Make Side Dishes Fancy In a Flash
Life's busy, but that doesn't mean you must sacrifice the little extras that turn average meals into great ones. When comfort food cravings hit, use these time-saving hacks to create masterpieces in minutes, not hours.
Shortcut #1: Loaded Baked Potato Hack (5-7 minutes)
Forget the oven! A microwave can easily transform a raw potato into perfectly tender spuds ready for a loaded baked potato.
Scrub and pierce a russet potato. Wrap potato in a wet paper towel to lock in moisture, then zap it high for 4-5 minutes. Flip and give it another 3-4 minutes. Slice open, fluff the insides, and top it with whatever you have handy. Tasty toppings you probably have nearby: butter, salt, pepper, sriracha, or hot sauce. Don’t have sour cream? Plain Greek Yogurt works well as a substitute. To add protein and make it a complete meal, sprinkle crunchy toasted lentils in Barbecue or Cheddah flavor, (or both!). Voila! Instant satisfaction.
Shortcut #2: Mac N Cheese Topped with Crunchy Cheddah-flavored Lentil Bits
Upgrade your boxed mac and cheese dinner with out-of-the-box mix-ins. Everyone looks forward to the crispy baked bits at the edges of the casserole tray, which are usually accomplished by adding bread crumbs to the top before baking. Why not substitute those empty calories for more nutritious crunchy lentils. Easily add that homemade crunchy savory element with the addition of Cheddah crunchy toasted lentils. Simply sprinkle them on top before serving!
Shortcut #3: Steamed Green Beans with Crunchy Toasted Lentils
- Steam the beans: Fill a steamer basket with water and bring to a boil. Add green beans and steam for 5-7 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Many green beans come pre-washed and ready to eat. All they need is 2-3 minutes in the microwave, steaming the beans directly in the microwave-safe bag they came in (or a covered in a bowl with a little extra water).
- Drizzle the beans with your favorite pre-made dressing, or:
- Assemble and serve: Divide steamed green beans among plates. Drizzle with dressing, and top with your favorite flavor of crunchy toasted lentils – Peri-Peri, Barbecue, or Cheddah. Enjoy!
With these shortcuts, you're just minutes away from elevating everyday side dishes that'll make your taste buds (and your schedule) sing. Now get creative, experiment with your own toppings, and remember, a little ingenuity goes a long way in the kitchen!