quick 'starch' sides

Hi,

I always have such a problem with quick starch sides for during the week - looking for suggestions.

We'll eat those Lipton Pasta/rice sides, couscous, a knish, or if we have more time red potatoes on the grill, etc.

Anyone have any ideas for a quick starch side? I'm going to pick up a bag of frozen french fries to broil in the oven so they are a bit healthier... but I'm at a loss because I feel like we're constantly having those pasta/rice sides. Cooking a real potato is always a pain as it's all the prep plus 10 minutes in the microwave then 10 minutes on the grill, etc.

Is there some major group I'm missing?

Thanks!

Re: quick 'starch' sides

We like the Dr. Praeger pancakes - they come in potato, sweet potato, spinach and broccoli and are super easy to make. You can find them in the frozen foods by either the kosher or vegetarian products.

Or, how about perogies?

Re: quick 'starch' sides

Our starch sides are usually one of these:

instant mashed
instant rice
egg noodles
french fries
mac n cheese
roasted red potatoes
baked potatoes (you can microwave these puppies to save time)

Re: quick 'starch' sides

you can also get the zip and steam bags for the potatoes. They come out soooo good and it is only about 5 mins in the microwave!

Re: quick 'starch' sides

When I 'need' a starch quick, I rely on frozen corn or a good loaf of bread. I also usually have a box of Texas Toast in the fridge in case I don't have time to hit up the store for bread. Bisquick biscuits are good too - and only take 10 minutes or so. Pasta salad is a quick one. Mashed potatoes only take a half hour if you cut the potatoes really small. Sometimes if it's going to be a tight week, I will make a potato salad on Sunday to use during the week.

If I have at least 30 minutes I will make my own seasoned rice - which I think is way better than the boxed stuff. Take finely chopped onion and throw it in an enamal saucepan with a little butter and olive oil (just enough to keep the butter from burning). Once onions are just starting to get soft, toss in a handful of Orzo (or if you don't have it you can break up some spaghetti into little pieces). The pasta will get coated and begin to toast. Add 2 cups of chicken stock (or canned chicken broth) and a teaspoon of chicken paste (boullion/soup starter) and bring to a boil. As soon as it boils, pour in a cup of rice, stir, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is cooked through.

That's a really basic recipe. If you want beef - replace the chicken stock and boullion with beef. You can toast slivered almonds with the pasta and add shredded carrots and/or frozen peas 10 minutes before cooking is done. It's very flexible.

Message edited 8/19/2009 9:19:46 AM.

Re: quick 'starch' sides

Thanks everyone.

At the Supermarket yesterday I got a bag of frozen potato pancakes and some pierogies so that should mix it up a bit.

Re: quick 'starch' sides

You can also do sweet potatoes, like baked sweet potatoes but in the microwave. They come out really well. For a regular sized sweet potato, fork some holes in it, wrap in paper towel and put in microwave for 5 or 6 minutes. Comes out great!