small, casual dinner menu - suggestions please

[Anonymous]

We are having 2 couples over for dinner on Sunday - we are all new empty nesters and agreed to have dinners with each other on Sunday nights as we agreed that is a night when our homes seem especially quiet without the hustle of getting ready for school the next day

One guest is a vegetarian. I’m thinking of making Ina’s truffle mac and cheese which the vegetarian can have as her entree, but open to other vegetarian suggestions. I’d also plan to roast salmon. I’d love suggestions for easy sides, preferably on the lighter side since mac and cheese is rich.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

A side that's lighter and really easy is a big salad. One that stands up well if you have a trader joe's near you:
Cruciferous Crunch Greens
Sprinkle of sunflower seeds
Sprinkle of dried cranberry

Wet and toss with TJ white modena vinegar
Add a healthy amount of TJ goddess dressing and toss

[Anonymous]

Roasted Brussels sprouts that get crispy—just olive oil, lots of flaky salt, and then hit it with Balsamic glaze when it is out of the oven (Wegmans has it, or just make a Balsamic reduction)

[Anonymous]

That sound lovely. I would do roasted broccoli since you already have the oven on. And/or a fall green salad with some apples, toasted walnuts, maybe pumpkin seeds.

[Anonymous]

thanks, all! from OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That sound lovely. I would do roasted broccoli since you already have the oven on. And/or a fall green salad with some apples, toasted walnuts, maybe pumpkin seeds.

This popped into my head, too. What a nice idea!