You are here: Home / Archives for Side Dish

Cornbread Salad

You know how you have those pivotal moments in life? Moments that you remember with astonishing clarity? In my life, I have a few of those moments. One of them was all about Cornbread Salad. I remember where I was, the table, my plate… I remember it all. That Cornbread Salad changed my life. From hence forth, I was a Cornbread Salad connoisseur.

[Read more…]

How To: Spaghetti Squash

We LOVE spaghetti squash and I actually prefer it in place of noodles – hence my love of Spaghetti Squash Casserole. The texture is different, but it’s very pleasing to the palate…yeah, country Stacy just said that. It felt weird too.  I’ve even been able to serve it to people and they didn’t know they weren’t eating REAL noodles. Cooking spaghetti squash is easy…so let’s talk about how it’s done.

[Read more…]

Crock Pot Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

I decided that this year I was going to stock my basement with squash for the winter. So I did. And I’ve been working my way through using them already…and I’ve determined this: they won’t last long. Why? Because I stinkin’ love squash, that’s why. I’m barreling through these babies like a crazy woman. No squash left behind! No squash left unturned! No squash for you! [Read more…]

Spaghetti Squash Deluxe

 

Spaghetti Squash Deluxe

I got this cookbook when I was a junior in high school. I bought it from my Home-Ec teacher, Mrs. Cole. It’s full of yummy goodness – but most of it is also full of processed ingredients. However, I’ve become quite good at switching out those processed things for homemade things…and now that I’ve said that, my next dish will probably taste like dog food. [Read more…]

Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash

So, I’m pretty much obsessed with spaghetti squash. It’s fun to fix and it’s fun to eat. My obsession started about two years ago when I made Spaghetti Squash Casserole for the first time – it’s just been a downward spiral since then. It could be worse. It could be a downward spiral with chocolate and peanut butter. Oh – wait a minute. I have that too.

I’ve already showed you guys via video how I normally prepare a spaghetti squash. But, being the crock pot lover that I am, I thought I would be a genius and try it in there – turns out, it’s already been done. Y’all even told me that in the spaghetti squash post. I believe the Bible says, “there is nothing new under the sun…” and dude, the Bible is always right. [Read more…]

75 Real Food Side Dishes

Sometimes it can be hard to come up with good side dishes when you decide to eat more “real” food. All those quick and easy side dishes of your past are nixed. No more Kraft Mac-and-Cheese, no more Pork ‘n Beans, no more Hungry Man instant potatoes. The truth is, real food sides can be so easy…and very quick. Roast any veggie – steam and add butter or chop up a quick salad.

My problem is that sometimes I just get in a rut…broccoli, again? *Sigh* So, I set out to find some real food side dishes. The recipes abound! However, I thought it would be nice if they were all in one spot so they would be easier to find when I was in a hurry…because, while I love meal planning, I don’t always plan side dishes. I just write “side dish.” Creative, huh? [Read more…]

Homemade Seasoned Salt

I remember when I first became aware of MSG…I was engaged to Barry. Yes, I realize I must have lived in a dream world before that. When I was younger, MSG was a joke you made about Chinese food…MSG and dogs. Ha, ha! Okay, don’t get offended, I was only joking.

I really started thinking about it because Barry’s grandmother couldn’t eat anything with MSG in it or she got sick…every time. Sorta made me start to wonder about it – should food need a flavor enhancer like that? Or shouldn’t it just TASTE GOOD to begin with? Me thinks yes. Food should taste good on its own…with salt. Food needs salt. I’m the salt queen.

[Read more…]

Cracker Salad

When I was younger, I didn’t like salad. There were lots of things I didn’t like: sour cream, salmon, tilapia, avocado, cream cheese….looking back, I’m not sure what was going on with me then.

Growing up changes your tastes – at least I’m hoping that for some of my family members. *Cough* Anyway, these days I embrace salad. And if you follow me on Instagram you’ll see that I post pictures of my salads often. I’m always looking for a good one – my favorite being Cornbread Salad, but this comes a very close second. I’ll try to do better at posting salad recipes. [Read more…]

Easy Crock Pot Vegetables

This isn’t one of those crock pot recipes that you use because you need to leave the house for the day and want dinner ready when you get home. This is one of those “it’s too hot to turn on the oven today but I still want yummy vegetables with my steak” kind of recipes.

Sometimes the crock pot isn’t for long cooking – sometimes it’s for keeping the house cool. Sometimes it’s for making more room on the stove if you’re cooking for a crowd and need that space. Sometimes it’s because your oven is broken. Sometimes it’s because you’re obsessed with your crock pot. [Read more…]