckwheat. Sauté onion until translucent, add the remaining vegetables, and fry for another 7-10 minutes, stirring. Towards the end, season the mixture with spices, herbs, and chopped garlic. Add rinsed buckwheat and pour in a cup of boiling water, bring everything to a boil, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, covered, over low heat.
16. Potato and Turnip Mash
Source: cookerybox.ruWe suggest trying another interesting mashed variation.
You will need: 500 g potatoes, 500 g turnips, 1 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp sour cream, salt, spices.
Preparation: Roughly chop peeled potatoes and turnips. Cover them with water, bring to a boil, and cook until soft. Drain the water and mash the vegetables with butter, sour cream, salt, and spices.
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17. Stewed Cabbage with Apples and Dried Fruits
Source: pinterest.comA good side dish for lamb, beef, or pork.
You will need: 400 g cabbage, 150 g apples, 80 g raisins, 100 g carrots, 50 g prunes, 100 g onion, 1 tbsp tomato paste, spices.
Preparation: Thinly shred cabbage and lightly fry it in a small amount of oil. Pour in 100 ml of water and stew the cabbage for 20-25 minutes, covered, over low heat.
Separately, sauté finely chopped onion and grated carrots until soft, add tomato paste, heat everything together for 1 minute, and transfer the sautéed mixture to the cabbage. Cook for another 5 minutes. Add chopped apples, prunes, and raisins to the same pan. Season and stew the dish, covered, for another 10 minutes.
18. Baked Sweet Potato
Source: karfood.ruQuite simple yet the most delicious sweet potato side dish.
You will need: 500 g sweet potato, 5 g salt, 1 g khmeli suneli, 1 g paprika, olive oil.
Preparation: Peel and cut sweet potato into sticks like potatoes. Mix it with all the spices and drizzle with oil. Spread the sweet potato in a single layer on parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes in the oven at 200 degrees Celsius.
19. Caramelized Turnips
Source: postila.ruA popular French side dish, for which radish or rutabaga would also work.
You will need: 500 g turnips, 30 g butter, 1.5 tsp sugar, 200 ml water.
Preparation: Peel and cut turnips into large wedges. Melt butter in a pan, add turnips, and sauté for 5 minutes, shaking occasionally. Then reduce heat, sprinkle the root vegetables with sugar, and pour in water. Mix and simmer everything for 15-20 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally.
20. Lentils with Rice in Tomato Sauce
Source: mirtesen.ruA popular Greek side dish called fakorizo.
You will need: 150 g lentils, 150 g rice, 1 onion, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2.5 cups water, 1 tsp cumin, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Slice the onion into half-rings and sauté until soft. Separately, add rinsed lentils to a pot, pour in 1 cup of water, and bring to a boil. Add rice, onion, tomato paste, and all spices to the lentils. Add the remaining water, mix, and bring to a boil again. Simmer the dish for 20-25 minutes over low heat.