These two side dishes are a delicious accompaniment to any meat entree, or just serve them with some baked bread as a meal.
Smashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
- Two pounds of small red potatoes
- 1/4 cup of sour cream
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
Procedure:
- Cut the potatoes in fourths and leave the skins on, however cut off any bad spots or eyes.
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and add water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let the potatoes cook for 10 to 15 minutes until tender.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot off the heat.
- Add the sour cream, milk, butter, salt and pepper to the pot and mash. Serve warm.
These smashed potatoes will look just like restaurant smashed potatoes. They are creamy enough that they do not need to be served with extra butter or gravy, although you certainly may do so. If you want to add some garlic, consider mixing in minced garlic during the mashing, or for a smoother taste, sprinkle garlic salt in the pot before mashing.
Bacon-Almond Green Beans
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds of fresh green beans, prepared
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 1/4 teaspoons of soy sauce
- 5 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Handful of toasted, sliced almonds
Procedure:
- Trim the ends off green beans and cut them into 1 1/2 inch pieces.
- Place the prepared green beans into a pan and cover them with water. Bring the beans to a boil and continue to cook them on a low boil for about 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Then drain the beans and set them aside in a covered dish to keep them warm.
- Return the pan to the stove. With the heat on medium, add the butter. Once the butter has melted, stir in the brown sugar, soy suace, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cook for about one minute until the sugar dissolves, and watch it carefully so that the sauce does not burn.
- Return the green beans to the skillet and mix them with the sauce. Cook and stir for a few minutes.
- Mix in the bacon and almonds.
- Serve the Bacon-Almond Green Beans with a slotted spoon.
Smashed Potatoes and Bacon-Almond Green Beans go perfectly with steak, pork chops, grilled chicken or even burgers. Or as a meatless option, change the bacon to vegetarian bacon-flavored bits and serve the two sides as a meal with garlic cheese bread on the side.
