Cristina Ferrare's Best Salads and Sides
Nothing turns a mediocre meal into a family favorite like delicious side dishes that complement the main entrée. Here are Cristina Ferrare's favorite recipes.

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's 10 favorite salad and side dish recipes

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Get Cristina Ferrare's recipe for Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Get all of Cristina Ferrare's favorite holiday recipes
Published 10/18/2010