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Expanded Food and Nutrition Education ProgramEducating families since 1969
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  • Recipes – Under Construction

Side Dishes

Healthy Holiday Vegetable Platter

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Side Dish
Servings 12 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups Broccoli
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes
  • 1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper cut into strips
  • 1 1/2 cups Cauliflower Florets
  • 15 Pretzel Sticks

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Arrange broccoli on a platter in the shape of a tree.
  • Decorate with pepper strips and cherry tomatoes.
  • Place pretzels to form a trunk and add cauliflower as snow.
  • Enjoy!
Keyword english

cereal mix

Cereal Mix

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups low-fat and low sugar whole grain cereal
  • 1 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, cherries, or apricots)
  • 1/2 cup nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Place ingredients into separate bowls or sandwich bags.
  • Stir with spoon to combine ingredients in the bowl or shake plastic bag to combine ingredients.
  • If prepared in bowl, store in sandwich zipper seal storage bags. May use large plastic zipper seal bag as storage.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 7, Serv. size: 1/2 cup (39g), Amount per serving: Calories 160, Total Fat 6g (8% DV), Sat. Fat 0.5g (3% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 45g (2% DV), Total Carb. 25g (9% DV), Fiber 1g (4% DV), Total Sugars 17g (Incl. 0g Added Sugars, 0% DV), Protein 2g, D (0% DV), Calcium (4% DV), Iron (15% DV), Potas. (6% DV).
Keyword english

cucumber salsa

Cucumber Salsa

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cucumber peeled and chopped
  • 1 small avocado peeled and chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion minced
  • 2 tbsps cilantro chopped
  • 1 Serrano pepper seeded and minced
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 tbsps fresh lime juice
  • 2 tbsps water (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Chop all vegetables as requested in the ingredients list.
  • In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Add salt to taste.
  • Refrigerate before serving so flavors can meld.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 6, Serv. size: 1/2 cup (86g), Amount per serving: Calories 60, Total Fat 5g (6% DV), Sat. Fat 0.5g (3% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 0g (0% DV), Total Carb. 5g (2% DV), Fiber 3g (11% DV), Total Sugars 3g (Incl. 0g Added Sugars, 0% DV), Protein 1g, D (0% DV), Calcium (0% DV), Iron (0% DV), Potas. (4% DV).
Keyword english

spinach squares

Spinach Squares

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Servings 3 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked rice brown rice optional
  • 1½ cups thawed chopped spinach
  • 1½ cups grated part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • salt, pepper and garlic to taste

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Mix all ingredients well.
  • Pour into a 13 X 10 inch baking dish.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes.
  • Cut into squares and serve warm.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 6, Serv. size: ¾ - 1 cup, Amount per serving: Calories 170, Total Fat 5g (6% DV), Sat. Fat 3g (15% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 20mg (7% DV), Sodium 350g (15% DV), Total Carb. 20g (7% DV), Fiber 1g (4% DV), Total Sugars 0g (Incl. 0g Added Sugars, 0% DV), Protein 10g, Vit. D (0% DV), Calcium (20% DV), Iron (6% DV), Potas. (2% DV).
Keyword english

Energy Nuggets

Energy Nuggets

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Servings 1 Energy Nugget

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 4 graham cracker squares finely crushed
  • 1/2 cup quick-cooking oatmeal

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Mix together peanut butter, nonfat dry milk, and honey in a large bowl.
  • Add crushed graham crackers and oatmeal and mix with a spoon.
  • Roll the mixture with your hands into 24 snack size balls . Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 24, Serv. size: 1 Energy Nugget, Amount per serving: Calories 60, Total Fat 2g (3% DV), Sat. Fat 0g (0% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 35g (2% DV), Total Carb. 10g (4% DV), Fiber 0g (0% DV), Total Sugars 8g (Incl. 6g Added Sugars, 12% DV), Protein 2g, Vit. D (0% DV), Calcium (2% DV), Iron (0% DV), Potas. (2% DV).
Keyword english
pineapple carrot bread

