SENSATIONAL ON THE SIDE…A few of my favourite sides!
Ring Lardner
Sensational sides…what a great idea. This month’s edition of Monthly Mingles, Sensational Sides, is being hosted by Ruth @ Ruth’s Kitchen Experiments (& also host of Bookmarked Recipes). 
I loved it when Ruth announced her choice / theme for Octobers’ Monthly Mingle which she is hosting. Sensational Sides. Says it all actually… sides are indeed sensational & bring out the best in the menu, complimenting & enhancing the lay-out. Unfortunately, as we often see it, the main dish walks away with the glory; now, the sides are claiming their lost glory slowly but surely. They should be quick to rustle up. Here are a few of my favourites that show up every now & then. I try & keep similar flavours in the marinades, salad dressings to the meal together. You can change the flavours as you like to compliment the cuisine. It’s fun…
Grilled Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese – 200gms; cubed
Red bell pepper – 1/2, chopped into 1/2″ pieces
Yellow bell pepper – 1/2; chopped into 1/2″ pieces
Onion – 1; chopped into 1/2″ pieces
Oil – 2tbsps
Black rock salt – 1/2 tsp
Juice of 1 lime
Freshly ground pepper 
Method;
Whisk the oil + salt + lime juice + pepper.
Marinate the cottage cheese + vegetables in this for at least 30 minutes.
Thread cocktail sticks through them & grill for 5-7 minutes, turning a couple of times, until done.
Oven Roasted Garlic Potatoes
Potatoes – 3-4; Parboiled, peeled & cut into wedges
Roasted garlic – 1 tbsp
Olive oil – 3 tbsp
Sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
Method:
Toss the wedges in the rest of the ingredients to coat evenly & well.
Lay out flat in a baking tin & grill at high for 15 minutes, turn over & grill again till brown & crusty.
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Grilled Tomatoes
Ingredients:
Small, firm tomatoes – 1-2 per head
Olive Oil – 2 tbsps
Grilled Italian seasoning/oregano – 1 tsp
Lime juice – 1/1 tsp
Sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
Mozzarella & basil 
Method:
Slice off the top of each tomato.
Whisk olive oil + Italian seasonings/oregano + salt + pepper + lime juice.
Drizzle tomatoes liberally with dressing & leave to sit for 30minutes.
Place on a hot grill till done (soft but holding shape), turning once. Top with mozzarella & fresh basil.
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Deeba @ PAB
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
27 Comments
Ning
Your side dishes indeed looks sensational! Beautifully presented!
Helene
Everything looks great for sides. I would prefer the potatoes.
noble pig
The sides are fabulous but I love that spoon with the corn…so beautiful Deeba!
Divya Kudua
Truly sensational sides Deeba…if sides were served like this,I wouldn’t mind skipping the main dish!!
Snooky doodle
hmm these really look good. And they don t seem to be really difficult recipes either. Good for me since I m not that good in cooking food. I d like to try the potatoes and the ricotta cheese ones. really yummy
Happy cook
That is a whole lot of sensational side dishes.
I love that spoon too.
meeso
Sometimes, coming up with a side dish is the most pained part of cooking for me… These are some great ideas that I will try out next time 🙂
Simran
What a lovely collection!
Lori Lynn
They all sound great. I think I would pick the corn as my number one. And I love that spoon!
Dwiana P
Indeed sensational! Debra. I like the photographs of grilled cottage cheese.
Bharti
I could just eat those sides and not need a main course at all.
Laurie
I am awe struck by you Deeba! How do you find the time to bake, cook, photograph, blog design, write and raise a family!! You are awesome. Do you sleep?
I too love that spoon! And all your sides look so delicious!
Peter G
What a fantastic selection of sides! Where does one start choosing? I especially love the potatoes.
Ivy
All of your side dishes sound great and of course you always make such a beautiful presentation. I have made garlic potatoes which I have not posted so maybe I shall see if I have other dishes as well to participate.
amandalwh
Hihi Deeba,
Woah~ stunning and wonderful pics as always! U need to teach me a trick or two =) lovely recipes as well! 😛 sides… Yummy, esp when i’m the “sides person”, i am the kind that will go for more sides than have a main. *wink*
Amanda
Meeta
i knew you would do something sensational for the MM. Lovely. Theses sides all use my fave ingredients. Perfect!
Núria
Everytime I come to your blog, there’s a Fiesta going on!!! ;D What a spread of wonderful side dishes, Deeba! I couldn’t choose only one… 😀
Bellini Valli
All of these sides have a lot to offer Deeba:D
Ruth E
Hey Deeba,
Great dishes! Thanks for sending them into the Monthly Mingle!
Ruth
Susan from Food Blogga
I would like these sides as mains, please!
Sunshinemom
I would sit through this course and not want to go ahead:) Corn is my fave too – Could have it any time of the day and so easy to prepare! Sensational!
BTW – I got confused a little when I saw the header – changing the theme?
chefectomy
They all look simply sensational Deeba!
ovenhaven
I’m big on sides, and these look sensational! I’d like the oven roasted garlic potatoes please 😛
Sangeeth
I love MM event too! to answer ur question, yes I did design my site but with a little help! 🙂 Happy that u liked it!
Alexa
Those are all great sides! I don’t know which one to start on. Maybe the corn salad… it all looks so good.
Rosie
Your side dishes are simply sensational Deeba!
Rosie x
Jeanne
Love *love* the corn lime chilli salad! I have recently discovered that flavour combination in a big way and am now addicted! and I am definitely making those tomatoes…