Delicious Sides

After a long day at the office, I love to relax by cooking. There's something therapeutic about methodical chopping-- call me crazy, but I think it's true. A lot of folks focus on the main dish and rely on a bagged salad for your side. Lately I've tried some delicious combos to compliment the main dish, and I'd like to share them with you! These are all super easy, and would be great for your next get together, or just a quiet dinner at home.

Roasted Potatoes and Lemon with Dill

(Photo & recipe from Real Simple)

Ingredients: 

New Potatoes

Lemon

Olive Oil, 2 tbsp

Salt and Pepper to taste

Dill, chopped, 2 tbsp

Directions:

Chop the potatoes into quarters and slice the lemon thin. Toss these in a bowl with the olive oil, salt/pepper, and fresh dill. After coating thoroughly, lay out on a baking sheet. Roast, tossing once, for about 25-35 minutes. 

The other side that I've been obsessed with lately is Kale with White Beans. I had a bunch of kale and knew I wanted to use it as a side- so I just mixed it with what we had on hand. Fantastic result! It's so so so easy and incredibly delicious. I love the crunch of kale paired with the smooth texture of the white beans.

Photo from Sweet Savory Planet

Ingredients:
Kale

White Beans, one can drained

Garlic, 2 tbsp

Olive oil, to coat skillet

 

Directions:

This is a recipe you can do in your sleep!  Heat olive oil in a skillet to medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add kale and white beans. Toss the beans and kale together, being careful not to smoosh (technical term) the beans. If the kale isn't getting soft, cover the pan with a lid to enlist the help of steam.

Do you have any go-to side dishes that are fun and interesting? I'd love to get some new ones in my repitoire.

*disclaimer: the photo of the kale recipe are from another blog. I'm horrible at taking pictures of food, and I wanted to picture to reflect a dish that you'd be interested in making.

Superbowl Sunday

 Mr. SE's family is from Madison, WI. So of course we're pulling for the Packers!

Today is the day, friends! The day that Americans gather around their entirely large TV, eating very fatty food (while drinking beer), and cheering on their favorite teams. That's right, it's SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!!!!! Mr. SE and I are hosting a party for the big game and we're super excited. I spent most of yesterday tidying the house (and a trip to Ross for some fun home goods, but more on that later). Here's what we're going to have for the game....

Pioneer Woman Restaurant Style Salsa

I made this last night to let the flavors blend, and O.M.G. it is so good!

Turkey Chili (recipe from Mr. SE's Mama)

Pizza Rolls

Because my man loves them

Bean Dip and Guacamole 

courtesy of the lovely Mrs. Smith

White Wine Cake

Recipe from my Bridal Shower

Delicious Dinner and One Sleepy Puppy

{take a looksie at my cute Oil & Vinegar set from Home Goods}

Last night I made a delicious dinner that I just had to share. Mr. SE handles the Asia Pacific accounts for his company and works late on Tuesday nights to compensate for the time difference. The good news: we get to sleep in until 11ish in the middle of the week. Bad news: he doesn't come home until 9pm at the earliest. So on Tuesday nights I've been making slack-ass meals for myself. No more. I'm going to try and make a simply, healthy meal every Tuesday from now on.

Last night I picked up some fresh Perdue chicken tenders. Coated them w/olive oil, dried rosemary, salt, pepper and baked them in the over. Used my bagged greens and sliced up a red pepper. Drizzled oil and vinegar on top of the greens and placed chicken tenders on top. End result: delicious perfection! I ate my fancy feast on a tray table and watched the CMT Awards.

One last this I felt compelled to share. Duffie has found a new home in my closet. Our closets are particularly small, so I've started using the one in our 2nd bedroom (office). The closet aligns next to my desk and Duffie now enjoys curling up at the end with my dresses. Too cute to NOT take a picture! Yes, those are my scrapping supplies. We had the carpets cleaned yesterday and had to get everything off the floor. {see her at the end?}