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Easy & Quick Side Dishes
by Patty Liston & Alice Osborne
 We love watching the Food Network, especially Iron Chef. Question, how do they get 5 extraordinary courses plated in one hour when we can’t get mac and cheese on the table in the same amount of time?
We also like watching contestants compete on the Next Food Network Star. This season, Melissa d’Arabian won. Her specialty is simple meals in a short amount of time. Because we are into simple, we thought we would share some of them with you.
Individual Potato Gratins
Melissa d’Arabian
4-6 servings
 Vegetable spray
2 large russet potatoes, roughly peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese
2 green onions, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup heavy cream
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Spray 8 muffin tins with vegetable spray. Layer potato slices, cheese, and onions into each muffin cup. Season with salt and pepper and top each gratin with 1 or 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Cover with foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, removing the foil halfway through cooking time. Invert gratins onto plate and serve.
 Download this recipe.
Couscous With Dried Dates
Melissa d’Arabian
Serves 4
 1 cup water
1 cup chicken stock or broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped dried dates
1 cup quick-cooking couscous
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Bring the water, stock, and oil to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the dates followed by the couscous. Cover the pan tightly with a lid, remove from the heat, and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.
Download this recipe.
Glazed Carrots
 1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
3/4 pound carrots, cut on the bias into coins
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
In a small skillet, combine the broth, water, butter, brown sugar, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the carrots, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until just tender, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Uncover the pan and let the liquid cook down until it reduces to a glaze, about 2 to 3 minutes. Toss the carrots to generously coat them with the glaze. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and
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