We really like eggplant and would rather have it baked than fried. This can be served as a side dish or main dish. -Donna Wardlow-Keating, Omaha, Nebraska
After our memorable lakeside ceremony, guests gathered with Creighton and me at a nearby hall for our reception. A dear friend, Sharon Kramer, fixed good home-style food. Her tempting menu included these...
This buttery pasta dish calls for orzo, which cooks quickly and is a nice change from ordinary pasta shapes. Orzo recipes make a superb side dish anytime, and in this dish, the garlic and Parmesan cheese...
This crispy salad from Pat Walter of Pine Island, Minnesota is a snap to make with convenient frozen green beans and peas. Diced pimientos add a dash of color, and the sweet-sour dressing adds flavor to...
These rich, creamy mashed potatoes are special enough for company, but my family won't wait for that. So I make them for everyday meals as well. The snipped chives add a nice touch of green to a springtime...
"In these special-occasion mashed potatoes, I use whipping cream instead of milk. I must admit that I was a little shocked when a good friend suggested this, but have to agree that it certainly makes ordinary...
Nothing could be more simple than this side dish. Since it has just four ingredients, I assemble it in no time, then pop it into the oven for about 15 minutes. It turns out perfect every time. -Mary Ann...
Here's a fabulous, healthy side dish that features a delightful blend of fresh herbs and sunny citrus flavors. Says Kathleen Martin of Medford, New York, "Anytime I take this to a picnic...the bowl is...
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...
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
This fresh and colorful side dish is delicious served warm or cold. I get lots of compliments on the homemade dressing. -Millie Vickery, Lena, Illinois
I found a recipe for a noodle and broccoli side dish, then changed it to use what I had on hand and to make it faster. Wow, it is good!-Janene Christensen, Eureka, Missouri
Don't be surprised if you make too many mashed potatoes on purpose. Day-old rolls and leftover spuds are scrumptious the second time around, turned into buttery potato dumplings. -Wendy Stenman, Germantown,...
Made with zucchini, these are a tasty change of pace from ordinary potato pancakes. Add a little shredded onion to give them a savory kick. -Charlotte Goldberg, Honey Grove, Pennsylvania
I've shared this recipe many times with relatives and friends, just as my sister-in-law shared it with me. It can be prepared up to two days in advance.-Margaret Lindberg, Richland, Washington
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...
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,...
I created this recipe after tasting quinoa at a local restaurant. I really enjoy rice pilaf, but I don't usually have time to make it. This quick-cooking side is a tasty alternative. -Sonya Fox of Peyton,...
This healthy side dish goes with just about anything. And for a satisfying meal, we like it over pasta or grilled chicken or turkey breasts. -Maureen McClanahan, St. Louis, Missouri
Marie Siciliano of Westerly, Rhode Island needs just four items to toss together this crunchy coleslaw that gets a sweet twist from dried cranberries. The shredded broccoli mixture is lightly coated with...
I've found a fast and fantastic way to turn leftover rice into a spectacular side dish. I spice it up with Creole seasoning and pepper to give it a boost of flavor, then sprinkle it with paprika for color....
The herb butter can be used for everything from vegetables to roast chicken, turkey, game hens-let your imagination be your guide.-Sandra Corey, Caldwell, Idaho
'This citrus punch was served at every birthday party I had when I was growing up," says Brenda Rupert from Clyde, Ohio. "Now I prepare it for my kids. You can slices between the scoops of sherbet," she...
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....
These wonderful oven-roasted potatoes are very pretty to serve-the partially cut slices spread out in the shape of a fan. Folks at a potluck can easily take as many slices as they want. I especially like...
Every time we take this super rich corn to a holiday potluck or work party, we leave with an empty slow cooker. It's decadent, homey and so worth the splurge. -Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
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,...
"This crisp, fresh-tasting slaw keeps in the fridge for several days," notes Deborah Moore-Dedenbach from Big Bay, Michigan. It's a bargain, too, at 13 cents a serving. "We live about an hour from the...
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...
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...
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...
Rich and creamy these grits make a great side dish for a Southern-style meal. I make these at my annual Kentucky Derby party.-Kristin Arnett, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Everyday mashed potatoes become appealingly elegant in Kathy Kittell's extra-cheesy souffle. "This casserole bakes up fluffy and golden-and makes a perfect company side dish," she confides from her Lenexa,...
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
I first tasted this rich, old-fashioned fruit salad at my wedding reception many years ago. The ladies who did the cooking wouldn't share the recipe at the time, but I eventually got it. I've made it for...
Flavored with garlic salt and chives, these potatoes are rich, creamy and oh, so yummy. A sprinkling of paprika gives this dish a festive look. We prefer these to plain mash potatoes.-Cyneli Fynaardt,...
I first served this yummy casserole years ago at a family brunch for my husband's birthday. It was such a hit that it became a mainstay at our family get-togethers. It makes a delicious supper, too, served...
Clarice Scheeringa of Ripon, California shares this dressed-up asparagus. "I live in the heart of asparagus country, so I'm always on the look out for new ways to serve it," she explains. "Lemon and a...
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
Fresh summer veggies are the best! I like to cook them up with some butter, salt and pepper so the veggie flavor really comes through. -Heather Esposito, Rome, New York
I make this hot vegetable dish quite often in summer when zucchini is abundant. Garden-fresh sliced onion and tomato add a tasty touch.-Christopher Gordon, Springfield, Missouri
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
This recipe was inspired by a tiny Greek restaurant we used to go to during grad school. To make the potatoes extra delicious, use a high-quality olive oil and a nice kosher or sea salt. -Karol Chandler-Ezell,...
This is a colorful and tasty alternative to coleslaw. Like most gardeners, we usually have an abundance of squash and zucchini in summer, so this dish is inexpensive to prepare and a great way to put this...
"When I was visiting my husband's family in North Carolina, I sampled this wonderful Southern specialty," recounts Marilyn Hallman of Mt. Prospect, Illinois. A sugary pecan topping sweetened the comforting...