Category Archives: Side Dishes

Beet Salad

Prep time …. 5 MINUTES

Serves 4 as a side dish

This is such an insanely pretty colored dish. I always serve it either with meatballs or steak for some reason. I think it just goes really well with meat I guess.

I always try to save some for lunch the next day but I rarely succeed. You’ll see for yourself.

The great thing is that you use the vacuum packed beets, so it takes 5 minutes to make, how great is that? Ok, here we go….set the timer.

Ingredients;

1 lb. pack vacuum packed cooked beets
1/4 C. greek yoghurt
1 tbsp honey
salt and pepper
1 tbsp. chopped parsley
1 tbsp. chopped dill
4 spring onions, sliced into fine rings (reserve some for decorating)
2 tbsp pickle juice

Method;

Open and drain the beets. Cut in slices or chunks. Put in a bowl.

Add the remaining ingredients. Toss. Sprinkle over the remaining spring onions. Serve.

Enjoy

Myra Xo

Green Beans with Chorizo & Thyme

7 Replies

Serves 4 as a side dish

This is a wonderful side dish, crispy green beans blanched and then sauteed with crispy smokey Chorizo.

Chorizo is a Spanish Pork Sausage with lots of smoked Paprika in it. There are various types of Chorizo. The large whole Chorizo that is sliced and eaten as is, or the smaller variety that needs to be cooked. For this dish I have used the precooked type, that is sold sliced or cubed. The fresh Chorizo would crumble in to bits and I like to see the bits of chorizo in the dish in this case.

You could even eat this as a main dish with plenty of Oven Potato Chips.

Ingredients:

1 lb. green beans, washed and tips removed

4 oz. cubed Chorizo

5 sprigs of Thyme

1 tsp. smoked paprika powder

1 tsp olive oil

1 C. Chicken Stock

Method:

In a large frying pan over medium heat add the olive oil and cook the Chorizo until it’s slightly crispy, add the green beans and the paprika powder.

Sauteé a few times.

Meanwhile remove the Thyme leafs from the twigs, you should end up with about 1 tablespoon of fresh leafs. Add to the frying pan along with the stock. Simmer half covered with a lid for 5 minutes, remove the lid and cook for another 5 minutes until most of the stock has evaporated and the beans are tender but still with bite.

Enjoy

Myra Xo

Serve straight away. I serve this with Pollo al Ajillo, Chicken in Garlic Sauce .

Super quick pan roast Jacket Potatoes.

4 Replies

This is so quick and easy I almost feel embarrassed to post it. Let’s just say it’s more of a “note to self”, for future reference. I was in a big hurry to get things on the table that evening and these turned out so good that I just had to write it down. Try them, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Ingredients;

1 lb. medium side new Potatoes

Himalayan Salt

2 tbsp. Olive oil

Method;

Scrub the potatoes really well and dry them with kitchen paper.

Pierce them two to three times on each side and place them on kitchen paper in the microwave.

Microwave on high for three to four minutes. Turn them over and microwave for another three minutes or so. It really depends on the size of the potatoes so you will have to test them as you go. They should still be a bit firm, but you should be able to pierce them with a wooden skewer without a problem.

As soon as you can handle the heat, cut them in half lengthwise. Season with salt all over.

Heat a frying pan, add the oil and when hot add the potatoes cut side down. Fry for about 8 to 10 minutes until they are beautifully golden and crusty.

However the best flavour is obtained when you fry them in the same pan as the meat your are cooking so the potatoes get all the juicy flavor from the meat.

Serve straight away with a burger or anything else. Maybe a Black Bean Burger ?

Note: You can even serve these on their own as a snack with a dip or Aïoli.

Deluxe Beef burger filled with Onions and Crispy Bacon, topped with Gouda

Beet Root Risotto

3 Replies

Serves 4

If you’re in the mood for some sensational color on your plate, I think Beet root Risotto is the way to go. For me, it just doesn’t get prettier than this.

This one is not as heavy as some Risottos since there is no cheese or butter in the rice but just on top.

The Beet gives the Risotto a certain earthy sweetness that I have balanced with Gorgonzola.

When the Gorgonzola melts it emulsifies with the rice creating a sweet and salty creaminess. I haven’t added any extra butter, because the fat in the cheese is enough for me, but you can add some at the end if you like.

*Vegan option below.

Ingredients:

1 Large Beet, peeled and grated (use gloves)

1 1/2 C. Arborio rice

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 small red onion, peeled and diced fine

1 garlic clove, peeled and grated

1 tsp. Himalayan salt

1/2 C. dry white wine

4 C. organic Chicken or Vegetable stock

1 tsp. Fresh Thyme leafs, removed from stalks

2 Sage leafs, crumbled up (if dried) or very thinly sliced, Chiffonade.

7 oz. Gorgonzola to put on top.

*For Vegan version substitute for some Soy Yoghurt and chopped Pistachios.

Method:

Heat 1 tbsp. of olive oil in a large pot. Glaze the onion for five minutes before adding the garlic. Now add the rice and salt, stir for a minute or so. Add the herbs and the white wine. Stir constantly throughout the entire procedure. It will take approximately 20 – 25 minutes. But the stirring is was creates the creaminess of the Risotto.

Now add one cup of the beetroot. Reserve the remainder for decoration.

Keep on stirring. Adding half a cup of stock as you go. Let all the liquid evaporate each time before adding more stock.

When the rice is al dente. Turn off the heat, add a bit more stock to keep it moist. Serve straight away, with a heaped spoonful of raw beet and Gorgonzola. Or Pistachios and some Soy Yoghurt for Vegans.

NOTE: If you don’t like Blue cheese you can substitute it with a good Parmigiano.