A Side of Sweet

Beautiful Food, Travel & Design

Rainbow Beet & Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Gluten FreeNut FreeEgg FreeVegetarian

Add a pop of color to winter with this colorful rainbow Beet and Roasted Cauliflower Salad recipe. It’s healthy, hearty and absolutely beautiful!Winter Rainbow Salad - Fresh Beet and Roasted Cauliflower Salad Recipe with Avocado and Tomatoes

It’s been particularly grey and dreary in San Francisco this winter, with days of rain turning into weeks. There’s been a drought for most of the time we’ve lived here so it’s definitely a shock to the system to have had such a wet winter!

I’m overcompensating for the grey-ness of life with this gorgeous rainbow salad. No artificial colors or dyes, all the pops of color come from plants! I always say that nature is the best artist, and I think looking at the photos you’ll have to agree…. Read More »

Lemon Curd Tart Recipe with Olive Oil Crust

Nut Free

A lemon curd tart recipe baked in a delicious olive oil tart shell made with Spanish olive oil. Plus, everything you need to know about choosing, storing and tasting olive oil.Lemon Curd Tart Recipe with Olive Oil Crust

You really can’t go wrong with lemon curd. Right now our lemon tree is producing like crazy, providing us with a bounty of lemons to use. We’ve been eating lemon curd by the gallon. Although I love spooning it on homemade yogurt, my new favorite thing is making  baking it into this lemon curd tart. For this recipe, a traditional tart crust gets a delicious twist with tart dough made with olive oil. And for a plot twist – the lemon curd also uses olive oil instead of butter!

Intrigued? Read on…



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Chocolate Dipped OREO Footballs

Gluten FreeNut Free

Win your Big Game party with this fun Chocolate Dipped OREO Footballs recipe. They are easy to make ahead of time to cut party prep stress. This post is sponsored by Nabisco. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to bring you beautiful and delicious content!

Superbowl Party Food Ideas - Oreo Football Shaped Snacks

The biggest football game of the year is just weeks away, so it’s time to start party planning! The thing I’m most looking forward to (even more than the halftime show!) is sharing these mini football treats made with OREO Cookies with our guests. I know they are going to get devoured.

Read on for the recipe and for some of my Big Game party hacks!

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Healthy Mezze Platter with Hummus & Lavash

Dairy FreeEgg FreeVegetarianVegan

Spice up your next party with a healthy vegetarian Mezze Platter with hummus, lavash, feta, and veggies. Makes an amazing easy appetizer!What to Use Vegetarian Mezze Platter Appetizer with Hummus When people ask for a way to make entertaining easier, I always recommend making a platter.  Platters are an easy way to impress company when you’re entertaining. They are colorful, fun to arrange and even more fun to eat!

Cheese and charcuterie platters probably come to mind, but today I want to advocate for a different platter to add to your entertaining toolbox – the mezze platter.  Featuring a mix of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean delicacies, this is truly a fuss-free appetizer. It’s also super healthy and – unlike cheese and charcuterie – almost entirely vegan!

Read on for tips for what to put on a mezze platter…
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No-Bake Créme Brûlée Cheesecake

Nut FreeVegetarian


Your holidays will be LIT (literally) with this no-bake créme brûlée cheesecake recipe. This dessert is perfect for parties as it can be made in advance.No Bake Creme Brulee Cheesecake - Easy New Year's Recipe

I gave my classic no-bake cheesecake recipe a fun and decadent upgrade just in time for the holidays with this créme brûlée version. It has the crispy sweet crust of créme brûlée, but with the firm and creamy texture of cheesecake. It’s also incredibly easy and it’s such a crowd pleaser to light food on fire (intentionally of course!) before serving.

Read on for the recipe and what I’ll be drinking with it!
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How to Make a Charcuterie Board for the Holidays

Gluten FreeDairy FreeEgg Free

Everything you need to know about building the perfect charcuterie board. It’s easy to make a beautiful platter with these tips & tricks! Includes a FREE printable shopping list.How to Make a Charcuterie Board Platter for the holidays.

You all know I love planning a good party! I almost enjoy the planning part as much as the party itself. The more we entertain, the more I value recipes and dishes that don’t take a lot of time, or can at least be made in advance.

I want it all – something that is sure to wow our guests, but without a lot of effort required the day of the event. I do everything I can to keep from being totally overwhelmed and to make sure our guests aren’t arriving to a kitchen that looks like a tornado just hit.

A charcuterie board is the mecca of easy holiday entertaining. It takes almost no skill to arrange an absolutely stunning platter. The key is starting with the right ingredients.

Read on for a list of what to put on a charcuterie board!… Read More »