10 Healthy Side Dishes | All & About | Your lifestyle guide in Qatar

Whether you’re balancing a rich entree or complementing a light one, these healthy sides add a burst of health to your plate.

1. Baby Vegetable Salad with Cornichons

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Stephanie Spencer

This easy salad gets its creaminess from a lighter mix of Greek yogurt and mayo.
( Recipe: Baby Vegetable Salad with Cornichons )

2. Roasted Cauliflower with Capers

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Stephanie Spencer

Roasting cauliflower with just a little oil intensifies its flavor while still keeping it low in calories.
( Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower with Capers )

3. The New Three-Bean Salad

No canned kidney beans here―and the flavors get even better if you start the salad a day ahead.
( Recipe: The New Three-Bean Salad )

4. Warm Brussels Sprout Leaves with Toasted Garlic and Lemon

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Stephanie Spencer

Hits of garlic and lemon zest give pop to this easy side without adding loads of oil.
( Recipe: Warm Brussels Sprout Leaves with Toasted Garlic and Lemon )

5. Mashed Potatoes and Parsnips with Crisp Root Vegetable Strips

Photo by Alex Farnum; written by Stephanie Spencer

No need to toss those peels in the compost. Roast them with sage leaves and a little oil, and you’ve got a crisp and ingenious topping. In the mash, we replaced butter with the coconut spread, which brings out the parsnips’ sweetness.
( Recipe: Mashed Potatoes and Parsnips with Crisp Root Vegetable Strips )

6. Roasted Asparagus

Roasting intensifies the woodsy flavor of asparagus. A thin crust of earthy parmesan cheese adds a bit of crunch.
( Recipe: Roasted Asparagus )

7. Fresh Peas with Mint and Green Onions

Photo by Leigh Beisch; written by Stephanie Spencer

The combination of fresh peas and mint yields a harmonious and nutritional side dish. Peas are in the legume family, and these vegetables are typically high in protein and fiber, yet low in fat and cholesterol.
( Recipe: Fresh Peas with Mint and Green Onions )

8. Tomato Salad with Chile and Lime

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Stephanie Spencer

This salad pleasantly reminds us of fresh salsa, and wouldn’t be out of place on a Mexican-themed buffet or on the table with beef fajitas or pork or shrimp tacos.
( Recipe: Tomato Salad with Chile and Lime )

9. Grilled Corn Poblano Salad with Chipotle Vinaigrette

Photo by Lisa Romerein; written by Stephanie Spencer

Fresh corn and heart-healthy avocados make this a great side to accompany lean grilled meats.
( Recipe: Grilled Corn Poblano Salad with Chipotle Vinaigrette )