Category: Side Dishes & Salads

Cherry Tomato Salad

This cherry tomato salad is crazy good. Tomato season is our favorite time of the year, and this dish definitely satisfied our quest for tomato yumminess. The combination of balsamic vinegar and pesto sauce really makes for a wonderful dressing and marinade. The red onions add a nice bite. The original recipe calls for half an onion, but I would add more. The onions were so great that I’ll definitely use the entire onion the next time I make this salad.

Cherry Tomato Salad

It Doesn’t Have To Be Cherry Tomatoes…

This salad can also be made with whole tomatoes (heirloom would be amazing!) cut into wedges. Of course, it wouldn’t be a cherry tomato salad then but it’d still be great! This salad screams fresh and packs tremendous flavor in every bite.

Pompeian Gourmet Balsamic Vinegar, Perfect for Salad Dressings, Sauces, Seafood & Meat Dishes, Naturally Gluten Free, 16 FL. OZ.
Pompeian Gourmet Balsamic Vinegar, Perfect for Salad Dressings, Sauces, Seafood & Meat Dishes, Naturally Gluten Free, 16 FL. OZ.

If you’re looking for a tomato salad more suitable for kids, try my hot dog tomato salad. It was a childhood favorite of mine.

Cherry Tomato Salad
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5 from 1 vote

Cherry Tomato Salad

This cherry tomato salad is crazy good. Tomato season is our favorite time of the year, and this dish definitely satisfied our quest for tomato yumminess. The combination of balsamic vinegar and pesto sauce really makes for a wonderful dressing and marinade.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword salad, tomato
Prep Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 5 servings
Calories 86kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Ree Drummond

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 pints grape tomatoes halved if desired (I used a mix of yellow, purple and red tomatoes)
  • ½ red onion sliced thin (I wouldn’t hesitate to use the entire onion)
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons parsley fresh, minced
  • 1 tablespoon pesto
  • ¼ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • kosher salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 head iceberg lettuce cut into chunks or shredded (optional)

Instructions

  • Place the tomatoes and onions in a large resealable container.
  • Whisk together the oil, vinegar, parsley, pesto, sugar and garlic.
  • Add to the tomato mixture and stir.
  • Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.
  • Serve over lettuce, if using, or just serve in bowls.

Notes

You can also use sliced or chopped Roma tomatoes.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 646mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2407IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Broccoli in Hoisin Sauce

Summer is such a great time for a stir-fry. Fresh in-season vegetables scream ‘stir-fry me’ out at you as you walk through the farmer’s market or grocery store. In fact, a few heads of broccoli where screaming at me the other day, so I took them home and made a quick stir fry with broccoli in Hoisin sauce. And boy am I glad that I did!

Broccoli in Hoisin Sauce

Broccoli Needs Help And Here It Is

Hoison sauce adds a nice sweet and salty flavor to any veggies. Don’t be afraid to also add a few pinches of dried red pepper flake or fresh sliced chile peppers.
I love stir-frying broccoli in Hoisin sauce. And I really love it even more when cooked outside. I fire up my charcoal grill which has a fantastic, large wok insert. The wok gets incredibly hot over the coals, much hotter than I could ever get it on my flattop electric stove. It’s perfect for stir-frying anything, and quickly. If you have a 22″ Weber charcoal grill I can’t recommend the wok enough.

Of course, you can make this just as easily indoors, using a wok.

Kenmore Hammond Flat Bottom Carbon Steel Wok, 14-Inch, Black
Kenmore Hammond Flat Bottom Carbon Steel Wok, 14-Inch, Black

Also check out one of my other favorite grilled side dishes, Asian grilled vegetables. Stir-fried broccoli is also fantastic with my Mongolian Grill stir-fry sauce.

Broccoli in Hoisin Sauce
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5 from 1 vote

Broccoli in Hoisin Sauce

Hoison sauce adds a nice sweet and salty flavor to any veggies. Don’t be afraid to also add a few pinches of dried red pepper flake or fresh sliced chile peppers.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword Asian, broccoli
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 34kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat up a wok over high heat.
  • Stir-fry the broccoli with the garlic and oil for 3 minutes.
  • Combine the ginger, water, Hoisin and salt and stir in the broccoli.
  • Stir-fry until the sauce thickens.

