10 Easy and Delish Side Dish Recipes

A side dish is usually a small portion of your preferred choice of item served with the main course. If you have friends coming over for dinner or lunch, the main course occupies your prime thoughts. But the trick lies in having an equal number of main course and side dishes to transform the whole occasion into a well-balanced feast perfectly satisfying your five senses. A memorable menu is incomplete without the sensational side it comes with. Choosing a side dish is equally important. Your side dish should be able to balance the flavours perfectly. Make your dinner nights much better with our recipes brought just for you.

Quick Side Dish Recipes

It is important that as the host you are available to attend to your guests when they are at home. Choose dishes that take less time and energy so that you are free to mingle around with guests. Get-togethers or family meals are supposed to be a relaxed affair where you can relax and unwind yourself with good food and great conversations. Today we will share with you 10 different recipes which are easy to make and rich in taste. Be ready to revel in the compliments that your guests are sure to shower on you.

1. Indian Masala Chicken

This is one of the popular side dish recipes with chicken.

Ingredients 

• Boneless Chicken: 500 gms
• Yoghurt: 1 cup
• Lemon Juice: 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder: 1 tsp
• Butter: 6 tbsp
• Garam Masala Powder: 2 tsp (divided)
• Cumin Powder: 1 tsp
• Onion: 1 large chopped
• Jalapenos: 2 chopped
• Cinnamon stick: 1 inch
• Garlic: 3
• Ginger: 1 tbsp
• Salt: as per taste
• Tomatoes: 1 big chopped
• Heavy Cream: ½ cup
• Red chilli powder: 1 tsp
• Coriander leaves: 2 tbsp

Method 

• Wash the chicken thoroughly under running water. Drain off excess water and dry using a kitchen towel.
• Marinate the chicken with lemon juice, yoghurt, turmeric, cumin powder and 1 tsp garam masala powder for 20 mins.
• Heat a kadai over medium-flame and add 2 tbsp of butter. Add the marinated chicken in batches and saute for about 2 mins on each side. Take them off and keep on a plate.
• Heat 2 tbsp of butter to the kadai and add the onions. Fry till translucent in colour.
• Add cinnamon, garlic, ginger, red chilli powder, salt and tomatoes to the onions and continue frying them on medium heat. Keep stirring the masala until the oil gets separated.
• Add the cream and the remaining butter.
• Garnish it with coriander leaves and serve with steaming hot basmati rice or phulkas.

Cooking Time: 50 mins

2. Aloo Gobi with a twist

Make your vegetables more enjoyable with this spicy and tangy aloo gobi recipe.

Ingredients 

• Vegetable Oil: 2 tsp
• Red chilli: cut into small pieces
• Cloves: 2 minced
• Ginger: 1 tbsp
• Garam Masala: 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder: ½ tsp
• Potatoes: 2 peeled and cut into squares
• Cauliflower: 1 head cut into small florets
• Vegetable-broth: 1 cup
• Salt: to taste
• Coriander leaves: 2 tbsp
• Lemon Juice: 1 tsp

Method 

• Heat oil in a kadai. Add the chopped red chilli, garlic and ginger. Fry till the raw smell disappears.
• Add the garam masala and turmeric powder. Give everything a nice stir.
• Add the potatoes, cauliflower florets and salt. Mix everything in the kadai nicely so that the masala coats the vegetables evenly.
• Add the vegetable stock and cover the kadai with a lid.
• Let it simmer for almost 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle coriander leaves on top and serve hot with rotis or parathas.

Cooking Time: 25 mins

3. Creamy Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Best side dish recipes with potato on a wintery night.

Ingredients 

• Potatoes: 3 large
• Cream Cheese: 100 gms, cut into small blocks
• Milk: ½ cup
• Pepper powder: as per taste
• Salt: as per taste
• Chives: 1 tbsp chopped

Method 

• Wash the potatoes thoroughly to clean off the dirt and grit. Drain off the excess water.
• Heat a pot of water with salt. Once the water comes to a boil, add the potatoes and let it cook over low flame for 20 minutes or until soft.
• Remove and peel off the skin. Add cream cheese blocks and mash the potatoes using a potato masher.
• Heat milk in a saucepan on low temperature. Once it is warm add the butter.
• Pour this mixture on the mashed potatoes. Add salt and pepper and whisk everything nicely.
• The texture should be soft and creamy.
• Garnish with fresh chives and serve with your favourite steak.

