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–+ servings
A close-up of a vibrant broccoli salad with couscous, dried cranberries, crispy bacon bits, and grated Parmesan cheese.

The Ultimate Veggie Sides Recipes Guide for Beginners

This guide offers simple and delicious vegetable side dishes perfect for beginner cooks. Learn to create colorful, healthy, and satisfying plates that complement any meal.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Calories: 577
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Marinated Broccoli
  • 1.5 medium heads broccoli 4 cups chopped small, spoon-eating size
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp salt cooking salt / kosher salt
Couscous and Plumped Cranberries
  • 1 cup pearl couscous
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Nutty Salami Fry Up
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 100 g salami chopped into 1×1.25cm pieces, or bacon
  • 1/3 cup almonds unsalted, natural (or roasted), chopped into big pieces
  • 1 red onion halved, finely sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
Red Wine Vinegar Honey Dressing
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey sub maple, or 2 tsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 1 tsp lemon zest optional
  • 1/4 tsp salt cooking salt / black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
Serving
  • 1/4 cup+ parmesan finely grated

Equipment

  • Jar
  • Bowl
  • large saucepan
  • Large non-stick pan
  • Serving bowl

Method
 

  1. For the dressing, shake all ingredients in a jar.
  2. Chop broccoli into small pieces, about 1.5cm or smaller. Include the stem pieces.
  3. In a bowl, combine 4 cups of chopped broccoli with 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp of the dressing. Toss and let marinate for 30 minutes.
  4. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cook pearl couscous for 5 minutes. Add dried cranberries for the last 30 seconds. Drain well, return to the saucepan, and toss with 2 tbsp of the dressing. Set aside for 10 minutes.
  5. Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add salami and cook for 1.5 minutes. Add almonds and red onion, cook for 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until salami is golden and onion is softened. Add this mixture to the marinated broccoli and let cool for 10 minutes.
  6. Add the prepared couscous and the remaining dressing to the broccoli mixture. Toss well. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with grated parmesan before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 577kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 19gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 1008mgPotassium: 613mgFiber: 7gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 618IUVitamin C: 84mgCalcium: 176mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This dish keeps for 3 days, even after dressing.

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