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Cookbook Launch for The Big Book of Sides by Rick Rodgers

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The Big Book of Sides by Rick Rodgers

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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 Big Book of Sides by Rick Rodgers

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.””

The Big Book of Sides by Rick Rodgers

Rick Rodgers and Me

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. 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!

  7. Stephanie Bondlow says

    You are so lucky you got to meet him! He is a culinary genius. I bet that food was scrumptious.

  8. Tina W says

    An opportunity to meet him, plus it’s at the Melissa’s produce headquarters? That sounds like a dream come true!

  13. Karen Gray says

    Wow, what a massive book of recipes. I’m thinking anybody could find dozens of things they’d like in there.

  15. 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

  30. 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.

  32. 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

  37. 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!