Cooking Time: 20 mins

4. Baked Carrot and Grapes Indian style

This fusion recipe bursting with flavours will surely lighten up your mood any time of the day.

Ingredients 

• Red Seedless Grapes: 1 cup
• Baby Carrots: 1 cup
• Red Onion: 1 medium, diced
• Olive Oil: 2 tbsp
• Salt: as per taste
• Pepper Powder: as per taste
• Cumin Seeds: 1 tsp

Method 

• Wash the carrots and grapes thoroughly with water.
• Drain off excess water and dry them using kitchen towels.
• Preheat oven to 370F for 10 mins.
• Mix all the ingredients in a baking tray and bake it for bake for about 10-15 mins till the carrots have softened and the onions have turned translucent.
• Serve hot.

Cooking Time: 20 mins

5. Cheesy Mexican Cauliflower Rice

One of the best side dish recipes with rice for a quick party.

Ingredients 

• Olive Oil: 3 tbsp
• Minced Garlic: 2
• Chopped Onion: 1 medium
• Oregano: 1tsp dried
• Cumin seeds: ½ tsp
• Cauliflower: 1 cup grated
• Salt: as per taste
• Pepper powder: as per taste
• Tomato paste: 1 tbsp
• Shredded grilled chicken: 2 cups
• Black beans: 1 cup
• Corn kernels: 1 cup
• Chopped tomatoes: 1 cup
• Jalapenos: 2 chopped
• Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup
• Coriander leaves: 1 tbsp

Method 

• Heat oil in a kadai and put in the onions. Cook till soft.
• Add cumin seeds, garlic and oregano. Stir till they are fragrant and the raw smell from garlic goes off.
• Add pre-dried grated cauliflower and stir.
• Add the remaining ingredients except for the coriander leaves.
• Cook on medium flame.
• Reduce heat and sprinkle the cheese. Cover the pan with a lid for the cheese to melt.
• Remove and serve garnished with coriander leaves.

Cooking Time: 25 mins

6. Buttery Mushroom

The perfect side dish, mushroom recipes are always a hit!

Ingredients 

• Garlic herb butter: 2 tbsp
• Olive Oil: 1 tbsp
• Mushrooms: 1 cup sliced
• Minced garlic: 5 cloves
• Stock: 1 cup
• Salt: as required

Method 

• Heat oil in a pan and add 1 tbsp butter.
• When the oil is smoking, add the mushrooms and let them turn a little brown.
• Add the garlic and the remaining butter. Give everything a quick mix taking care not to burn the garlic.
• Add the stock and cook till the water is completely absorbed.
• Add the salt as per your taste.
• Serve it warm.

Cooking Time: 15 mins

7. Paneer Butter Masala

One of the most comfortable and easy side dish recipes; Indian with a contemporary sweet twist added to its flavours.

Ingredients 

• Oil: 1 tbsp
• Paneer Cubes: 2 cups
• Salt: as per taste
• Red Chilli Powder: ½ tsp
• Butter: 1 ½ tbsp
• Cloves: 3
• Cinnamon: 1-inch stick
• Green Cardamom: 3
• Ginger paste: ¾ tsp
• Garlic paste: ¾ tsp
• Onion: 1 cup chopped
• Tomatoes: 1 ½ cup finely chopped
• Garam Masala: ½ tsp
• Coriander Powder: 1 tsp
• Bay leaf: 1
• Cashew nuts: 10 pieces
• Kasuri Methi: ½ tsp
• Cream: ½ cup
• Coriander leaves: 2 tbsp

Method 

• Heat some oil in a kadai and fry onions till they turn translucent.
• Add the tomatoes and salt. Once it turns mushy, add the garam masala, cashew nuts, coriander powder, and red chilli powder.
• Mix it nicely and let it cool.
• Transfer the contents to a blender and blend it smoothly adding water it required.
• Heat another pan and add butter to it. Put in the cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and bay leaf.
• Stir them till the fragrance is released.
• Add the blended mixture to this oil and adjust seasoning.
• To add a sweet twist to this dish, you can add a little sugar.
• Pour in a little water to prevent the masala from getting burnt.
• Once the oil rises to the top add the paneer cubes and simmer for about 5 mins.
• Remove and garnish with coriander leaves and fresh cream.
• This dish goes great with steamed basmati rice or fluffy chapatis. A spoon of ghee added to this dish would take it to another level altogether.

Cooking Time: Approximately 40 – 45 mins.

8. Desi Pepper Chicken

Make your weekday dinners easier with this fiery chicken recipe.

