A little bit on the side

I've been in a bit of a food rut lately, mainly the side dishes we have been having have become ho hum.  This week I was a bit inspired by Masterchef.  It's the first season I've watched in some time and I have falled for it hook, line and sinker.  I especially love the mystery box segments.  Seriously, these amateur chefs leave me open mouthed with what they cook under pressure and with time constraints.  How they manage to remember all these recipes they come up with has me thinking are they allowed to bring in a note book or do a quick google of a recipe? What do you think?!

I took up my own challenge and 

here is some of what I came up with this week to have on the side.

Some beans from the freezer with zucchini sliced up with the last of our cherry tomatoes.  Cook with a good knob of butter and a crushed garlic clove until beans are tender.  I added some fresh bread crumbs, parsley, flaxseeds and a good dose of salt and pepper.  This would also be great tossed through pasta, brown rice or cous cous.

This is a duck egg potato frittata.  A friend kindly gave us both chicken and duck eggs.  I was a bit gun shy using the duck eggs but they really were beautiful.  This has finely sliced potato and sweet potato which has been blanched in boiling water for 3 minutes, drained and dried.  They are added to 6 eggs, a splash of soy milk, 3 sliced spring onions and a scattering of parsley.  A few slices of brie turned this into a gourmet delight but some shaved cheddar or parmesan would be just as good.  I served it sliced in wedges ( 8 slices from this frittata) along side our meaty dish.

This cheats cauliflower cheese is a sinch and a sure family hit.  Boil the cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes.  Drain and add to a small oven proof dish.  Grate some cheddar and mix with fresh bread crumbs with some chopped up almonds and top the cauliflower with this crunchy topping.  Bake for 25 minutes in a moderate oven.

And finally my spin on frozen peas.  I boiled the peas with some of our broad beans from summer along with 2 spring onions.  Drain and add knob of butter, fresh mint and salt and pepper, delish.

I hope these inspire you to mix up your sides this coming week.  Have you got any recipes that you make to move away from just plain old steamed veg?

Ciao, Jan x