Tag: side dish

Crispy Plantains Over Black Beans, Mango and Red Onion

Crispy Plantains ff

I have shared quite a few plantain recipes here on Fresh and Fit. From veggie burgers to tacos, plantains are a very versatile fruit that can be combined with sweet, savory or salty flavors. Todays recipe is a straight forward side dish that is comforting and hearty enough for fall, but with the tropical flavors of mango, lime and of course, plantains. The crispy outside with a soft inside make this recipe perfect for meatless mondays and hearty enough to stand on its own as a vegan entree. It would also pair nicely with steak, chicken and fish entrees.

Crispy Plantains Over Black Beans, Mango and Red Onion

Crispy Plantains Over Black Beans, Mango and Red Onion

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe plantain, sliced into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 mango, diced
  • 1/4 c red onion, minced
  • 1 can black beans, drained
  • 1 handful cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • Sea salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Toss plantain slices in cumin and chili powder.
  2. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet. Place plantain slices in skillet and cook 4-5 minutes each side. Season with sea salt.
  3. On a serving plate, spread out black beans, top with plantain slices, diced mango, chopped cilantro and squeezed lime.
http://freshandfit.org/crispy-plantains-over-black-beans-mango-and-red-onion/

Roasted Poblano Corn Salad

Roasted poblano corn salad freshandfit.org

As we transition into fall, I thought it was fitting to have a side dish that can be enjoyed both warm or chilled. Roasted poblano peppers add a smokey flavor to this corn salad. Mix with a little grass-fed butter and fresh lime and this simple dish is a comforting and quick recipe to accompany entrees during the week.

Roasted Poblano Corn Salad

Roasted Poblano Corn Salad

Ingredients

  • 2 c corn kernels, organic
  • 1 poblano pepper
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 3 tbsp butter, grass-fed
  • 1 handful of cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven or grill to 450. Cook Poblano pepper until charred turning occasionally. Place pepper in a zip lock bag or bowl with a lid. Allow to steam and cool.
  2. Peel off skin and remove seeds from poblano pepper. Finely chop.
  3. Microwave corn kernels 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add corn and poblano pepper to a large bowl.
  5. Melt butter in microwave 30 seconds. Pour over corn. Add juice of lime and mix well.
  6. Sauté minced garlic until golden brown. Add to corn mixture.
  7. Add cilantro and stir well. Serve warm or chilled.
http://freshandfit.org/roasted-poblano-corn-salad/

Grilled Hasselback Zucchini

Hasselback Zucchini

This season I want to give you plenty of grilling recipes. That means side dishes too. Try to think of your grill as your outdoor oven. Practically anything your oven can do, your grill can do too. With a little practice and the right tools, you can create beautiful tasty dishes on your outdoor grill. Plus, you get to spend time outside and the grill adds more depth of flavor. Today I am sharing Hasselback Zucchini. It looks so pretty and everyone will comment on how fancy it is. The presentation of this dish and the great taste make it a stand out of a side dish. The flavors are Italian with a ricotta and herb sauce to finish the dish.

Grilled Hasselback Zucchini

Grilled Hasselback Zucchini

Ingredients

  • 3 zucchini, sliced into thin circles
  • 1/3 c ricotta cheese
  • 1/3c + 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic
  • 4 sage leaves,divided and finely chopped
  • 4 medium basil leaves, divided and finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste.
  • Well seasoned cast iron pan

Instructions

  1. Heat grill to 400. Slice zucchini into semi thin circles with mandolin or knife.
  2. Toss zucchini in olive oil.
  3. Line zucchini in cast iron pan, standing up.
  4. Place on grill for 20 minutes.
  5. Once zucchini has cook 20 minutes, carefully sprinkle with reserved 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese. Grill 10 minutes longer.
  6. Meanwhile, Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and divided herbs reserving the rest for garnish. Cook 2 minutes.
  7. Add Parmesan and 1/3 c ricotta, stir to incorporate. Heat for 3 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Using an oven mitt, remove zucchini from grill. Pour sauce over zucchini. Garnish with herbs.
http://freshandfit.org/grilled-hasselback-zucchini/

Sweet N’ Tangy Carrot Slaw

Sweet N Tangy Carrot Slaw

Today’s recipe is for sweet n’ tangy carrot slaw. The classic carrot salad calls for much more mayonnaise so I substituted, you guessed it, yogurt! Now, I am a fan of fat and recommend eating the highest quality fats in your diet (grass-fed, organic). But, for a side dish I like to keep the fat down whenever possible so you can have an abundance of whatever else you might be pairing it with. I also don’t think the yogurt makes the recipe less flavorful, so why not shed a few grams of fat and have an extra helping? Sounds like a win win to me!

4 c grated carrots
1/4 c toasted almonds, chopped
1 apple chopped
1/3 c raisins
1/4 c coconut, shredded unsweetened
1 tbsp organic mayonnaise
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
2/3 c plain yogurt

Combine carrot, apple, raisins, coconut in a medium sized bowl.

Stir in yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, and honey.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.