Starch Sides:

Horseradish Mashed Potatoes: stir prepared horseradish, melted butter and chopped chives into hot cooked mashed potatoes (either home made or heated packaged).

Rosy Couscous: hydrate whole-wheat couscous in simmering vegetable juice or spicy vegetable juice. Stir in chopped fresh basil or parsley.

Curried Rice: cook basmati or brown rice in chicken or vegetable broth adding curry powder to taste and a dash of cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce. Stir in toasted sliced almonds and chopped cilantro or green onions.

Creamy Fettuccini: toss hot cooked fettuccini pasta (or spinach fettuccini) with melted butter, whipping cream, a dash of nutmeg and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Cheddar Grits: stir grated sharp cheddar cheese and a minced clove of garlic into hot cooked grits (quick or regular) cooked in chicken broth rather than water according to package directions.

Lentils with Spinach: cook red or green lentils in chicken or vegetable broth according to package directions stirring in fresh baby spinach just until wilted after the lentils are tender. Sprinkle with crumbled feta or goat cheese if desired.

Quick Polenta: cook cornmeal with chicken or vegetable broth in a large microwave safe bowl at high power whisking every 2 minutes until thick and creamy. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Vegetable Sides:

Roasted Acorn Squash: bake halved acorn squash cut sides down until tender. Brush a mixture of melted butter, salt and a dash of cinnamon over the squash and top with toasted pecans or sliced almonds.

Sauteed Apples: (great with ham, pork or chicken dishes) saute sliced apples with a large sliced shallot in butter until tender adding a dash of cinnamon or cloves.

Creamed Spinach: cook chopped onion with chopped bacon, add thawed well-drained frozen chopped spinach, cream or half and half and a dash of nutmeg to heat through.