Category Archives: Side Dishes

Spicy Tomato Beans

Hot & Spicy, Main Courses, Side Dishes, Vegetarian

  • 225g/8oz french beans, trimmed
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely sliced
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 large beef tomato, roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp tomato puree
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 1/2 tsp tabasco sauce
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil
  • 2 tbsp low-fat yoghurt

1. Cut the french beans in half. Heat up a pan of salted water, add the beans, cook for 5 minutes, then drain.

2. Heat the olive oil in a pan. Add the sliced onion and crushed garlic and fry gently until soft and just beginning to brown. Then add the chopped beef tomato, tomato puree, water, tabasco sauce and sugar. Bring to the boil, cover the pan and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

3. Add the cooked beans tot he tomato mixture along with the chopped basil and salt and pepper. Cover again and cook for a further 5 minutes over a medium heat. Finally, stir in the natural yoghurt and serve.

Serves 4

Spicy Bean & Cucumber Salad

Holidays, Hot & Spicy, Salads, Side Dishes, Starters, Vegetarian

  • 2 cups cooked chopped green beans, about 11oz
  • 1 cup finely chopped peeled cucumber, about 1 medium cucumber
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/2 medium onion
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh hot green chillie pepper or 1/4 crushed red
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/2 salt

Mix all infredients. cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours or until chilled

Serves 6

Chicken Liver Pate

Chicken, Family Favourites, Side Dishes, Starters

  • 225g/8oz chicken livers
  • 3 tbsp cream
  • 75g/3oz butter
  • Salt and pepper
  • Pinch mixed herbs
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1/4lb bacon

1. Cook all ingredients except cream in the butter for 5-10 minutes in a frying pan.

2. Liquidise mixture and add the cream and a dash of sherry or brandy. Allow to cool.

Roasted Vegetable Paella

Main Courses, Side Dishes, Starters, Vegetarian

  • 75g/23/4oz courgettes, cut into 2.5cm/1in chunks
  • 75g/23/4oz aubergines, cut into 2.5cm/1in chunks
  • 1/2 red onion, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 small stick celery, cut into 2.5cm/1in chunks
  • 1/2 red or yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 75g/23/4oz cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 small sprig rosemary
  • 1 small sprig thyme
  • 2tbsp virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 75g/23/4oz basmati rice, washed and drained
  • 300ml/1/2 pint chicken or vegetable stock
  • Chopped fresh herbs to serve

1. Preheat oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Put all the vegetables in a large roasting pan or shallow ovenproof dish with the garlic and herbs. Sprinkle with olive oil, season well with salt and pepper and roast for about 45 minutes or until all the vegetables are tender and beginning to brown slightly at the edges.

2. Put the rice in a small ovenproof dish, put the vegetables on top and pour over the stock. Cook in the oven for about 1 hour or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Serve on hot plates sprinkled with fresh herbs.

Salmon Mousse

Fish, Salads, Side Dishes, Starters

  • 225g/8oz cooked salmon
  • 300ml/1/2 pint cold bechamel sauce
  • 150ml/1/4 pint mayonnaise
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 oz gelatin, dissolved in 3 tbsp water
  • 75ml/21/2fl oz doubel cream, whipped
  • 50g/2 oz chopped prawns

1. Oil dish. Pound salmon until smooth. Add bechamel sauce and mayonnaise to salmon a little at a time. Season.

2. Fold in dissolved gelatin, cream and prawns. Turn into mould and leave to set.