Simple Summer Suppers, Part 4 of 10 (Scrumptious Sides)

You know how sometimes a supporting actor totally steals the show? Think Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan. (Am I old?)

Well, that happened with my dinners tonight & last night. I had these lovely entrees planned, and they were just dandy. BUT, the side dishes were what really rocked my world.

The first is hardly an innovation, but wait for it -- the second is actually my own invention!

Monday, I pan-grilled lime-marinated boneless pork chops. With that came whole wheat cous cous with fresh chopped cilantro. Both just fine. But the show-stealer:

Oven-roasted zucchini and summer squash

• Now, I grant you - these would have been better on the grill, but it was raining!

• Just a little EVOO and S&P. 
• I had cut them in fairly large chunks. 
• Put them in a 450 oven and actually sort of forgot about them. 
• I think they were in there for a good half hour. 

Tonight, oh tonight. I had one of those eureka dishes. After trying new recipes from books & blogs and making up your own ... some of them turn out okay, some belly-flop. You may start to feel discouraged. Then there's one that keeps you going. Last night, I made that dish, but I didn't know it at the time. My first bite tonight was positive affirmation at its finest. (And it went darn well with a Jacob's Creek Chardonnay.)

White bean, Feta & Mint salad

• 1 can white navy beans, drained & rinsed
• 1/2 a carton grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1/3 block reduced fat feta, cubed
• S&P, ~1 tbsp EVOO, few dashes red wine vinegar
• ~1/2 dozen mint leaves, chiffonade

The flavors were just lovely together. I'm most proud that I didn't "over-mint" - as I tend to do!

And, as you can see, it's quite pretty. I'd love to show it to you in some fancy serving bowl. However, I love more to mix ingredients in Gladware - make, store & serve all in one bowl --- that works just great for home, thanks!