What Is Tabbouleh? 

Tabbouleh, also known as tabouli or tabbouleh salad, is a popular Middle Eastern side dish. No matter how it is spelled, the root of the word comes from the Arabic word ‘taabil’ which means to season or spice. The dish is believed to be more than 4,000 years old, having first been eaten by people in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria. 

Today, there are many variations of the dish, but it always consists of fresh produce and contains a few staple ingredients such as bulgur, parsley, tomatoes, olive oil, and lemon juice.

With its satisfying texture and a bright, savory flavor, it’s not hard to see why tabbouleh has quickly grown in popularity throughout the world. In fact, it’s won over the heart of so many that the first Saturday of July is known as National Tabbouleh Day in Lebanon. 

If you’ve never had it, tabbouleh is sure to become a fast favorite in your home.  

Is It Healthy? 

Generally speaking, tabbouleh is an extremely healthy dish. Naturally nut-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian, it’s full of fiber, vitamins, and nutrients, making it a nutritious option. 

The Best Easy Risotto Recipe

So, what is risotto, anyway? Risotto is sometimes described as being the rice version of mac and cheese. A northern Italian dish, it is made by cooking starchy, short-grain rice with stock or broth until it becomes tender and creamy. It is also often given a boost of flavor with butter and freshly grated Parmesan cheese as you’ll find in this recipe. 

If you’re wondering if risotto is difficult to make, the answer is not at all. A cross between rice and pasta, it comes together on the stovetop for a fairly hands-off recipe. You’ll find that one batch makes enough to feed up to 6 people, making it perfect for family-friendly weeknight meals. You can also easily half or double the recipe to fit your needs. Plus, it stores and reheats well, meaning you can enjoy leftovers throughout the week. 

Simple yet elegant, the tender rice bursts with savory flavor and a satisfying, creamy texture. Warm and satisfying, this Parmesan risotto recipe is the ultimate comfort food that will make you feel like you’re dining at a 5-star restaurant. 

One bite and it will become a new favorite in your recipe lineup. 

Simple Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

This is a staple recipe for a quick weeknight side dish. This garlic parm pasta is similar to cacio e pepe but includes butter and has less black pepper (unless you prefer an abundance for that kick).

It's amazing how you can get such a delicious dish with exceptional flavor out of so few ingredients.

You can also easy modify the recipe and include cooked shredded chicken, fresh bright lemon or try it with roasted garlic. Or just serve as is and pair it with roasted broccoli for a simple vegetarian dinner.

Easy Sour Cream Ranch Dip Recipe

A cool veggie ranch dip that's better than packet mixes but nearly just as easy to make!

It's brimming with fresh flavor, it's supremely creamy, and the added fat in the dip may help better absorb the nutrients of fresh vegetables.

It only requires a handful of ingredients and there are several variations to switch the flavor profile up.

Ways to Use It

And it isn't limited to just use as just a condiment for vegetables. You can use this ranch dip to dunk chicken nuggets or chicken tenders, pizza, baked fries, chips, or crackers.

You could also use it as a spread for a sandwich or over a turkey burger. So many possibilities with this deliciously tasty, abundantly herby dip!

An upgraded coleslaw that's crunchy, fresh and delicious. Made with cabbage, apples, cranberries and almonds and it's all coated in sweet and tangy dressing. It's the perfect side for BBQ's, parties or picnics!

Apple Slaw Recipe

Who doesn't love coleslaw? It's crunchy, it's creamy, it has just enough sweetness, and it goes with just about anything. It's always quick to be polished off.

Here you get the perfect blend of textures and flavors with the mix-in additions of apples, cranberries, almonds and optional cheese. And it's covered in a more wholesome, lighter Greek yogurt dressing (versus a classic coleslaw dressing that has as much as a cup of mayonnaise in it).

This apple slaw recipe has a pleasant mild flavor to it, but if you'd like a more pronounced flavor you can add in a tablespoon of dijon mustard to the dressing.

