I have another cooking related confession–I’m awful when it comes to side dishes! Main dishes I’ve got a pretty good amount of but for some reasons my imagination fails me when it comes to side dishes and we end up with heated up sweet corn from a can…..again.

Here are two great side recipes that use one of your favorite kitchen fixtures–the microwave! They’re also hearty enough that you could also use them for a light meal!

 

Spanish Rice Recipe

 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup uncooked minute rice

1-16 ounce can tomatoes, undrained

1 medium onion, chopped

1 cup tomato juice

1/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

Add onions & rice to bacon drippings. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until lightly browned. Stir in remaining ingredients & bacon. Cover and microwave on high for 8 minutes or until rice is tender.

 Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

4 sweet potatoes, washed and pricked with fork

1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed

1-16 ounce can tomatoes and sweet onion

1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Microwave the potatoes on high for 15 minutes or until tender. Combine beans and canned tomatoes. Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes. Barely slash open each potato and press to make a well in the center. Spoon the bean mixture into the well. Top each with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Taken from the book 25 Minute Meals- 120 Tasty Recipes By MariLee Parrish / Barbour Publishing. You can purchase this recipe book and more in the cookbook section here: http://www.christianmomsbusinessresource.com/marilees-book-shop.html