This dish is representative of my area of the country, and particularly the Texas-Louisiana border. The okra, corn and Creole seasonings are all popular here. -Ruth Aubey, San Antonio, Texas
My mother has made this tasty salad for as long as I can remember. It's no surprise that this recipe has worked its way into my hand-written "Most Used Recipes" book. --Lili Hill of Athens, Georgia
At our house, we add sausage and a little steak sauce to this cornbread dressing for a meal that warms our cold winter nights. -Mandy Nall, Montgomery, Alabama
"When I want a super side dish that's real old-fashioned comfort food, I make a batch of this macaroni and cheese," notes field editor Joanie Elbourn of Gardner, Massachusetts.
"The horseradish marinade sparks the flavor of this simple salad," says field editor Doris Heath of Bryson City, North Carolina. "The beets look particularly pretty on a bed of lettuce."
This no-fuss dish gets its zippy taste from Cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes. Even those who don't like asparagus will enjoy these buttery spears.
Spanakopita is the Greek name for this traditional dish featuring spinach and feta cheese. You can serve it as a side dish or meatless main dish. My dad and I used to fight over the last piece. -Sharon...
When I found a potato recipe that called for vinegar, I was intrigued. But without all the ingredients on hand, I had to improvise and gave it a whirl using Italian seasoning and balsamic vinegar. It turned...
The ultimate in French-Canadian junk food, poutine commonly features warm fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. This side dish is quick to fix with frozen potatoes and packaged gravy but has all the...
Thanks to a challenge in the TOH online community a few years back, my husband and I tried parsnips and discovered that we liked them! In fact, I started growing them in my garden and have been trying...
Brown rice, a whole grain, contains all the nutrients and essential parts of the entire grain seed. It adds almost three times as much heart-healthy fiber to this mild-flavored brown rice pilaf as white...
This simple dish is always a big hit, even with non-vegetable lovers. I've substituted frozen green beans for fresh, omitting the blanching process, and it still tastes great.
"You'll find this delicious squash is a welcome change from plain vegetable side dishes," assures Karen Scaglione of Nanuet, New York. "It makes a great accompaniment to pork roast."
"We love green beans at our house and enjoy them at least once a week. I'm always experimenting with new ways to fix them," pens Sue Haviland of Lake Mills, Wisconsin. "Garlic cloves and mushrooms lend...
With five different dairy products, you know this make-ahead mashed potato casserole is going to be super rich and, of course, delicious. It gets even better topped with onions and bacon! -JoAnn Koerkenmeier,...
This flavorful no-frills side dish is a great way to incorporate the nutritious leafy greens into a meal. My mom always included creamed spinach or carrots on our holiday menu. -Rosemarie Forcum White...
Instead of having the same mashed potatoes, spice up your mashed potatoes with onions. They are so easy to make and compliment any main dish.-Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
"This nicely seasoned casserole combines popular rice and the goodness of fresh spinach," says Mathilda Navias of Tiffin, Ohio. "Topped with Parmesan cheese, it's a savory side dish with any meat."
Dried apricots add sweetness and color to this dish. Seasoned with sage and thyme, the down-home dish is sure to have guests asking for seconds at your house, too.-Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House,...
Green beans are a reliable standby, but they can seem ordinary on their own. Just a couple of extra ingredients give them a sweet and salty attitude. This is definitely my family's favorite way to enjoy...
Mom's garden in the '40s provided us with many delicious vegetables, but her sweet peas were the best. She would pick them fresh, shell them and fix the best creamed sweet peas ever on her huge wood stove....
Fresh, fruity flavor makes this pretty salad popular with all ages. Our whole family really digs into its fluffy goodness. I can put it together in the morning or even the night before and pop it in the...
"You don't have to fuss to make a special side dish for tow, as this recipe proves," says Sarah Rodgers of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. "It's so easy to dress up zucchini halves with this flavorful mushroom...
The first time my friends tasted my new side dish, they said it was phenomenal. The longer you let it chill in the fridge, the more tender the sprouts will be. -Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
These tasty potatoes are a family favorite. They're easy to make and travel well to potlucks. We enjoy them as part of a hearty breakfast or alongside meat for supper. -Delores Billings, Koksilah, British...
My grandmother makes this sweet potato souffle recipe every Thanksgiving. It's just so full of love and memories (and pecans!) that it needs to be shared. -Natalie Gray, Moreland, Georgia
The fresh flavor and crunchy texture of garden vegetables star in this tart colorful coleslaw. Lightly dressed with vinegar and oil, it's a refreshing summer salad. My mom fixed it often when I was growing...
While I was growing up, it was our family tradition to make creamed peas with pearl onions for every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. My dad was not a happy camper if he didn't see this dish on the table....
Chopped onion, minced garlic and soy sauce add savory seasoning to this snappy side dish from Connie Moore of Medway, Ohio. At a mere 10ยข a serving, it's easy to stir-fry on the stove top when time is...
Convenient grocery store items like frozen hash browns and a can of chicken soup make this an easy-to-make dish. Both kids and adults love it because it's super tasty and chock full of cheese. -lightningbug,...
Creamy chunks of potato and crunchy bits of veggies, this traditional potato salad will gain rave reviews from your gang. It's perfect for your last family gathering of the summer. Dixie Terry, Goreville,...
This salad has been a family favorite for a while! I love to bring this to parties or simply eat as a wonderful lunch or side dish. -Nikki Barton, Providence, Utah
This potato dish is perfect with prime rib and many other entrees. Make it ahead and have it ready to pop into the oven for the party. The topping of cornflake crumbs and Parmesan cheese adds crunch. -Paula...
Anna Stodolak sends her quick veggie side dish that's sure to perk up any dinner. Anna uses fresh yellow squash and peppers from her Volant, Pennsylvania garden.
With just a handful of ingredients, this side comes together in a jiffy. Coupled with the ravioli, it's a menu that might just make you fall in love, Italian-style! -Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, KS
One taste of this classic comforting dish and you'll never buy a store-bought box of au gratin potatoes again! The thinly sliced "spuds" cook up tender in no time. Your family will request this many times...
Freshly harvested asparagus says spring is in the air, and on your table. Eating the tender spears right off the grill is pure pleasure.-Lessie Sites, Livingston, Montana
At the holidays, I use butter and white rice in this recipe, just like my mom and generations of Armenian women did. But most days I saute the vermicelli in olive oil and substitute brown rice for white....
Quinoa is such a fantastic salad base-it's full of protein, it adds a nutty flavor, and it's the perfect vehicle to soak up any kind of dressing. If you like a little more heat, add more cayenne or curry...
Thai food lovers will go crazy for this soup. It has a deep flavor from the combination of onion, coconut milk and spices. -Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
My seven children and 15 grandchildren really look forward to carrots when they're prepared this flavorful way. As a cook at our local school, I served two generations of my brood, plus relatives and friends...
For weeknights, holidays and special events, we make a sweet and tangy carrot dish flavored with ginger, lemon juice and honey. Make it ahead and reheat in the oven if needed or swap out the almonds for...
The fresh flavor of parsley is perfect with hot buttered potatoes-it adds a little extra zip. I used this recipe when I did all the cooking at our restaurant, and customers loved it.
This creamy cheese sauce for broccoli is a great way to jazz up veggies. Try any cheese you like. For an elegant look, garish with minced parsley or grated egg whites. -Sandy Spackman, Trenton, Utah
To avoid turning my oven on in the summer, I grill just about everything-including this creamy potato salad. My friends have dubbed this 'The Best Potato Salad You'll Ever Put in Your Mouth!"-and I love...