I love side dishes and will often order sides instead of an entree when I’m eating out. Even before I shifted to a vegetarian diet, it was the sides that I wanted seconds of instead of the main dish. When done right, they really can be the star of the show.
When I was invited to a cookbook launch at Melissa’s Produce for Rick Rodger’s new cookbook The Big Book of Sides, I RSVP’d very quickly. Rick has authored over 40 cookbooks and has contributed his expertise to many others. He is an entertaining speaker who knows what he’s doing in the kitchen. The recipes that I sampled were delicious!
The large book has something for everyone. I could easily pick it up looking for a single recipe and find myself an hour later still reading it with sticky notes marking everything I want to try. Yes, I’ve done this.
The book is organized very well. The topical chapters are arranged by ingredient type (vegetables, beans, pasta, grains, bread…). There are also sample menu plans that make it easy to put together a balanced and memorable meal.
The Big Book of Sides will be especially helpful during the holidays for meals at home and for taking to potlucks with family and friends, but these side dishes will definitely be enjoyed all year long.
The Big Book of Sides
More than 450 Recipes for the Best Vegetables, Grains, Salads, Breads, Sauces, and More
by Rick Rodgers
isbn 978-0345548184
Pub. date 10/28/14
Synopsis: “Side dishes make the meal. Think about it: What’s a burger without fries, turkey without stuffing, or barbecue without coleslaw, baked beans, or macaroni and cheese—or all three? The Big Book of Sides contains more than 450 delicious recipes to complement any dish. Award-winning cooking teacher and author Rick Rodgers has carefully compiled a variety of wonderful options, from traditional to inspired, Americana to ethnic, Southern fare to California cuisine. Sections include “Eat Your Vegetables,” “From the Root Cellar,” “A Hill of Beans,” “Righteous Rice and Great Grains,” and “Pasta and Friends.””
rebecca day says
thanks for the giveaway
Mary Mac says
Would love to add this great cookbook to my library.
Lisa says
I’d love a new cookbook!!
katklaw777 says
Everything looks amazing.
I know I would use it often…thanks!
Saundra M says
I would love this cookbook. Lots of good stuff to cook in there.
gigi says
We don’t eat meat, so we’re all about the sides….and these look fantastic!! 450 recipes!!? I’m sold…and the green bean/mushroom casserole….ahh heaven!
Stephanie Bondlow says
You are so lucky you got to meet him! He is a culinary genius. I bet that food was scrumptious.
Tina W says
An opportunity to meet him, plus it’s at the Melissa’s produce headquarters? That sounds like a dream come true!
Karen says
Would love to add this to my recipe book collection.
Melissa Shirley says
Thanks for the chance.
Jeffrey says
Sounds like a fun book to make receipes from.
Amy Z. says
I’d love to try out these recipes.
Karen Gray says
Wow, what a massive book of recipes. I’m thinking anybody could find dozens of things they’d like in there.
Tandi Cortez-Rios says
Lots of delicious recipes!
Athena says
I cook everything from scratch but as a vegetarian find coming up with side dishes very hard thing to do. What do you serve as a side to veggies, more veggies? I’d love to give this book a try
betty wojnar says
I need some new side options
Katherine Riley says
This would be a great cookbook to add to the library.
Jason says
Great Prize.
Angela W says
I would love to win this, thanks for the chance!
ger says
The food looks delicious!
cynthia says
i would love to win this
toddy says
Those recipes look so good. love to have this
Merry says
I love trying new recipes
Paula Myers says
I would love to win this!
gala says
very interesting book, will help to update my cooking routine
Shelton says
Where can I get a copy?
Jen F says
I bet there are some great, tasty side dishes listed in here!
xty cruz says
If I win I’d give this to a friend
Kathy Pease says
This looks great! Thanks so much for the chance :)
Anne says
The meat may get the spotlight, but for me, a good meal is all about the sides! Bring ’em on, I say. Great concept for a cookbook.
Ed says
I would like to read the work of Rick Rodgers!
Candie L says
With the winter weather on the way, I would love a cook book to have to keep me busy on winter days when cooped up in the house. Thank you
Stephanie says
That’s a really big book of side dishes. They look really yummy!
Laura says
I’d love this!
Sabine B says
I am always looking for new idea… Thank you!
Allison says
This looks awesome for me!
LeAnn Knott says
Want to try some of these recipes. So many of the cookbook take ingredients that I don’t buy. These look pretty normal with some twists!
Jimmy Rector says
nice prize
trixx says
This recipe book sounds amazing. I’d love to add it to my collection!
Lisa L says
It’s totally true that it’s the side dishes that make the meal! I’d love to win this!
Buddy Garrett says
This would be great for the holidays.