Category: Side Dishes

Appetizers, Greek, Party Favorites, Salad, Side Dishes, snacks

Tomato Basil Chickpea Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Tomato Basil Chickpea Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
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During this time at home, I have gotten really good at using up things from my pantry. In this week’s adventures, I realized I literally only had chickpeas, a pint of cherry tomatoes, lemons, and pantry staples / spice rack items (and my newly planted fresh herbs). After Googling for some ideas, I found some similar recipes to this one, which I tweaked to make my own. It turned out SO GOOD! This would be the perfect summer barbecue side or appetizer served with small pita triangles.

Ingredients

2 15-oz. cans chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained

1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, cut into quarters

1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

1 tsp garlic powder (add more to taste if you’d like)

4 tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Let sit for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator before serving to let the flavors set in.
  2. Serve as a side salad or with pita bread!
Appetizers, Italian, Party Favorites, Pizza, Side Dishes

Maple Glazed Brussel Sprout and Goat Cheese Flatbread with Balsamic Drizzle

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Maple Glazed Brussel Sprout and Goat Cheese Flatbread with Balsamic Drizzle

I recently bought pizza dough with no plans on how I was going to use it. With some research and a belly full of regular pizza from the night before, I was inspired to try out this flatbread filled with notes of both savory and sweet goodness.

Ingredients

12 oz. pizza dough (I used Pillsbury)

1 red onion, chopped into thin strips

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

1 package shredded brussel sprouts

1 tbsp maple syrup

2 tbsp flour

4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

1 tsp herbes de Provence seasoning

4 oz. goat cheese

Balsamic glaze

1 1/2 tbsp olive oil

These are the brussel sprouts I used – this size worked perfectly!
Freshly grate your mozzarella cheese for better melty goodness!

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven according to package directions on the dough. Remove pizza dough and roll it out with some flour to prevent sticking. Place the stretched dough on a lightly greased rimmed baking sheet (on parchment paper if you have it!)
  2. While oven is preheating, add olive oil to a large pan over medium heat. Add your red onion and saute for about 5 minutes, or until onions are soft and translucent.
  3. Add in brussel sprouts and crushed red pepper (if you don’t like a little heat, you can skip this ingredient). Stir until the brussel sprouts begin to soften for about 3 more minutes. Then, add in 1 tbsp of maple syrup and stir to coat the brussel sprout and onion mixture. Cook for another minute and remove the pan from heat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  4. Rub the pizza dough with about 1 tbsp of olive oil and a little more salt and pepper. If using Pillsbury, place it in the oven before topping, according to package directions.
  5. When ready for toppings, sprinkle fresh shredded mozzarella on top of the pizza dough. Then top with herbes de Provence and the onion/brussel sprout mixture. Break up some goat cheese and scatter over the top.
  6. Bake the flatbread according to package directions, or until crisped up and cooked to your liking.
  7. Take the flatbread out and let cool for a few minutes. Then, drizzle some balsamic glaze over the top, cut, and serve!
Almost ready to eat — before the balsamic drizzle!
Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator. Calories reflect one serving.
Appetizers, Party Favorites, Side Dishes, snacks, Under 10 WW SmartPoints, Under 5 WW SmartPoints

Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint

So I’m having a crisis. It is October, BUT, it’s still 80 degrees outside! Therefore, we can have our juicy chilled watermelon salad at the same time as our soups, chilis, and chowders. This bright, fresh watermelon feta mint salad is the perfect side dish or appetizer. It is so easy, but so satisfying!

Ingredients

12 cups cubed watermelon (1/2 inch-1 inch cubes), chilled

1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese

1 cup mint leaves, chopped

3 limes, juiced

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large serving bowl.
  2. Garnish with additional feta and mint.
  3. Serve chilled as an appetizer or side dish!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 3 points per serving (12 servings total). Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Print a copy for your recipe binder!

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
Appetizer, Appetizers, Party Favorites, Side Dishes, snacks, Under 10 WW SmartPoints, Under 5 WW SmartPoints, Vegetarian

Summer Corn and Black Bean Salad

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Summer Corn and Black Bean Salad

One of my favorite summer activities is attending a great summertime barbecue. The grill, the sun, the sides…it all makes for the perfect day. Here is one of my all time favorite barbecue recipes, and the best part about it is…dump and go! No cooking required. This summer corn and black bean salsa is the perfect side dish or dip to bring along with you!

Ingredients

2 can black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans corn, rinsed and drained

1 small container of grape tomatoes (or tomatoes of your choice), diced

1 small red onion, diced

1 avocado, cubed

3 tbsp lime juice

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup cilantro (optional)

Directions

  1. Combine black beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, and avocado in a large bowl. Mix until well combined.
  2. Add in olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Toss to coat. Add more salt to taste if needed.
  3. Serve as a side dish, as an appetizer dip with tortilla chips, or as a topping for grilled chicken or burgers!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 2 points per serving (12 servings total). Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Print a copy of this recipe for your recipe binder!