Notes

Add a few pinches of red pepper flake for a nice spicy kick.

Nutrition

Calories: 34kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 425IU | Vitamin C: 61mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Delta Slaw

This Delta slaw is by far my favorite go-to slaw. Although I sometimes eat it as a side, it most often finds it’s way onto pulled pork or Sloppy Joe sandwiches, or on hot dogs. Despite being a vinegar-based slaw it has a nice sweetness to it. It also contains celery seed (and a good bit of it too), which is also one of my favorite flavors. I love everything about this slaw.

Delta Slaw

Don’t Add The Dressing Until Later

Depending on how I’m serving my Delta slaw (as in, how quickly I’m going to devour it), I often keep the slaw ingredients separate from the dressing until just before serving. That was the slaw doesn’t get too soggy, which will happen after three or more days in the fridge. Keeping the parts separate means I can easily get a full work week’s worth of slaw out of a batch!

Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar With the Mother– USDA Certified Organic – Raw, Unfiltered All Natural Ingredients, 16 ounce, 2 Pack
Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar With the Mother– USDA Certified Organic – Raw, Unfiltered All Natural Ingredients, 16 ounce, 2 Pack

Also try my BBQ shack slaw.

Delta Slaw
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5 from 1 vote

Delta Slaw

This Delta slaw is by far my favorite go-to slaw. Although I sometimes eat it as a side, it most often finds its way onto pulled pork or Sloppy Joe sandwiches, or on hot dogs.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword cole slaw, coleslaw, slaw
Prep Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 236kcal
Author Inspired by Emeril Lagasse

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the slaw mix, bell pepper and onion in a large resealable container.
  • Toss with the salt and pepper.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, combine the vinegar, sugar, mustard powder, and celery seeds in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Stir until the sugar is dissolved and remove from the heat and let cool until the cabbage mixture has been in the fridge for 1 hour.
  • Remove cabbage from fridge and pour sauce over it.
  • Add the oil, green onions, and parsley and toss to combine.
  • Cover and return to refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving.

Notes

Stir again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 582IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Buffalo Cowboy Caviar

My wife can attest to my (somewhat) shocking addiction to all things Buffalo wings. So, she wasn’t surprised when I served up this Buffalo Cowboy caviar. What was surprising, though, was just how much we both absolutely loved it. Beans, peas, tomatoes, cilantro, green onions, all good things. But the crunch of the corn and the smoothness of the avocado, along with spicy Buffalo wing sauce pushed this side up a few notches on the ‘love it’ scale.

Buffalo Cowboy Caviar

Surprisingly Good

For a twist, use corn-on-the-cob that has been roasted on a grill or under the broiler until lightly charred. Cut the kernels from the ears (or better, use a corn peeler!) and add to the caviar. You’ll need 3-4 good sized ears to make Buffalo Cowboy caviar.

Frank's RedHot Hot Buffalo Wings Hot Sauce, 12 fl oz
Frank’s RedHot Hot Buffalo Wings Hot Sauce, 12 fl oz

Also try my Cowboy caviar and my Georgia caviar recipes.

Buffalo Cowboy Caviar
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4 from 1 vote

Buffalo Cowboy Caviar

Beans, peas, tomatoes, cilantro, green onions, all good things. But the crunch of the corn and the smoothness of the avocado, along with spicy Buffalo wing sauce pushed this side up a few notches on the ‘love it’ scale.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword Buffalo, salad, vegetable
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 294kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from A Spicy Perspective

Equipment

Ingredients

For the salad

  • 15 ounces black beans rinsed, drained
  • 15 ounces blackeye peas rinsed, drained
  • 11 ounces corn drained
  • 4 Roma tomatoes seeded, diced
  • 2 large avocados diced
  • 1 small red onion diced
  • 1 orange bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup green onions diced
  • ¼ cup cilantro chopped
  • 2 jalapenos seeded, diced

For the marinade

Instructions

  • Place all of the salad ingredients into a large bowl.
  • Whisk together the marinade ingredients and add to the salad. Toss to coat.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Notes

The sauce is the boss here. You can substitute whatever other beans, vegetables, etc you like!

