Monday, January 12, 2026

Fancy Sides

 Sides can actually make meals either special or blah. A plain roast chicken or London Broil is just that. Plain. Yet, add some elevated potatoes or fancily made carrots and the meals becomes a celebration. It's a fun way to  combat the winter blues with a tasty and elegant meal.

Carrrots may be bright and good for you but many feel that they're just another root veggie. Carrots are much more than that.They 're full of much needed beta carotene - good for your eyesight and have a sweet mellow flavor.To emphasize that dress them with a simple melted butter and garlic sauce.The butters gives them a creaminess while the garlic cuts back on the sugary flavor. Another elegant dish is honey soy glazed carrots which can be made in only ten minutes   Its a sweet and tangy glaze thanks to a blend of honey and soy sauce. Chili pepper flakes give it zing.Two tablespoons of butter are also added to give the texture smoothness.Another root vegetable that often gets overlooks is the turnip.this humble  root is ;loaded with Vitamin K which promotes good bone health as well as lowering blood pressure and cancer risk. Try the fancy and French tartifliette/It is enriched by pork lardons and creme fraiche. Reblochon cheese ,a kind of creamy Brie like fromage from France's Haute Savoie region is also put in for pure richness.This is a layered dish of butter fired onions larodns, turnips and cheese.This can easily be a main course too, serve with a simple green salad.

What about the ordinary and everyday veggies? String bean almondine work perfectly with either Cornish game hens or salmon.You will need haricort vert if you can find them. They 're a more refined version of green beans , thinner and longer in shape.(although you can use fresh or frozen green beans if you can;t find the other).It's balancing the green beans in boiling water for two minutes Quickly transfer  them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.Toasting the almond in a dry skillet is the next step. The French way would be sauteing them in butter which gives the dish more flavor.Saute cut shallots and the haricot verts in butter or light olive oil. Stir in garlic and lemon juice and serve.Potaotes are another common dish .They're usually served as the everyday mashed or fries. Liven them up by transforming them in creamy scalloped form.These are sliced potatoes that are layered with cream and onions. Some home chefs add thyme for color and herbiness but salt and pepper work just as well as seasoning. This is great with any kind of roast but paors beautifully with ham.

Sides can make a dinner sing. A fancy one will elevate a main course,, creating a special meal.Add any of these for a wonderful full course.