Carrot Pineapple Bread

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Servings 1 muffin

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tsp oil or cooking spray
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup carrot grated
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple un-drained
  • 2 tsps vanilla
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1½ tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area
  • Clean the tops of canned food items before opening them.
  • Preheat oven to 350ËšF.
  • Grease 2 loaf pans or about 18 muffin cups or use paper liners on muffin tin.
  • Combine sugar, applesauce, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add carrot, pineapple and vanilla.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, mix flour, baking soda and cinnamon.
  • Add the flour mixture to the carrot mixture and mix well.
  • Pour into loaf pans or muffin cups and fill to about â…” full.
  • Bake loaves for 1 hour. Muffins for 20 minutes.
  • Cool and serve.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 18, Serv. size: 1 muffin or ½ “ slice, Amount per serving: Calories 130, Total Fat 1g (1% DV), Sat. Fat 0g (0% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 25mg (8% DV), Sodium 85g (4% DV), Total Carb. 27g (10% DV), Fiber 1g (4% DV), Total Sugars 12g (Incl. 8g Added Sugars, 16% DV), Protein 3g, Vit. D (0% DV), Calcium (0% DV), Iron (6% DV), Potas. (2% DV).
Keyword english

potato salad

Potato Salad with Yogurt Dressing

q tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil tablespoons vinegar Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
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Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 minute min
Total Time 26 minutes mins
Course Salad
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups cooked chopped and peeled potatoes
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 3/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 tbsp vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste optional

Instructions
 

  • Wash hands and cooking area.
  • In a large bowl, combine yogurt, onions, vinegar, olive oil, celery, salt and pepper, mix well.
  • Fold potatoes into yogurt mixture.
  • Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 12, Serv. size: 1/2 cup, Amount per serving: Calories 70, Total Fat 1.5g (2% DV), Sat. Fat 0g (0% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 70g (3% DV), Total Carb. 12g (4% DV), Fiber 1g (4% DV), Total Sugars 2g (Incl. 0g Added Sugars, 0% DV), Protein 2g, Vit. D (0% DV), Calcium (2% DV), Iron (0% DV), Potas. (6% DV).
Keyword english

apple bread

Apple Bread

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Servings 1.5 inch slice

Ingredients
  

  • 2 eggs
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups apples chopped or grated

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F
  • In the first bowl, beat the eggs.
  • Add sugar, applesauce, oil and vanilla to eggs. Beat until smooth.
  • In the second bowl, sift flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together.
  • Add sifted ingredients and apples to the first mixture.
  • Mix all ingredients until blended
  • Pour batter into a greased loaf pan.
  • Bake for 1 hour.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 16, Serv. size: 1 ½ inch slice, Amount per serving: Calories 140, Total Fat 4.5g (6% DV), Sat. Fat 0.5g (3% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 20mg (7% DV), Sodium 150g (7% DV), Total Carb. 23g (8% DV), Fiber 2g (7% DV), Total Sugars 10g (Incl. 8g Added Sugars, 16% DV), Protein 3g, Vit. D (0% DV), Calcium (2% DV), Iron (6% DV), Potas. (2% DV).
Keyword english

Sweet Potato Muffins

Sweet Potato Mini Muffins

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Servings 1 muffins

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tbsp margarine
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup cooked mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup chopped raisins

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Pre-heat your oven to 400°F.
  • In medium mixing bowl, cream margarine and sugar.
  • Add egg and cooked sweet potatoes; mix well.
  • In the large bowl, stir flour with baking powder, salt, and spices.
  • Alternate adding milk and the potato mixture to the large bowl with your dry ingredients.
  • Fold in nuts and raisins.
  • Spoon into greased 1 ½ inch mini muffin tins, filling each 2/3 full.
  • Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes or until golden brown
  • Let cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 12, Serv. size: 1 muffin (60g), Amount per serving: Calories 150, Total Fat 6g (8% DV), Sat. Fat 1g (5% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 15mg (5% DV), Sodium 210g (9% DV), Total Carb. 22g (8% DV), Fiber 1g (4% DV), Total Sugars 12g (Incl. 8g Added Sugars, 16% DV), Protein 2g, Vit. D (0% DV), Calcium (4% DV), Iron (6% DV), Potas. (2% DV)
Keyword english

minestrone pasta

Minestrone Pasta

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Salad, Side Dish
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz uncooked medium pasta shells whole wheat optional
  • 2 medium carrots sliced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
  • 15 oz canned kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz canned garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
  • 14.5 oz canned of diced, unsalted tomatoes
  • 2/3 cups Italian dressing
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Wash fresh vegetables and prepare as per ingredients. Rinse canned beans.
  • Cook pasta by package directions.
  • Drain and rinse pasta, set aside to cool.
  • In a large bowl, mix carrots, bell pepper, kidney and garbanzo beans, and tomatoes.
  • Add cooked pasta to vegetable mixture.
  • Mix ingredients with Italian dressing and parmesan cheese.
  • Refrigerate before serving.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 10, Serv. size: 1 cup (194g), Amount per serving: Calories 230, Total Fat 3g (4% DV), Sat. Fat 1g (5% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 5mg (2% DV), Sodium 440g (19% DV), Total Carb. 40g (15% DV), Fiber 6g (21% DV), Total Sugars 6g (Incl. 0g Added Sugars, 0% DV), Protein 11g, Vit. D (0% DV), Calcium (8% DV), Iron (10% DV), Potas. (6% DV)
Keyword english

