Early on in this parenting gig I issued some dinner rules, just a few simple guidelines to maintain a semblance of calm and cooperation at the table. Through the years I’ve repeated them so many times that they have become almost a dinner table mantra now. Everyone Eats Together (so no, you can’t read a book at the table, plates don’t make their way to the couch, and I do want to hear all about your day). Only Compliments to the Chef (if you don’t like it, don’t eat it, but don’t voice it either – the mountain of creamed spinach I scoop into the garbage later speaks volumes on its own). Everyone Cleans Up (clear your place, please clear your place, for the love of all that is holy clear your place). For the most part, it works for us.
Recently, much to my surprise, the kids added a clause of their own to the dinner rules. Side Dishes Are Not Optional. And they are serious about it too. The “What’s for dinner?” question is immediately followed now by “And what’s the side dish?” Apparently the side dishes are what distinguish dinner from lunch. It doesn’t feel like dinner if there’s no side dish, my six year old asserts, and the others nod their heads in agreement.
So, on behalf of my die hard side dish lovers, I bring you Carrot Ginger Rice with Fresh Mint. It’s not fussy, but it packs a lot of flavor. I think it can pass for sophisticated (mint always adds a few extra points for me), but the kids will eat it too. Add it to the Thanksgiving lineup or pair it with a piece of meat or fish for a bona fide dinner in less than an hour.
This Carrot Ginger Rice dish is simplified with Libby’s sliced carrots, which cut the cook time in half and taste great too. Scroll down to enter a giveaway from Libby’s for food products and a shiny new KitchenAid Slow Cooker.
Carrot Ginger Rice with Fresh Mint + Giveaway
Ingredients
Instructions
Giveaway Info + Requirements
- One Winner will Receive a Libby’s Prize Pack and 6 Qt. KitchenAid Slow Cooker
- To enter, Leave a Comment on this blog post and tell me what your favorite side dishes are.
- Contest ends November 20, 2014 at 11:59 P.M. MST.
- Open to US States only.
- Winner will be chosen via random.org and will have 3 days to respond before disqualified and a new winner chosen.
Libby’s is hosting its Cansgiving sweepstakes through November 19. Participants must post a photo of what they are thankful for on Twitter, Instagram or Libby’s Table Facebook page using the hashtag #Cansgiving for the chance to win a $350 grocery gift card toward their Thanksgiving meals. You can view the full rules at www.getbacktothetable.com/
This post was sponsored by Libby’s Fruits and Vegetables. All opinions are my own.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Beautiful and so simple! My favorite side dish is really just a baked purple sweet potato with raw coconut butter and cinnamon!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Rebecca. I’ve never had a purple sweet potato! I’m definitely going to look for one now – sweet potatoes are on my list of favorites too!
Katrina says
I sincerely love the no complaints to the chef rule! I think that would make my dinner life! Stealing!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Definitely steal it – it makes dinner more enjoyable for sure!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
None fussy + loads of flavor sounds like a winner of a side dish to me!
Jen says
I love roasted veggies!
HS says
My favorite is bacon green beans.
Salome says
My favourite side dish is coconut rice and green pigeon peas. Life is not worth living without pigeon peas! So sweet and can be eaten on its own as a snack.
somethewiser@gmail.com says
I don’t even know what pigeon peas are! I’ll have to check this out!
Julie says
Welll… my REAL favorite is my mother’s scalloped potatoes.
But really – who’s allowed to eat those anymore?
So the favorite I say in public is Brussels sprouts roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Edie says
Oven roasted tri color potatoes with rosemary, salt and pepper. Simple, beautiful and delicious.
Melissa says
I love making salsas and also red cabbage with peanuts, lime and cilantro!
Lynn says
My favorite side dish is butternut squash risotto.
Leslie says
Cornbread casserole
felicia says
My favorite side dish is roasted veggies.
Janet says
I love any kind of baked squash. I am a minalmist with my cooking so no add-ins or extras just the squash. YUM!
Brenda says
I am with the kids, a meal feels more complete with a side dish. Squash and greenbeans are my favorites.
Shak says
Lovely dish, my favorite hands down is Mashed potatoes 🙂
Kristen says
My favorite side dish is roasted Brussels sprout with bacon hash.
Susan Christy says
My favorite sides are candied yams and crockpot corn.
tammigirl says
My favorite side dishes are fried potatoes, scalloped potatoes, roasted corn, sweet potatoes, – oh my gosh, there are too many great side dishes I love.
Carolyn G says
I am a sucker for mashed potatoes and gravy and green bean casserole
Krissie says
My two favorite side dishes are garlic & spinach quinoa and garlic mashed potatoes!
Linda says
My favorite side is the wonderful sweet potato casserole that my SIL makes every year…and then it’s mashed potatoes. 🙂
Bre says
I’d have to say an old favorite is risotto with peas and a new is lentils with sweet potatoes.
Nicole-Lynn says
My favorite side dish is honey glazed carrots! Delicious! Thanks for the opportunity!
Seasidesmitten@aol.com
Cindy Aiton says
Roasted vegetables, corn & black bean salad, sweet potato casserole, corn on the cob with herb butter… the list goes on. 🙂
Brindy Adams says
I would love a new crock pot, my 17 year old one has a crack in it…ready to split at any moment!
Brindy Adams says
Oh, and my favorite side dish would have to be homemade rolls and mashed & potatoes & gravy. 🙂
Lyndsey says
These days we’re loving steamed veggies with cheese sauce. Rice with carrots and mint is not something I would have thought of. We’ll be trying this recipe soon. I have a ton of mint growing in my backyard.