Looking for something a little more exciting than boiled pasta to serve with a chicken entree, Greta Igl found inspiration and just-picked flavor in her herb garden. "I love using fresh herbs whenever...
This recipe is delicious and versatile. I often substitute a tablespoon of minced fresh basil for the dried, and two to three ears of sweet corn (about a cup cut fresh from the cob) for the Mexicorn. -Lucile...
Tender sweet potatoes are tossed with crunchy nuts and chewy dried cherries for a burst of flavors and textures. -Fran Fehling, Staten Island, New York
This is without question my favorite side dish, both for flavor and ease of preparation. Sherry adds an amazing spark to the vegetables. -Cheryl Donnely, Arvada, Colorado
Grilled mushrooms always taste good, but this easy recipe makes them taste even more fantastic. As the mother of two children, I love to cook entire meals on the grill. It's fun spending time outdoors...
Sauteed bits of garlic and shallot, with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds, turn ordinary beans into something special. Keep the recipe in mind for your garden crop in summer. -Deirdre Cox, Kansas City,...
Garlic, basil and oregano add pizzazz to this savory side dish. The pasta is tender and moist, and there's plenty of cheese flavor. I like to serve it alongside steaks or chicken. -Dawn Dhooghe Concord,...
This is a simplified version of a dish my Costa Rican host sister used to make when I was in the Peace Corps. It has become a favorite side dish at my house. -Katie Bartle, Parkville, Missouri
"You don't have to fuss to make a special side dish for tow, as this recipe proves," says Sarah Rodgers of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. "It's so easy to dress up zucchini halves with this flavorful mushroom...
There's a lot more you can do with sushi rice besides making homemade sushi. Use it to create a healthy rice bowl, tuck it into a lettuce wrap topped with grilled meat or use it as a base for your favorite...
After trying a similar version of this coleslaw while visiting the island of St. Kitts, I returned home and wanted to make it myself. I've taken it to so many events, and it's always a hit. -Noreen McCormick...
While I love stuffing, my family wasn't that fond of it-that is, until I found this recipe. I added a few touches of my own and now they gobble it up. Cranberries and pork really make it something special....
This appealing fruit salad is a lovely addition to breakfast, lunch or even supper. Light and refreshing, it's perfect alongside egg bakes, sausages and other hearty staples you find on breakfast buffets....
This potato casserole has the same flavor of the potato skins you can order as a restaurant appetizer. It's an ideal dish for tailgating and potlucks. -Charlane Gathy, Lexington, Kentucky
"With rice and this mix on hand, you can whip up a tasty side dish whenever you need one," says Linnea Rein from Topeka, Kansas. "It goes with any meat and has superb flavor."
This versatile side dish is so good with grilled steak, and is delicious with other meats as well. A creamy cheese sauce and crunchy topping make this potato casserole popular for family dinners and potlucks....
Loaded with carrots, onions and peas, this rice makes a terrific side dish, but it can even stand on its own as a light main course. Raisins offer a slight sweetness, and pecans add a little crunch. --Denith...
Risotto is a creamy Italian rice dish. In this version, the rice is briefly sauteed, then slowly cooked in wine and seasonings. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Although I call these "company carrots," I'll often serve them on a weeknight to my family. No matter who's eating it, the fast, easy dish is always a favorite. -Cynthia Hanus-Beard, Tamarac, Florida
This wonderfully rich potato casserole complements a variety of main courses. I've shared the recipe with so many people, I can almost recite it by heart!
Here's a delightful way to use leftover mashed potatoes! These puffs are easy to make, and my family prefers them to french fries. Children enjoy them plain, buttered or drizzled with honey or maple syrup....
I combined two recipes to create this side with broccoli and pasta. The splash of lemon adds nice flavor. Instead of toasted almonds, you could also sprinkle servings with grated Parmesan cheese. -Beth...
I've had this cheesy corn casserole recipe for years, and my family still asks for it all the time. Our son, who is not a big vegetable eater, says it's one of his favorites.-Joan Hallford, North Richland...
This is a traditional Kentucky recipe. It's a popular side dish served all year long. If you've never tried spoon bread before, I think you'll find it's tasty and comforting.
I discovered this recipe in a four-generation family cookbook. I'm glad I gave it a try. It has become "the" stuffing at our holiday table. -Judi Oudekerk, Buffalo, Minnesota
A friend served this casserole at a dinner party, and I had to ask for the recipe. I've made it for friends and relatives on a number of holidays and other special occasions since. The recipe is perfect...
Colorful gelatin salad adds a spot of brightness to any table. It blends well with this holiday feast. We children didn't know if it should be a salad or dessert, with its smooth texture and delicate flavor.-Fae...
My grandmom's long-cherished chowchow has Pennsylvania Dutch roots. Her pickled relish of cabbage, onions and peppers is tart and sweet with a smidge of spice. -Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida
These simple but tasty potatoes are on the menu at my SideTrack Cafe in Metamora, Indiana. I've collected recipes for years, and this is a favorite.-Nancy Johnson, Connersville, Indiana
Chiles are a must where I live. I find they almost always improve a recipe that uses cheese. Sometimes I make this into a heartier main dish by adding shredded cooked chicken after the chile layer. It...
I adapted this recipe from one a friend gave to me. It has a distinctive blue cheese taste and is very filling. I like to serve it with chicken. -Darlene Marturano, W. Suffield, Connecticut
There's nothing to this recipe-the preparation and cooking times are so quick. I sprinkle in a few dried cranberries, but you can let your imagination take over. Add a handful of raisins or walnuts at...
In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become...
No holiday meal in our home is complete without this dish handed down by my Finnish grandmother. It makes an excellent complement to turkey, beef or ham. -Doris Hubert, East Killingly, Connecticut
One day I wanted to serve zucchini as a side dish-but I didn't have the time to slice and deep-fry it. So I came up with these fritters instead! They go especially well with barbecued ribs or pork chops...
My German grandmother taught me to cook, and she used bacon drippings in almost every recipe, even cookies! I happened upon this concoction one summer Sunday afternoon when our neighbors gave us a bumper...
I shared this recipe with a friend a while back. Now we kid about who will make it when we're attending the same event! No matter who brings the salad, it's always a hit at get-togethers. -Doreen Storz...
Five ingredients are all you'll need for my popular creamed corn recipe. It's wonderful no matter what the occasion is. Try it on a barbecue buffet or holiday menu. -Barbara Brizendine, Harrisonville,...
There's lots of garlic flavor in this filling side dish. I like it with grilled chicken but it works wonderfully with nearly any menu.-Brenda Nolen, Folsom, Louisiana
To avoid turning my oven on in the summer, I grill just about everything-including this creamy potato salad. My friends have dubbed this 'The Best Potato Salad You'll Ever Put in Your Mouth!"-and I love...
In Chimacum, Washington, Joy Rackham uses this fiery blend to add spark to baked sweet potato wedges. Or try the spicy mixture on pork, chicken or beef for a boost of zippy flavor.
For Friday dinners, my mother made coleslaw to go with our fish. It's still a family tradition, and the tangy dressing even works on a tossed salad. -Cynthia McDowell, Banning, California
When I was a child, I loved eating at my grandma's house, especially when she baked this comforting apple dish. As a busy mother of seven, I'm often short on time, so I use the microwave to fix it quickly....