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 849mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1128IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Corn Mashed Potatoes

I love mashed potatoes, any way, any time. Grilled on cedar planks, made with roasted garlic, packed with Boursin cheese, it doesn’t matter how they’re made, I’ll eat them. Adding sweet corn takes potatoes to a new special happy place. That great sweet corn pop with the creaminess of the potatoes makes for the perfect combination. These corn mashed potatoes made for the absolutely best side dish.

Corn Mashed Potatoes

Try Roasted Corn Instead

For a little twist on these corn mashed potatoes, use corn on the cob instead. You’ll need 3-4 cobs depending on the size. Roast the corn first on a grill or under the broiler. Once charred, remove the cobs from the oven and let cool. Then scrape off the kernels and use them in the potatoes.

I use a knife or a peeler to get the kernels off my fresh corn. It makes my life easier when I have a bunch of corn to do!

2PCS Corn Planer Cutter Thresher Peeler, Corn Thresher Cob Stripper Tool,Premium Stainless Steel Corn Thresher Cob Remover tool with Ergonomic Handle
2PCS Corn Planer Cutter Thresher Peeler, Corn Thresher Cob Stripper Tool,Premium Stainless Steel Corn Thresher Cob Remover tool with Ergonomic Handle

Mashed potatoes are also great made in a crockpot. Try some slow-cooker Tennessee-style mashed potatoes.

Corn Mashed Potatoes
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5 from 1 vote

Corn Mashed Potatoes

Adding sweet corn takes mashed potatoes to a new special happy place. That great sweet corn pop with the creaminess of the potatoes makes for the perfect combination. These corn mashed potatoes made for the absolutely best side dish.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword corn, mashed potatoes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 475kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Marcela Valladolid

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add the potatoes. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 20 or so minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
  • Drain and then mash the potatoes using a potato masher.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the onions and saute for 5 minutes.
  • Add the corn and saute for 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Reduce heat to low and stir in the corn.
  • Add the corn mixture to the potatoes and stir.
  • Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Notes

Also great with just a little shredded cheddar on top!

Nutrition

Calories: 475kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 134mg | Potassium: 622mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1368IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Macaroni and Cheese Pasta Salad

Maybe, like you, I at first made a face when I came across the idea for macaroni and cheese pasta salad. But then, I thought, hey, I love mac-and-cheese. I love pasta salad. What I thought could be a crazy idea might well be brilliant. And it was. Traditional pasta salad flavors with a bit of cheddar cheese. I often cube cheddar cheese into my pasta salads, so the idea of using boxed mac and cheese really isn’t that much of a stretch. And it’s sure easier.

Macaroni and Cheese Pasta Salad

The Perfect Pasta Salad?

You can easily double this recipe for a family get-together. And I honestly wouldn’t be afraid to add a minced jalapeno or two to this macaroni and cheese pasta salad for a little kick. I also like to substitute chipotle powder or smoked paprika for the black pepper for a little smokiness.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

If you want to make mac-and-cheese, but not out of the box, try my 20-minute version. Love pimento cheese? It’s great in pasta salad too!

Macaroni and Cheese Pasta Salad
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5 from 2 votes

Macaroni and Cheese Pasta Salad

Maybe, like you, I at first made a face when I came across the idea for macaroni and cheese pasta salad. But then, I thought, hey, I love mac-and-cheese. I love pasta salad.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword macaroni and cheese, pasta salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 134kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Plain Chicken

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil.
  • Add the pasta from the macaroni and cheese and cook per package instructions.
  • Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • In a large bowl combine the cheese packages from the mac and cheese and all of the remaining ingredients.
  • Fold in the pasta.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.
  • If the salad gets too thick add a bit more mayonnaise and stir lightly.

Notes

Stir again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 231mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Grilled Corn Grits

“My, oh, my” is about all we could say when we both took a bite of these grilled corn grits. The talking stopped and the enjoyment began. Creamy grits with fire-roasted corn. The corn adds just a hint of smokiness, a little crunchiness, and even more corn flavor to what are already fantastic corn grits. This is definitely a favorite side dish in our house. I used fresh corn-on-the-cob, scraping off the delicious kernels to make this delicious treat!