And if you want to skip a step and go with a shortcut, you can use a coleslaw mix in place of the shredded cabbage and carrots. Also just chop the apples instead of getting paticular and cutting into matchsticks to save time.

I think it's time for pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwiches this week for dinner, don't you? And then of course this homemade coleslaw to go with it!

What is Creamed Spinach?

Creamed spinach is a popular recipe in the Unite states that's commonly served at steakhouses. It is made with an abundance of cooked wilted spinach that's coated in a cream based béchamel sauce and often includes flavorings such as onions and cheese.

It is served as a side dish and can be made with fresh or frozen spinach.

Here we went with all the best upgrades including sticking to fresh spinach for the freshest flavor, and using two kinds of cheese along with a fair dose of cream and butter.

It's very easy to make and one of the best ways to use up an abundance of spinach! It's elegant enough for a holiday gathering yet easy enough for a weeknight meal.

Who knew spinach could be this good?

Fresh Green Beans Almondine

Traditional Green Bean Almondine is good but we like to go beyond simply good and upgrade that to exceptional around here.

In this vegetable side dish you get a delicious fusion of flavors and textures with tender crisp green beans, lively garlic, salty bacon, crunchy almonds, sharp parmesan, and tart lemon.

It turns an ordinary vegetable into something with crowd-pleasing flavor that will be the talk of the meal.

People may very well be saying "I never knew green beans could be so delicious!"

And you'll be happy with the fact that it really is quite easy to make. Try this at your next holiday get together or for a fancy Sunday supper.

Sweet Brown Sugar or Honey Glazed Carrots

You may find these are reminiscent of sweet potatoes but with a fraction of the time effort! And you only need 5 ingredients (plus salt and pepper).

Carrots are sliced on a biased, steamed in a skillet until nearly tender, then sautéed with butter and brown sugar or honey.

It's a simple method that has plenty of leeway for adaptations (variations I'd recommend are adding spices, tossing in dried nuts or dried cranberries, and finishing with other herbs such as chives or dill).

You'll find it to be a quick go-to side dish that will compliment so many of your favorite entrees, they may even take center stage for favorite item on the dinner plate. Even kids will love these!

It's often the simplest things that are the best.

Sautéing Green Beans

I think for many the go to ways to cook green beans are to boil, steam and roast them. But after trying this simple skillet method though you'll probably realize sautéing green beans hasn't gotten the attention and praise it deserves.

I'd say it's easily one of the best ways to make them! Once you try them you may likely be thinking "who knew green beans could be so good?" And you can have them ready in under 15 minutes!

Even the kids might come to enjoy "those green things" on their plate rather than turning their noses to another vegetable.

It's amazing what that lightly browned flavor of sautéing can do, along with a hint of butter. This is such a tasty way to upgrade to fresh green beans!

Flavor Concentrated Balsamic Reduction

The great thing about making this Italian staple at home is that you can make it sweeter as preferred and you can opt to make it thinner or thicker (depending on how long it's reduced).

This balsamic reduction tastes fresher and it begins with an ingredient that is likely already in your pantry.

It's so good you'll want to eat it by the spoonful! It's one of my favorite sauces and it compliments an endless list of dishes. Below are some ideas to get you started.

Ways to Use Balsamic Glaze

• Upgrade a caprese salad with it or another simple green salad, pair it with a good extra virgin olive oil.
• Spoon over toast (caprese or strawberry ricotta which are both pictured here, or bruscetta).
• Drizzle over a finished  pizza.
• Serve over ice cream (my favorite is over ricotta ice cream, vanilla or strawberry is great too).
• Pair with fruit (strawberries, peaches, mangoes, cherries, blackberries, apricots or plums) and sweetened whipped cream.
• Serve over chicken, beef or salmon.
• Top over a pasta salad.
• Upgrade vegetables with it. Steamed, roasted, sauteed, grilled or even raw vegetables.