Leslie Cooks In a Van
Cooking Adventures on the Road — Delicious Food, Tiny Space, Big Flavors
Category: Side Dish
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A Fresh and Flavorful Mediterranean Side Dish Ready in Just 30 Minutes Fresh, colorful, and packed with Mediterranean flavors, this Mediterranean Israeli Couscous Salad is the perfect side dish for everything from grilled chicken and burgers to seafood and kabobs. Toasted pearl couscous is tossed with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and a…
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A Simple Israeli Couscous Recipe with Lemon & Parmesan Looking for an easy Israeli couscous recipe that feels a little special without requiring much effort? This Lemony Israeli Couscous with Parmesan is one of my favorite quick and flavorful side dishes. The pearl couscous gets lightly toasted in butter and garlic before being simmered in…
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Simple Cuban Black Beans and Rice, a.k.a Easy Congri Recipe If you love Cuban comfort food, this Simple Cuban Black Beans and Rice recipe (Congri) delivers authentic flavor with a faster, more accessible method. Traditional recipes often start with dried beans that require hours of soaking and cooking, but this version uses canned black beans…
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Fried Sweet Plantains (Maduros) – A Simple Cuban Side Dish One of my favorite things about campground life in Florida is the unexpected generosity of people you meet along the way. I recently met a couple of hunters at a campground who gifted me some fresh cooking bananas from their farm. It was such a…
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Bold, Chili Crunch Noodles Ready in 20 Minutes If you’re craving bold flavor with minimal effort, these Spicy Chili Crunch Noodles deliver big, garlicky heat with a rich sesame oil base. This easy noodle recipe is perfect for weeknights, van life cooking, or anytime you want a quick, satisfying meal packed with chili crunch flavor.…
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Smoky, Rich & Easy Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe If you love a classic tomato soup, this Roasted Tomato Soup takes things to the next level. Roasting the tomatoes and carrots adds a deep, smoky flavor that makes this soup taste restaurant-quality with minimal effort. This is a meal that can be made at home or…
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Elevate Your Side Game With The Ultimate Gourmet Side Dish If you haven’t discovered Fondant Potatoes yet, you’re missing out on what could be the most decadent, flavorful way to enjoy potatoes. This dish transforms humble spuds into a restaurant-worthy side that rivals any main course. They’re crispy on the outside, tender and buttery on…
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The Perfect Van Life Comfort Food Looking for a comforting and delicious dish that’s perfect for your van kitchen? This Mushroom and Pea Risotto is your answer! Creamy, flavorful, and satisfying, risotto is an excellent comfort food that pairs wonderfully with many main dishes. I made this recently with my Pork Medallions with Red Wine…
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A Simple Side for Your Adventures! 🔥🥗 Grilled Caesar Salad is a game changer—easy to make, requires minimal effort, and adds that smoky, charred twist perfect for outdoor dining! You can always go for store-bought dressing, but I highly recommend whipping up a quick homemade Caesar — I’ve got a simple recipe you’ll love! Ingredients:…
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Upgrade Your Brussels Sprouts with Crispy, Sweet and Spicy Perfection This is a killer Brussels sprouts recipe with a sweet, spicy, Asian-inspired glaze. I promise if you make this, you won’t be disappointed. The flavor of this dish explodes in your mouth and pairs nicely with a lot of dishes, including my Cedar Planked Salmon…