Ebony and Ivory Side Dishes: Perfect Harmony!

step aside

Step aside for some tasty side dishes of steamed spinich and butternut squash! Two of my favorites served with roasted leg of lamb.

Steamed spinich takes approximately 3-5 minutes to steam and in boiling salted water. I add a drizzle of olive oil to the salt water when steaming the spinich. A quick side for any meat or fish dish. I like to add red chili flakes and fresh garlic (to taste). Leftovers are perfect for an omelette.

Butternut squash, a winter squash is sweet and versatile! I like to roast it and mash into soups, salads or a casserole with lots of cheese (another blog…). I served the leftovers with corn chips as a dip! I roasted the squash with a drizzle of olive oil (:30 minutes, 350F) until the squash was softened. I mashed the squash and added some sweet butter and 1/4 cup of half/half cream. Salt and black pepper to taste.

a presto,

maria !

Spinach!

Viva Los Spinach!

One of my favorite greens is Spinich. Not only is it healthy (Vitamin A, C, Calcium, Iron), it is very simple to prepare! I prepare spinich the same way I prepare other greens like rapini(broccoli rabe).

Bring a large pot of water to boil and add 2 tablespoons of salt. Blanche the spinich by dipping into the boiling water for approx. 5 minutes. Drain the spinich in a colander.

In a medium pan, medium heat, add a tablespoon (or two) of olive oil, 2 cloves of garlic (sliced), a pinch of red chili flakes (optional), sautee for a minute. Add the spinch and sautee for two minutes. Ready to serve. Quick and easy!

Add a drizzle of olive oil,salt and black pepper (to taste). The perfect side with your favorite meats or fish. I also like to squeeze a little fresh lemon to spinich too!

If you have leftovers, it’s perfect with eggs – be creative!

a presto,

maria !