ISO: side dish to go with quesadillas

[gobluem82]

I'm going to make the chicken and mushroom quesadillas from 7/04 to to celebrate Cinco de Mayo later this week. Any good ideas as to what to serve with it? I want to avoid starchy sides like rice or beans. I'm hoping to hit the store later today to buy what I need, so I appreciate any suggestions!

[srahndennis]

When I don't want to add another starch to a mexican-type meal, I'll sautee zucchini and squash, maybe adding a can of Rotel. I've also just sauteed red, yellow, and/or orange bell peppers - whichever color I have on hand.

[pes]

I usually serve a very simple chopped salad from Rachael Ray: On a bed of chopped lettuce, spread chopped tomatoes, chopped avocado & chopped Vidalia onion. Sprinkle this with kosher salt, chopped parsley(you can use cilantro also, but I personally do not care for cilantro), and squeeze a lime over the top of this. Easy and refreshing!

[Beth]

Pico de gallo, guacomole, roasted or sauteed pepeprs and onions, a green salad with onions and oranges and a cumin or pepper vinagrette, green beans or bean salad with a Mexican twist, fresh fruit -- plain or with some mint, basil, cilantro and or peppers. Take a look at this thread (http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6591&highlight=pineapple+and+basil+and+mint) for some ideas.

[irisheyes]

There is an excellent CL recipe for black bean confetti relish that is a great side dish for just about any mexican/southwestern flavored food. If you would like me to post it, just let me know.

[miami]

I would do a green salad and a fruit salad, plus salsa or pico de gallo. Or you could put fruit (berries or citrus) IN the green salad for a refrshing contrast to the quesadillas.

[beccac]

Here is my standby Mexican salad. It's delicious - from an old cookbook in my family.

Boston bibb lettuce
fresh tomatoes
avocado
dressing

Arrange the vegetables on a flat platter and drizzle the dressing over the top.

Mexican Salad Dressing

1/2 Olive oil
1/4 White vinegar
1/4 Sugar
1 clove minced fresh garlic
Squeeze of lime
Salt
Pepper

Mix all together and shake up. Taste until to your liking.

[starlight]

We ALWAYS have a big dish of guacamole and homemade salsa. I saute lots of red and green peppers with onions. Something with black beans would also be very good. Or how about pinto beans?

[MISSINDI]

Starlight beat me to it - definitely homemade guacamole and chips!

I'd add a black bean salad too -- have one I can post, if you need/want a recipe. Or a cold corn salad.

The current issue of Budget Living magazine has a Mexican party in it, with recipes, and they're actually all available online. You can go here (http://www.budgetlivingmagazine.com/feature200504.php?issue=200504&page=1&max=2). I'm going to make the Candied Margaritas this month. Hope this helps!

[gracey]

We had the Mexican Citrus Salad (not sure of the exact name) from the Jack Bishop cookbook last night -- I don't have the book with me but it was really simple and refreshing. Orange and/or grapefruit slices with lime juice drizzled over with a sprinkling of salt, chili powder and cilantro.

[gobluem82]

I think I'm going to try a corn, mango, and jicama salad from the Epicurious website. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the suggestions!