Marinated Three Bean Salad

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Prep Time 1 hour hr
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Salad, Side Dish
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 8.5 oz canned lima beans
  • 8 oz canned cut green beans
  • 8 oz canned red kidney beans
  • 1 medium onion thinly sliced and separated into two rings
  • 1/2 cup sweet green bell pepper chopped
  • 8 oz fat free Italian salad dressing

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Clean the tops of canned food items before opening them.
  • Drain canned beans.
  • Peel and slice the onion and separate into rings.
  • In a large bowl, combine the lima beans, green beans, kidney beans, onion rings, and green bell pepper.
  • Pour the Italian dressing over the mixture and toss lightly.
  • Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour. The salad can be left in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Drain before serving.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 4, Serv. size: 1 1/3 cup (274g), Amount per serving: Calories 160, Total Fat 1g (1% DV), Sat. Fat 0g (0% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 680g (30% DV), Total Carb. 29g (11% DV), Fiber 4g (14% DV), Total Sugars 7g (Incl. 0g Added Sugars, 0% DV), Protein 8g, Vit. D (0% DV), Calcium (4% DV), Iron (10% DV), Potas. (6% DV)
Keyword english

garbanzo crunchies

Garbanzo Crunchies

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 15 oz cooked garbanzo beans drained
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Paprika, or chili powder to taste

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Toss garbanzo beans with olive oil.
  • Spread on a baking sheet.
  • Sprinkle paprika or chili powder over beans.
  • Bake 30 minutes or until golden.
  • Stir half way through.
  • Eat warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 8, Serv. size: ¼ cup (55g), Amount per serving: Calories 60, Total Fat 3g (4% DV), Sat. Fat 0g (0% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 150g (7% DV), Total Carb. 7g (3% DV), Fiber 2g (7% DV), Total Sugars 0g (Incl. 0g Added Sugars, 0% DV), Protein 3g, Vit. D (0% DV), Calcium (2% DV), Iron (6% DV), Potas. (2% DV)
Keyword english

elbow pasta salad

Elbow Pasta Salad

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Salad, Side Dish
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 1 16 oz packaged elbow macaroni pasta whole wheat optional
  • 3 tbsp oil canola, olive, or vegetable
  • 3 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/2 cup fat free or light mayonnaise
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1 4 oz jar diced pimentos
  • 1 cup sliced black olives
  • 1 oz box or package (10 ounce) frozen peas thawed

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Boil elbow pasta according to package directions. Drain.
  • Mix elbow pasta, oil, and lime juice in a bowl.
  • Cover bowl with lid, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil. Refrigerate overnight.
  • The next day, add mayonnaise, celery, bell pepper, onions, pimientos, olives, and peas o the elbow pasta mixture. Mix well.
  • If desired, season with onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  • Serve cold and keep refrigerated.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 12, Serv. size: 1 cup, Amount per serving: Calories 240, Total Fat 9g (12% DV), Sat. Fat 1g (5% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 5mg (2% DV), Sodium 180g (8% DV), Total Carb. 36g (13% DV), Fiber 2g (7% DV), Total Sugars 3g (Incl. 0g Added Sugars, 0% DV), Protein 7g, Vit. D (0% DV), Calcium (4% DV), Iron (15% DV), Potas. (4% DV)
Keyword english

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course Side Dish

Ingredients
  

  • 15 oz can of black beans no salt added, rinsed and drained
  • 11 oz can of whole kernel corn no salt added, drained
  • 1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped
  • 2 medium tomatoes chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro or 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
  • 1/4 cup red onion diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice about 2 limes squeezed
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 ripe avocado chopped

Instructions
 

  • Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
  • Clean the tops of canned food items before opening them.
  • Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, except avocado.
  • Cover and chill for at least two hours.
  • Add avocado just before serving.

Notes

Nutrition Facts Servings: 20, Serv. size:(72g), Amount per serving: Calories 50, Total Fat 1.5g (2% DV), Sat. Fat 0g (0% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 160g (7% DV), Total Carb. 7g (3% DV), Fiber 3g (11% DV), Total Sugars 1g (Incl. 0g Added Sugars, 0% DV), Protein 2g, Vit. D (0% DV), Calcium (2% DV), Iron (6% DV), Potas. (4% DV)
Keyword english
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M University System Member

This work is supported by the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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