2 Super Quick Sides

Looking back over my past post on this blog I see that I have been rather quick to talk about main meals. What would a main course be without great sides to go with it? These two side dishes are very common at my house simply because of how quick and easy they are to do. Pair these sides with any of the recipes from my 3 Fastest Entrees Post (http://parkfooddude.blogspot.com/2010/03/3-fastest-entrees-you-will-ever-make.html) , or serve them with your own main course.

Remember how I talked about the amazingness of parchment paper? Here's how it will turn cauliflower, my most detested of veggies, into something awesome.

Roasted Cauliflower

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Kosher Salt
Cracked Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a heavy baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut cauliflower into 1.5 - 2 inch pieces and place in large bowl. Add olive oil and salt and pepper to taste (I do 2 heavy pinches of salt and 7-8 turn of the pepper mill). Toss the cauliflower to coat with oil and S&P. Arrange on baking sheet and place in middle rack of the oven. Roast until tender and browned on the edges, about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway. The pieces near the sides will brown more so re-arrange at halfway point. Taste for right amount of S&P and add more if desired. If you like you can add spices before roasting such as coriander, cumin, smoked paprika or chipotle powder but personally I think you should try it without the first time. You will be shocked at how sweet these pieces of cauliflower are!

This next one is so incredibly fast and easy. Can you make rice? Can you melt butter? Great! You are extremely qualified to make this!

Curried Rice

Ingredients

2 cups cooked rice
2 tbsp butter or margarine
2 tbsp finely minced onion
1 to 1.5 tsp medium curry powder (to taste)
Salt
Pepper

Cook 1 cup of rice using whatever method you prefer...stovetop, rice cooker or however you like. As long as you get 2 cups of rice at the end you are golden. Just as rice is done melt the butter in a pan and add the onion. Cook for a few minutes until tender. Stir in curry powder and add a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Add butter mixture to the hot rice and stir to combine. You can add many things to your rice at this point. Some suggestions are toasted almond pieces, chopped pimentos or olives, capers or diced roasted peppers.

How easy was that? So go and make these! No excuse for not making easy sides for supper!

Cheers

PFD