Grilled Corn Grits

That Great Roasted Flavor

You can roast the corn in the oven, under the broiler, if you’d like. You won’t get that nice grilled smoky flavor, but the roasted corn will still add a lot of flavor to the grits. I grilled my corn on a charcoal grill, directly over the hot coals. It didn’t take long and it was well worth the effort.

Use Canned Corn In A Pinch

If it’s not quite corn season where you are, you can use canned corn or frozen (thawed). Just drain the corn and spread it out on a baking sheet. Place under your broiler and broil until lightly charred, keeping an eye on it as it broils. For a smoky kick to your grits, try smoking the raw grits first.

2PCS Corn Planer Cutter Thresher Peeler, Corn Thresher Cob Stripper Tool,Premium Stainless Steel Corn Thresher Cob Remover tool with Ergonomic Handle
2PCS Corn Planer Cutter Thresher Peeler, Corn Thresher Cob Stripper Tool,Premium Stainless Steel Corn Thresher Cob Remover tool with Ergonomic Handle

Also try my pimento cheese grits.

Grilled Corn Grits
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5 from 1 vote

Grilled Corn Grits

“My, oh, my” is about all we could say when we both took a bite of these grilled corn grits. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled, grits
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 195kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Deep South Dish

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for direct cooking.
  • Place the corn directly over the fire.
  • Cook, rotating the ears frequently, until all sides are lightly charred.
  • Remove from the grill and let cool slightly before cutting the kernels from the ears.
  • Add the chicken stock and 3 tablespoons of butter to a medium sauce pan.
  • Bring to a boil and stir in the milk, salt and pepper.
  • Continue boiling while whisking in the grits.
  • Add the corn. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring continuously, until the grits are creamy. You may have to add more stock or half and half if they get too thick.
  • Serve topped with the remaining butter and garnished with the sliced green onion.

Notes

Add a little diced jalapeno for a nice kick.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 406IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Weber 6493 21-Inch 3-Sided Grill Brush
Weber 6493 21-Inch 3-Sided Grill Brush

Pickled Black-Eyed Peas

I need a t-shirt that says “Don’t get between me and my pickled black-eyed peas”. I found them to be so dangerously good that I didn’t want to share with anyone. Ever. The peas absorb the vinegar, getting a really nice tart kick to them. For a little heat, jalapenos (they do get tamed down a bit the longer they pickle). Crispy red onions and a little garlic round out what is a perfect side dish.

Pickled Black-Eyed Peas

Cold Peas Are Perfect

These pickled black-eyed peas remind me of the Georgia caviar I made a while back. Black-eyed peas are wonderful in a cold salad and even better when pickled. Don’t let the jalapenos worry you if you aren’t into spicy foods. You can of course leave them out but I found that they do not overpower the salad at all. You don’t have to eat them, but leave them in to add flavor.

Pompeian Gourmet Red Wine Vinegar, Perfect for Salad Dressings, Marinades & Sauces, Naturally Gluten Free, 30 Ounce
Pompeian Gourmet Red Wine Vinegar, Perfect for Salad Dressings, Marinades & Sauces, Naturally Gluten Free, 30 Ounce
Pompeian Gourmet White Wine Vinegar, Bright & Fresh Flavor, Perfect for Salad Dressings, Shellfish & Sauces, 30 FL. OZ.
Pompeian Gourmet White Wine Vinegar, Bright & Fresh Flavor, Perfect for Salad Dressings, Shellfish & Sauces, 30 FL. OZ.

If you prefer your black-eyed peas cooked, try my slow cooker recipe.

Pickled Black-Eyed Peas
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5 from 1 vote

Pickled Black-Eyed Peas

I need a t-shirt that says “Don’t get between me and my pickled black-eyed peas”. I found them to be so dangerously good that I didn’t want to share with anyone. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword peas, pickled
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 18kcal
Author Based on a recipe from The Homesick Texan

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the beans, onion, garlic and jalapeno in a large bowl.
  • In a separate bowl whisk together the oil and vinegar.
  • Add the oil mixture to the peas and stir to combine.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Note: If you find the peas to be too dry, now is the time to add a bit more oil.
  • Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

Notes

Stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 278mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 53IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Spiralized Curly Fries

It’s over. Done. My quest for an absolutely perfect spiralized curly fries recipe is over. I have reached the end, and the end is good. Perfectly curly. Perfectly seasoned. And perfectly crunchy. I could’ve just skipped whatever else it was I was having for dinner that night. In fact, I don’t even remember what else I had. I just remember these curly fries.

