Vegetable Side Dishes
3 awesome vegetable dishes to include on your holiday dinner table
Holiday Veggie Side Dishes
Blessings of food and family on holidays. I remember the holiday of Passover growing up so vividly in our home and at our relatives home. It was a tradition to get together and sit at the table for hours mostly singing songs and reading from the hagaddah - a book about the passover story which shares the biblical story of the exodus - where G-D freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Love these memories and now love hosting our own seders - a ritual feast and meaningful traditions!
There’s always a theme to the holidays - an intention that inspires us. The story of passover - a time of busting out of limitations and letting go of what doesn’t work anymore such as the cluttering our lives, the foods that irritate, the negativity, etc. This holiday teaches us about life in the present, right here, right now - as per the story of exodus. We are all going through our own personal struggles, mind games, possibly being stuck and hoping to be free from what hold’s us back. The stories can be lessons for us on a daily basis. The holiday of passover is one that falls in the spring - nothing is coincidental! It’s a time to ‘let go’, feel free from burdens whether physical, emotional and/or mental sensations. The intention at this time is a practice to unite together in freedom, gratitude and love.
‘May the thoughts, words, and actions of our lives contribute to that happiness and to that FREEDOM for all” - Jivamukti Text - a path of liberation
And, as we prepare for the feast at our dinner tables let us all go for the lighter, healthier choices. Veggies rock. They are all kosher for passover and look festive, colorful, nutritious and will leave your gut happy - without the bloat. Actually, between the matzah and desserts it can be tricky, but, nonetheless, enjoy, chew well and prepare some peppermint tea and ginger for a wonderful digestive aid. BTW, I always bring along tea bags in my purse wherever I go - prepare to succeed! If you’re hosting prepare your tea in advance so you can chill after the meal and have your guests help themselves - a big urn is helpful!
Roasted Cauliflower
Recipe:
Roasted Cauliflower
1 medium cauliflower - cut into florets - 6 cups
4 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup fresh parsley - minced
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary - minced
1 tsp fresh thyme. - minced
1 tsp lemon zest peel - grated
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes - crushed
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Place cauliflower on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Drizzle only 2 tbsp oil and toss to coat
Roast 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and tender
In a small bowl combine 2 tbsp of olive oil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, lemon zest and red pepper flakes and stir
Transfer cauliflower to large bowl, drizzle with the herb mixture and toss
Roasted Asparagus
Recipe:
Roasted Asparagus
2 lbs asparagus - w bunches - approx. 15 spears in a lb
1/4 cup olive oil
4 tsp lemon zest - grated
2 garlic cloves
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Place asparagus on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Mix olive oil, lemon. Zest, and garlic and drizzle over the asparagus
Toss to coat the asparagus
Roast for 8-12 minutes - until crisp and tender - less is more!
Radish Salad
Recipe:
Radish Salad
1 lbs radishes - quartered or sliced - 16 oz - approx 20 radishes
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
pinch of black pepper
1 tbsp fresh oregano or 1 tsp dried oregano
1-2 tsp white wine vinegar - optional
This is a small side salad - you can double the portions for a larger salad.
I’ll be serving a giant salad as well so this radish salad is more of a taster salad. You don’t need much on your plate. It looks great on the dinner table and it’s crunchilicious! The wine vinegar adds a tartiness although for me I like to keep it simple and salty.
Toss the radishes with the olive oil, salt and oregano
serve in a nice bowl
Genia’s Spoon Me Tips:
Serving these veggies in beautiful bowls will look 5 star on your dining table besides super delicious.
These recipes include natures gift of herbs. The power of using herbs in your recipes is a win win. Herbs have a wealth of protective polyphenols -antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects. Herbs are a super for - worth treating yourself to fresh herbs more often.
Happy holidays and enjoy your veggies and herbs,
Health, Love, FREEDOM and gratitude,
Genia