Simple sides

Looking for an easy dish to complement your favorite entre? Try one of these.

Add pizzazz to everyday vegetables with these creative touches. Glazes, sauces, and a quick saute with fresh ingredients take carrots, green beans, and beets to new heights. The simple flavors and common ingredients allow them to pair easily with a variety of family favorites.

CYNTHIA ANN BRISCOE

GINGERED GREEN BEANS

MAKES 6 SERVINGS

PREP: 10 MIN., COOK: 10 MIN.

BRING 3 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in bouillon cube until dissolved. Add green beans, and cook 4 to 6 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain.

MELT butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger; saute 2 minutes. Add beans, salt, and pepper; saute 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle with pecans. Garnish, if desired.

CAROL NOBLE BURGAW, NORTH CAROLINA

NOTE: For testing purposes only, we used Knorr bouillon cubes.

GLAZED CARROTS

WITH BACON AND ONION

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

COOK carrots in boiling water to cover in a large saucepan 15 minutes or until carrots are tender; drain.

COOK bacon in a skillet until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon; set aside. SAUTE onion in reserved drippings over medium-high heat 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in brown sugar, pepper, and carrots. Cook, stirring often, 5 minutes or until carrots are glazed and thoroughly heated.

TRANSFER carrots to a serving dish, and sprinkle with crumbled bacon.

COME ALLEN ABILENE, TEXAS

WINTER BEETS

MAKES 8 SERVINGS

PREP: 5 MIN., COOK: 8 MIN.

COMBINE sugar and flour in a heavy saucepan; whisk in vinegar and cup water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and boil, whisking constantly, I minute or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in salt and butter.

STIR beets into sugar mixture, and cook over low heat 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring often. Serve immediately. Or let cool, and spoon beet mixture into an airtight container; chill 8 hours. CLAIRIECE HUMPHREY CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Nov 2002
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