I'm making a casual dinner tonight for my husband and one of his bosses who is coming over. Preliminary menu is London broil, spring mix and berries salad with a sweet vinaigrette and dinner rolls. I wanted to add a side but can't decide which and I prefer to stay clear of rice for tonight. Mashed potatoes? Cous cous with mushrooms? Scalloped potatoes? Pasta? Which not-to-fussy side would you suggest to better complement the London Broil and berry salad? Please include recipe and feel free to comment if you don't like the preliminary menu too.
Mary J2008-08-01T07:49:16Z
Favorite Answer
I think couscous with mushrooms sounds perfect. It's lighter than mashed potatoes and the mushrooms would be an excellent compliment to the London broil. Plus, because the steak is so rich itself, I would avoid a side dish with butter or other rich ingredients. Also, because the salad is on the sweet side, the earthiness of the couscous and the mushrooms would be awesome. Finally--not everyone serves couscous, it's out of the ordinary without being something a dinner guest might be hesitant to eat. Sounds like a great dinner!
Hmm I like your ideas but since your doing a healthy salad why not kinda keep in the theme and do 2 sides so theres an option for the guest to choose from. I suggest doing the potatos and I like mashed with a beef dinner, and you dont always need a gravy either, but if you want one I suggest a light brown gravy made with some of the pan drippings and same herbs and seasonings. But I also suggest blanched green beans sprinkled with slivered almonds for a bit of crunch or dried crasins for a burst of sweetness. The green beans will add a nice splash of color to the great menu and if the potatos are not something they want its a geat alternative.
Recipe: well not really just a method to prepare: You need- Bowl of ice water for shocking the beans
For blanching the green beans I use a combination of stock" vegetable" and water, about 2 c each depending on how many handfuls of beans your doing. I do add a tsp of salt to the water. Add your beans once you have removed the tough ends and cut in half or left whole. Blanche only for 3 mins then immediatly remove and place in a bath of ice water to shock then and stop the cooking process instantly and retaint that vibrant green color. Dress with a bit of salt and pepper or Mrs Dash seasoning, top with sliverd almonds or Crasins and enjoy
This is a common side we serve with our roast dinners as my girls love green beans..lol
Your preliminary menu is perfect; that's one of my favorite salads:) .... I think the scalloped potatoes are perfect, but mashed would be good too. I wouldn't do the cous cous, unless you're sure his boss likes it (my husband and son-in-laws DON'T like cous cous) ......Maybe a simple fruit sorbet for dinner (Hagen Daz has good ones)
I think baked red potatoes would go great with london broil. Just half some baby red potatoes sprinkle them with olive oil, basil, and salt and bake on 325 until tender. I sometimes melt a little cheddar over the potatoes for an extra zing.
How about Sweet Potato "Fries". This is one of my favorites:
Wash off outside of sweet potatoes, and cut off the pointy ends. Cut each potato into 8 wedges length-wise. Toss the wedges with olive oil, sea salt and paprika (and add cajun spice, cayenne pepper, chili powder, etc. if you like). Place in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, turning the wedges over once after 15 minutes of baking.