Please help with side dish ideas!!!

[Kristi]

I'm making soy-sesame chicken breasts for dinner tonight and need a side dish or two to complement. Something easy, by the way... Any ideas??

[BethH]

Fried rice or just plain rice (try it cooked in coconut milk). Also, the herbed basmati rice from CL is tasty and I know it has been posted on this BB before.

A small stirfry of red bell peppers, mushrooms and snow peas. Steamed broccoli with some sesame seeds and garlic.

[lorilei]

Here's a few quick ideas that would stick with the Asian theme...

SESAME SNOW PEAS
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted lightly
1/2 pound snow peas, trimmed and strings discarded
1 green onion, sliced thinly on diagonal
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Heat peanut oil in wok or large heavy skillet; add sesame seeds and stir-fry for a few seconds until golden. Add snow peas and green onion; stir-fry for 1 minute.

Remove from heat and toss with sesame oil and soy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

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TAHINI PASTA
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon tahini (sesame seed paste)
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely minced
8 ounces thin spaghetti
3 green onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

Combine first 6 ingredients in large bowl. Mix well.

Cook spaghetti as directed on package. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Drain well.

Add pasta to vinegar mixture in bowl. Sprinkle with green onions and cilantro and toss well.
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GINGERED ASPARAGUS
3/4 cup rice vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons sugar
1 pound asparagus, trimmed
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soy sauce

Combine vinegar and ginger in small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 10 to 15 minutes over medium heat. Stir in sugar. Set aside.

Steam asparagus just until tender but firm. Combine garlic, oils, salt and soy sauce. Arrange asparagus on platter; pour garlic mixture over. One hour or so before serving, pour vinegar mixture over asparagus. Serve cool.