You don’t have to be attending a funeral to make this yummy dish. The name derives from the fact that this is pure, delicious, comfort food. Unlike some recipes though, mine doesn’t involve a yucky, processed can of cream-of-something soup. I won’t say it’s healthy, but it’s better than the processed stuff for sure. So good! We love having it at holiday dinners.

So, so simple. Roasting brings out the sweetness of the asparagus and caramelizes the exterior.

From Robin Miller. This is an excellent side for roasted meat dishes (chicken, pork, veal, beef) and is also tasty alongside eggs.

In this simple dish, green beans are livened up with sesame, garlic, coconut aminos, and ginger for an Asian-inspired winner. You can give most any vegetables this treatment with delicious results.

How can something so white taste so wonderful? It's called Parmesan cheese! We go through tons of the stuff in my house and vegetables are no exception. In this dish, I parboil the cauliflower first to get a jump-start on the cooking time. Not a cauliflower fan? This coating works with virtually all vegetables.

Brussels sprouts with bacon…so GOOD!

The sweetness of the mango pairs perfectly with the broccoli. You can also substitute Craisins for the mango if desired.

My whole family LOVES this dish.  We were very skeptical when we first decided to make it, because none of us really love cabbage, but even the kids ask for this one! Also, try doubling the sauce so you have extra to dip hot rolls into. It is so good! This has become a non-negotiable at our Christmas dinner.

A quick-to-make balsamic syrup enhances these roasted green beans. The balsamic syrup's also good drizzled over pork roast or even sliced fresh strawberries. From CHRISTMAS WITH SOUTHERN LIVING 2006.

If you don't have chili sauce with garlic, which is sold in the Asian section of the supermarket, use an additional garlic clove and spike the spinach with crushed hot red peppers.

You can't have a barbecue without baked beans. I love the smoky flavor of the bacon combined with the tangy ketchup and sweet molasses.

Cauliflower is one of those vegetables that can be kind of boring on its own, but with a little help, it can have its own pizzazz. The garlic, lemon juice, capers, and red pepper give this recipe a decidedly Mediterranean flair.

These are simple, but the cream cheese makes them to-die-for!

I absolutely love the flavors of the spicy Dijon mustard combined with the tang of the cider vinegar and buttermilk, and the sweetness of the brown sugar and the secret ingredient-celery salt. When you make my pulled-pork barbecue (see the entree section), be sure to make this coleslaw and serve them together on a bun.

Robin Miller simplicity…thick cut potatoes with tons of parmesan.

Broccoli is one of the green vegetables that's available year-round. Roasting the broccoli with garlic and Parmesan gives this dish great flavor.

These are a much requested McOmber family fave! They even make the birthday dinner request list.

From Barefoot Contessa. Sometimes the most popular salad is the simplest. The garlic can be cooked ahead of time and stored for weeks in your refrigerator.

This is my family's favorite way to eat asparagus - it is absolutely delicious with the salty parmesan cheese!

From Robin Miller. Fast, easy, and the perfect thing to layer underneath a saucy main dish as an alternative to rice!

This is wonderful served with your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey (or even over chicken or pork at any other time of year).  You could eat it with a spoon it's so good - just the right amount of tart & sweet!

Our family loves to have this dish at Thanksgiving! The bonus? It's a super-easy side dish that doesn't require oven space and stays warm in the crock pot until ready to serve. It's almost like a dessert! Super yummy!!