Mild-flavored yellow squash gets a big boost from flavor-packed chiles, jalapenos and red onion. This side dish also works with zucchini. -Tommy Lombardo, Euclid, Ohio
My family's favorite Mexican restaurant serves a similar rice as a side dish. I threw this together one night when I was making fajitas, and everyone loved it! It's such an easy side dish and pairs well...
Here's a flavorful way to dress up carrots without a lot of fuss. Simply steam the good-for-you veggies, then season with butter, brown sugar, vinegar and a sprinkling of chives. The carrots are not only...
"Living in the Midwest, we anticipate spring treats like fresh asparagus all winter long," affirms Mickey Kelly, Burnsville, Minnesota. "Our three small children can't help but snitch a taste when this...
"A friend created this mild and light dressing that's a snap to whip up with on-hand ingredients," says Joan Rose of Langley, British Columbia. "Whenever I serve it, someone asks for the recipe."
Edna Hoffman from Hebron, Indiana suggests a deliciously different way to dress up carrots on a wintry night. A dash of horseradish adds just the right amount of heat!
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...
For a simple side dish that seems nice enough for company, Margaret Wilson of Hemet, California perks up fresh green beans with minced garlic and toasted walnuts.
A friend gave me the recipe for this delicious dish, which uses a packaged stuffing mix. A salad and bread of your choice is all you'll need for a filling lunch or dinner. It's so versatile, you can even...
For a change of pace, I like to serve these stuffed cucumbers in place of a lettuce salad. They're really refreshing, and a touch of French dressing makes them a colorful addition to any meal. -Mrs. Howard...
After sampling these savory beans at our local John Deere dealer's open house, I asked for the recipe. To my surprise, they had started with canned beans and easily given them a wonderful homemade taste....
I marinate mushrooms and artichokes in fresh tarragon, thyme and seasonings so they turn out tart, tangy and irresistible. -Marcia Doyle, Pompano, Florida
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....
I had a green bean salad at a local deli and enjoyed it so much, I tried to re-create it at home. The result was yummy! It lasts for several days in the fridge, and the taste keeps getting better. -Allison...
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
I love sweet potatoes and scalloped potatoes, so I decided why not make scalloped sweet potatoes This is a great recipe to change up your holiday table.-Yvonne Starlin, Hermitage, Tennessee
The outstanding barbecue taste of these beans makes them a favorite for cookouts all summer and into the fall. It's a popular dish, even with kids. The beef makes it so much better than plain pork and...
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,...
One taste of this classic comforting dish and you'll never buy a store-bought box of au gratin potatoes again! The thinly sliced "spuds" cook up tender in no time. Your family will request this many times...
Get a load of this: sour cream, bacon, shredded cheddar, green onions and more come together to give you all the richness of restaurant potato skins at your next picnic. -Monique Boulanger, Greenwood,...
Connie Staal doesn't have to ring the dinner bell twice when these Western-style beans are on the menu. Using lean ground beef makes the entree lighter on calories, but not on taste. "Since I began fixing...
As retired farmers, my husband and I enjoy delicious, down-home foods. These onions and beets have just the right amount of sweetness, so they complement a variety of main dishes.-Violet Klause, Onoway,...
If you have picky eaters who worry about texture, roasted okra is marvelous. It's OK to crowd the pan. Okra shrinks as it cooks. -Anna Katsoulis, Greenville, North Carolina
Out of all my corn recipes, this is my favorite. You need just a few ingredients and a slow cooker to make this delicious side dish. Because it cooks on its own, you'll have extra time to prepare the main...
Can't decide whether to cook vegetables or pasta for a side dish? Try combining them in this medley. It received rave reviews at our volunteer fire department meeting. Now, I make it for other covered-dish...
Tabouleh, also known as tabbouleh, is a classic Middle Eastern salad. The fresh veggies and mint leaves make it light and refreshing on a hot day. -Michael & Mathil Chebat, Lake Ridge, Virginia
I received this recipe for bacon-wrapped potatoes years ago from a friend. It's a delicious new twist to a baked potato. I recently served these potatoes to visiting relatives from Norway, and they were...
When I added garlic to this recipe, I discovered it gave the potatoes a unique flavor. My greatest compliment came from a neighbor who's a retired chef-he said this is the best potato dish he'd ever tasted!-Leah...
Most people don't think of pairing dill and carrots. But my family agrees that dill adds a nice tang to this slightly sweet vegetable. An herb that is easy to grow, dill also looks lovely in the garden.-Verona...
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...
With an abundance of potatoes in our garden each summer, I often make this easy recipe. We love the combination of parsley and spices, and the lemony butter sauce. They make a great accompaniment to grilled...
These crispy, lightly browned rings from Della Stamp of Long Beach, California are a healthy alternative to the deep-fried version. Thyme and paprika enhance the flavor of the tender onions.
Hearty, colorful, easy and fast were the reviews we gave this good-for-you dish. Barley has a healthy amount of soluble fiber, which aids digestion. And it can help to lower cholesterol, too! You can easily...
Petals of savory artichoke leaves are so delicious dipped into a creamy lemon aioli. It may seem intimidating to roast whole artichokes, but the steps couldn't be simpler-and the earthy, comforting flavor...
I love to experiment with different grains and wanted to give wheat berries a try. My whole family goes nuts for this salad, especially my mom. -Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Tomato wedges give this salad a juicy bite. It's a great use of fresh herbs and veggies from your own garden or the farmers market. -Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Guests of all ages will gravitate to this traditional "fluff" salad, chock-full of pineapple, marshmallows and cherry bits. -Janice Hensley, Owingsville, Kentucky
Potatoes and mushrooms make a one-dish meal I love - it's the calories you have to watch. Swap out dairy products with lower fat options. -Courtney Stultz, Columbus, Kansas
Crispy, doughy and totally delicious, this fry bread is fantastic with nearly any sweet or savory toppings you can think of. We love it with a little butter, a drizzle of honey and a squeeze of lemon....
Ever since we met, my husband has made me hash browns with bacon, pepper jack and sour cream. We share it when we have guests, too. -Annie Ciszak Pazar, Anchorage, Alaska
We love this recipe with its bright, crisp-tender snow peas and carrots, but you could easily substitute any veggies you have on hand. -Anne Smithson, Cary, North Carolina
"This is one of my favorite ways to fix potatoes," Lois reports. Slices are coated with a cheesy sauce and topped with golden crumbs. "We often serve it with baked ham on New Year's Day," she notes.
Convenient frozen hash browns are the secret behind the cheesy slow-cooker potatoes I cook up for potlucks and big group gatherings. -Julianne Henson, Streamwood, Illinois
Here in Iowa, asparagus patches grow wild along the roads. My husband and I often go asparagus hunting on Saturday and Sunday mornings. A tangy mustard sauce complements the fresh asparagus in this easy...
The day I first made this, we'd invited a neighbor-a bachelor farmer-over, and I wanted to fix something hearty. It was a hit instantly. These days, our three sons enjoy it as a change from regular mashed...