Cristina Ferrare's Salads and Sides

Cristina Ferrare making her tomato tower salad

While we often think of an entrée first when planning a meal, it's the salads and side dishes that can turn a so-so meal into an event! Memorable side dishes can be hearty or healthy and hot or cold—but one thing is certain, salads and sides can give your meal just the right amount of pizzazz.

Cristina's 10 favorite salad and side dish recipes

Cristina Ferrare's recipe for a Tomato Tower

Tomato Tower with Shallot Bacon Dressing

Christina Ferrare says: "This is one of my absolute favorite ways to eat tomatoes. It reminds me of a BLT. I just use a crunchy baguette to dip into the oil and balsamic."

Get Cristina Ferrare's Tomato Tower with Shallot Bacon Dressing recipe

Watch Cristina make her Tomato Tower with Shallot Bacon Dressing

Try Cristina Ferrare's other favorite recipes for tomatoes

Bruschetta with Crostini or Grilled Polenta

Cristina loves the versatility of bruschetta: "If you need an easy appetizer, this tomato treat is always a crowd-pleaser! I always keep prepared polenta in a tube in the fridge to grill. It comes in handy when I need something quick. I won't hesitate to also serve this to company at the start of a meal. It's simply delicious!"

Get Cristina Ferrare's Bruschetta with Crostini or Grilled Polenta recipe

Watch Cristina make her Bruschetta recipe

Try Cristina Ferrare's other favorite recipes for tomatoes

Orange-Walnut Cranberry Sauce

Cristina adds orange and walnut to give a traditional holiday staple a pop of the unexpected.

Get Cristina Ferrare's Orange-Walnut Cranberry Sauce

Watch Cristina make her Cranberry sauce recipe

Find out what makes Thanksgiving Cristina's favorite holiday

Crunchy Coleslaw with Creamy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

This coleslaw makes the perfect side when you are serving Cristina's No-Fuss Cheeseburgers or meatloaf. Add her Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe for an easy, complete meal.

Get Cristina Ferrare's Crunchy Coleslaw with Creamy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing recipe

Watch Cristina make her Crunchy Coleslaw

Sweet Potato Biscuits

These biscuits are so delicious, it's a shame to wait for a holiday to have them. These Sweet Potato Biscuits are a mouthwatering addition to any table.

Get Cristina Ferrare's recipe for Sweet Potato Biscuits

Watch Cristina make her Sweet Potato Biscuits

Find out what makes Thanksgiving Cristina's favorite holiday

Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Arugula

"Beets are a remarkable source of choline, folic acid, iodine, manganese, sodium, fiber and carbohydrates in the form of natural digestible sugars. I know many people like to boil beets, but my favorite method is to roast them in the oven until all the natural sugar starts to come out and caramelize. I peel them after they have been roasted, then slice them thin and serve with creamy goat cheese, fresh arugula, olive oil and a thick balsamic glaze over the top! The sweetness from the beets, along with the slightly bitter taste from the arugula and the tangy balsamic, is a dynamite combination. It made a beet-lover out of me," Cristina says.

Get Cristina Ferrare's recipe for Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Arugula

Get a list of Cristina's favorite seasonal veggies and how to prepare them

Creamed Spinach

Add this decadent side to your menu at the holiday or anytime, and you'll have no trouble getting your guests to eat their veggies!

Get Cristina Ferrare's recipe for Creamed Spinach

Watch Cristina make her Creamed Spinach

Get all of Cristina's favorite holiday recipes

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Cristina says, "You can serve this family-friendly corn whole or slice the kernels off the cob for those whose little teeth may be loose or for elders who have the same problem!"

Get Cristina Ferrare's recipe for Grilled Corn on the Cob

Watch Cristina make her Grilled Corn on the Cob

Sourdough Stuffing with Sausages (or Not!)

Nothing says comfort like homemade stuffing—so why wait for a holiday?

Get Cristina Ferrare's Sourdough Stuffing with Sausages (or Not!) recipe

Get all of Cristina Ferrare's favorite holiday recipes

Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

Southern cooks sure know how to make the table sweet. Add marshmallows to the delicate flavor of sweet potatoes—and no one will be able to resist.

Get Cristina Ferrare's recipe for Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

Get all of Cristina Ferrare's favorite holiday recipes

Cristina Ferrare's Best Salads and Sides