Tag: Spring side dish


May
2014

Sautéed Broccoli- A Grilled Entrée’s Perfect Side Dish!!

categories: Healthy Living, Recipes, Sides

Nothing beats grilling outside in the warm air! Yay, it’s that time of year again!! I have been grilling for the past few weeks and trying new Spring side dishes!

This sauté is amazing ! The sunflowers add a nutty flavor to the mix!
This sauté is amazing ! The sunflower seeds add a nutty flavor to the mix!

Have you ever tried cooking with sunflower seeds? Like pine nuts, sunflower seeds have incredible health benefits! They are a great source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants!

Here is one of my family’s favorites!

Be careful not to overcook the broccoli! Keep the crunch!
Be careful not to overcook the broccoli! Keep the crunch!

 

Sautéed Broccoli with Sunflower Seeds

Ingredients:
1 lb. broccoli, peeled and chopped
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves pressed
1 small onion chopped
1/4 cup raw, shelled sunflower seeds
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Warm oil over low/medium heat.
Add garlic and stir. Be careful not to burn! No brown!

I think I use garlic in every recipe!!
I think I use garlic in every recipe!!

Add onions and cook until tender.
Add broccoli and sunflower seed.
Mix well to coat all.

Make sure your heat is at a low/medium temperature! You don't want to brown the broccoli just heat through and mix the flavors together.
Make sure your heat is at a low/medium temperature! You don’t want to brown the broccoli just heat through and mix the flavors together.

Add sunflower seeds salt and pepper to taste and mix well again.
Let it cook 10 minutes or until broccoli is hot but crisp!
Serve with your favorite grilled entree! Enjoy!

Ciao!


Apr
2014

Lemon Parmesan Grilled Artichokes!! The Perfect Spring and Summer Side Dish!

categories: Dinner, Healthy Living, Recipes, Sides

Lemon Parmesan Grilled Artichokes

The three A's of Spring! Asparagus, Artichokes and Avocados!!
The three A’s of Spring! Asparagus, Artichokes and Avocados!!

Ingredients:

6 artichokes washed, cut in half up and down.
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Fill a sauce pot with 3 inches of water and place artichokes in the pot to steam on the top rack of your grill.

You can always steam the artichokes on the stove! Just do not overcook- about 15 minutes if you are grilling!
You can always steam the artichokes on the stove! Just do not overcook- about 15 minutes if you are grilling!

Steam for 15-20 minutes until the artichokes soften and a sharp knife easily pierces the stem.

Cut along the axis of symmetry -up and down.

The bit of char mixed with Parmesan, olive oil and lemon is amazing!! And enough! No need for a butter/ Dijon dip!
The bit of char mixed with Parmesan, olive oil and lemon is amazing!! And enough! No need for a butter/ Dijon dip

Brush olive oil on both sides – salt, pepper.
Grill cut side down until grill lines appear and they have a nice char.

My grill gets the 6pm sun! What a beautiful evening!
My grill gets the late afternoon early evening sun! What a beautiful evening!

Serve with drizzled lemon juice.

Bursting with flavor! Serve grilled artichokes as an appetizer on a Friday paired with a refreshing Reisling !
Bursting with flavor! Serve grilled artichokes as an appetizer on a Friday paired with a refreshing Reisling !

Always top with freshly grated Parmesan! Enjoy!

Ciao!