Ingredients:

• Onion: 1 cup finely chopped
• Ginger paste: ¾ tsp
• Garlic Paste: ¾ tsp
• Tomatoes: 1 cup
• Salt: as required
• Pepper powder: 1 tsp or as required
• Cloves: 3
• Cardamom: 3
• Cinnamon: 1-inch stick
• Curry Leaves: a handful
• Red Chilli Powder
• Garam Masala:
• Oil: 3 tbsp
• Cumin seeds: ½ tsp
• Chicken: 500 gms

Method: 

• Wash the chicken thoroughly under water.
• Drain excess water and dry them completely with kitchen towels.
• Marinate the chicken pieces with half ginger and half garlic paste. Set it aside for till you prepare the masala for it.
• Heat kadai and add the oil in it. Add the cumin, clove, cardamom and cinnamon stick to it and let them crackle.
• Add the curry leaves and the leftover ginger and garlic paste. Saute them till the raw smell of garlic goes off.
• Add onions and fry until they turn translucent and golden.
• Next, add the tomatoes and salt. Fry them till the tomatoes are mushy.
• Add the red chilli powder, peppercorn powder and garam masala.
• Cook for 2 minutes or until the oil separates.
• Time to add the chicken pieces now.
• Give everything in the kadai a nice mix and keep stirring so that the chicken doesn’t stick to the bottom of the kadai.
• If you prefer a gravy, add a little water and let the chicken cook in its own juice. Keep it covered and cook till the chicken pieces are tender.
• For a drier version, cook with the lid open and let the moisture from the masala and chicken pieces evaporate.
• Garnish with a few curry leaves on top.
• It goes great with plain rice or crispy and crunch parathas.

Cooking Time: Approximately 40 mins.

9. Okra Fry

Try this simple, healthy and yet delicious recipe on your lazy afternoons.

Ingredients 

• Bhindi/Okra/Lady’s Finger: 500 gms
• Chopped Onion: 1 small finely chopped
• Vegetable Oil: 3 tbsp
• Cumin Seeds: ½ tsp
• Ginger paste: 1 tsp
• Garlic: 2 cloves, finely minced
• Salt: to taste
• Red chilli: 1 chopped finely
• Turmeric: a pinch

Method 

• Wash the okra under running water thoroughly to remove any grit or dirt.
• Drain excess water and dry them thoroughly using a kitchen towel. Cut them into rounds.
• Heat a kadai and add 2 tbsp oil in it. Add the cumin seeds and wait till the crackling stops.
• Add the chopped onions and fry till they are soft and take a golden colour.
• Add the ginger, garlic, minced chilli and salt.
• Once the raw smell of the ginger and garlic go, add the remaining oil and the okra pieces to it.
• Sauté for about 5 mins or till the okra pieces look dry and get a crispy texture.
• Remove from heat and serve hot with rice or parathas.

Cooking Time: 20 mins

10. Baked Eggplant with Oregano

This recipe stands out on its own and is very good for your health.

Ingredients 

• Eggplant: 1 large
• Olive Oil: ¼ cup and as required to drizzle
• Garlic: 6 large cloves minced
• Pepper Powder: ½ tsp
• Carrot: 1 chopped
• Capsicum: 1 cup chopped
• Tomatoes: 1 cup canned
• Chick Peas: 1 cup canned
• Onion: 1 large chopped
• Oregano: 1 tsp dried
• Parsley: 1 tbsp for garnishing
• Bay Leaf: 2
• Coriander Powder: 1 tsp
• Salt: to taste

Method 

• Wash the eggplant under running water.
• Drain off excess water and dry the eggplant pieces using a kitchen towel.
• Cut them into medium sized squares.
• Preheat the oven to 400 F.
• Marinate the eggplant with salt and keep aside for 30 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry.
• In a large pan, heat olive oil. Add onions, capsicum, carrots. Cook briefly for about 2 mins.
• Add salt, oregano, bay leaf and garlic. Cook until the garlic’s raw smell disappears.
• Next, add the eggplant, tomatoes and chickpeas and the chickpea stock.
• Bring it to a boil. Stir constantly.
• Transfer into a baking tray and put it in the oven.
• Cook for another 45 mins, until the eggplants become soft. Keep checking at intervals and pour little water if you feel the liquid has dried up.
• Once it is ready, drizzle a generous amount of olive oil and serve at room temperature.

Cooking Time: 1 hour

The side dish is like a glue that holds all your meals together. Follow the recipes mentioned in this article and whip up great sides like a pro!

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