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shadows4's avatar
shadows4
Explorer III
Aug 05, 2015

A little help with some side dishes please.

Currently on a camping trip with three other couples. We need some suggestions for side dishes. Quick and easy would be a plus. Thanks.
  • magnus, I love that salad with some thinly sliced red onions and some chopped walnuts.
  • Wilted spinach salad.

    Fry up a couple of pieces of bacon. Crumble and set aside.

    While the bacon is cooking:
    Wash a bag of fresh spinach and put in a bowl.

    Chop hard boiled eggs, carrots, celery, onions or whatever else you like and add to the spinach.

    To make the dressing heat the skillet with the bacon grease on low and add 2 Tbsp vinegar and 2 Tbsp of sugar to taste.

    Pour over top of the spinach while warm and toss. Add the crumbled bacon to the top.
  • baked potatoes and corn on the grill wrapped in aluminum foil.
    Hawaiian "baked beans" in skillet: bacon, onion, 1 can crushed pineapple, beans. Cook bacon, saute onion, add beans and pineapple and cook about half an hour.
    We also like Uncle Ben's Ready Rice Pilaf. Just heat in microwave 90 seconds.
  • Corn salad is really easy. I use fresh, roasted on the grill, but you can also use frozen. Add ripe red tomatoes, finely chopped red onions, cilantro or parsley if someone hates cilantro. Dressing is a vinaigrette, 1-2 TBS red wine or champagne vinegar to 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste.

    Proportions vary, depending on how many you are feeding. I've used 5 ears of corn to a pound of tomatoes, a small red onion, and a good handful of cilantro for a bowl to take for a pot luck.

    You can make the salad ahead of time and add the dressing later. Rarely have leftovers.

    Also you can change it up with whatever ingredients are freshest, using baby tomatoes, lime juice or a different vinegar, basil or thyme instead of cilantro...
  • 1. SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI on the grill; cut into thin length-wise slices, brush with some soy sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper. YUMMY!

    2. SMASHED POTATOES; take small new potatoes and boil them until done. Don't peel. After 15 minutes, remove from pan and dry completely. Place some butter and olive oil in a heavy pan such as cast iron (I use my DO), and place potatoes in one at a time. Use a heavy object to "smash" them down in the oil and fry until crisp. Don't crowd the pan, but continue until all the potatoes are crispy. Add sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, etc. to top them.

    3. GRILLED ASPARAGUS. Cut the tough ends off asparagus and place remaining asparagus in a gallon size baggie. Put 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 cloves of finely minced garlic or garlic powder, salt and pepper and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Dump on grill (watch for flares) and grill until the asparagus begins to crisp.

    4. GRILLED GREEN BEANS. Do the above using green beans instead of asparagus, just cut ends and string them.

    5. BAKED POTATO SALAD. Cut potatoes into chunks and boil until done, drain. Add sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, bacon bits, and mix well. Refrigerate until chilled.

    Hope these give you some ideas.