Spiralized Curly Fries

The Best Curly Fries

I used the smallest blade on my spiral slicer to make these spiralized curly fries. You could use the bigger one, but of course cook times will go up. I think the small blade is the perfect size.

Brieftons 5-Blade Vegetable Spiralizer: Strongest-Heaviest Spiral Slicer, Best Veggie Pasta Spaghetti Maker for Low Carb/Paleo/Gluten-Free/Vegan Meals, With Extra Blade Caddy, 4 Recipe Ebooks
Brieftons 5-Blade Vegetable Spiralizer: Strongest-Heaviest Spiral Slicer, Best Veggie Pasta Spaghetti Maker for Low Carb/Paleo/Gluten-Free/Vegan Meals, With Extra Blade Caddy, 4 Recipe Ebooks

The batter gives the fries their fantastic flavor. I plan on using the same batter on a whole lot of other fried foods. It’s a thin batter, not thick. Perfect for something like fish fillets or even non-curly fries.

If I’m cooking for a crowd, I’ll break out my big deep fryer. But, if it’s just the two of us, I’ll fire up my Fry Daddy fryer. It’s the perfect size for both of us. It fries everything perfectly. And as an added bonus, it doesn’t use a lot of oil, which saves me money.

I get out my big deep fryer when it’s time to fry a large batch of food. It comes to temperature quickly and it maintains that temperature perfectly. It has a built-in oil filter and storage unit so I can re-use the oil several times.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

I also love making a copycat of McDonald’s fries. They aren’t spiraled, but boy, they’re good! But then, Arby’s fries are spiral….

Spiralized Curly Fries
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Spiralized Curly Fries

It’s over. Done. My quest for an absolutely perfect spiralized curly fries recipe is over. I have reached the end, and the end is good. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword fries, spiral
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 4 servings
Calories 204kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Ree Drummond

Equipment

Ingredients

For the potatoes

For the batter

Instructions

For the potatoes

  • Fill a resealable container with cold water.
  • Spiralize the potatoes (I used the smallest blade) and place into the water.
  • Transfer to the refrigerator for 1 hour.

For the batter

  • Place all of the batter ingredients into a large bowl or container and whisk until smooth.
  • Heat 3″ of oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 365 F.
  • Drain the potatoes and pat dry.
  • Place potatoes in the batter and coat well.
  • Working in batches, fry the potatoes until golden brown, turning once.
  • Transfer cooked potatoes to a wire rack or pan lined with paper towels and sprinkle liberally with salt.

Notes

Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 594mg | Potassium: 796mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Cheddar Ranch Grits

As much as I love making and devouring mashed potatoes with pot roast and gravy, I love grits even more. The creamy ground corn has more texture and more flavor. At least, in my opinion. Add some cheese (and a little bit of Ranch dressing mix) and well, these cheddar Ranch grits are the perfect tasting side dish and very, very easy to make.

Cheddar Ranch Grits

Try Other Cheeses, Too

You can substitute any good melting cheese you want to these cheddar Ranch grits. I like a nice sharp cheddar because I think it goes perfectly with the corn flavors and the Ranch dressing. I think Monterey jack would also work well in this dish. For some kick, go with pepperjack and add a few chopped roasted jalapenos. Or chile peppers. You can also add drained copped pimentos.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts

Also try my roasted sweet corn grits. I always keep grits on hand. They’re the perfect side dish for just about any meal.

Cheddar Ranch Grits
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5 from 1 vote

Cheddar Ranch Grits

As much as I love making and devouring mashed potatoes with pot roast and gravy, I love grits even more. The creamy ground corn has more texture and more flavor. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, grits
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 224kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Bring broth and salt to a boil in a medium pan over high heat.
  • Slowly stir in the grits.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring often. To prevent the grits from splattering you can place a lid over the top of the pan but do not cover it completely.
  • Add the butter and stir to melt.
  • Add the cheese and Ranch dressing mix and stir until the cheese is melted.
  • Serve.

Notes

Substitute pepperjack for the cheddar for nicely kicked-up grits!

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 1311mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)