7 Delicious Summer Side Dishes

Up in NY, we celebrated Columbus Day weekend with an official "End of Summer" BBQ. Before you pack your grill away, check out this list of spectacular summer side dishes, courtesy of Kraft Kitchens: (click on the pictures to bring you to the recipes).

This blend of red potatoes, carrots, Parmesan Cheese, and Miracle Whip (or mayonnaise) 

cooked on the grill is an innovative spin-off of the classic styled scalloped potatoes.

Creamy Corn and Zucchini is perfect for when guests come over. 

They'll be begging you for the recipe before they leave!

Zesty Grilled Veggies is a quick and delicious way to combine zucchini and peppers.

 Chocolate-Cherry Clafouti appeals to the sweeter side of summer.
Not too indulgent, but definitely tasty.
Read some of the reviews for other cooking suggestions and tips.

 These BBQ Chicken and Peach Kabobs with Bacon
could be used as a meal or a side. Perhaps during a family get together?

Easy "Baked" Tomatoes... on the grill. Deliciousness!

  This Marinated Zucchini and Parsley Salad
is refreshing for any palate!

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Bob Evans and Publix team up to bring the classics home to your table!

Just in time for Thanksgiving, local Publix locations (and some other retailers, too!) have started carrying Bob Evans Side Dishes like Original Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Mac & Cheese in the refrigerated foods section.

My husband is a beef and potato kind of guy, and an absolute "Homemade Mashed Potato Junkie". Seriously, he could eat mashed potatoes from scratch all day long. I love mashed potatoes too, but rarely did we have homemade mashed potatoes growing up, the instant kind was just quicker. When I first started cooking for my husband, Brian would call my 'fake' potatoes out every time I cooked them. I couldn't believe he could tell the difference. Shortly there-after, I was invited to his mothers house and enjoyed homemade mashed potatoes the way they're supposed to taste.

Years have passed since then, and I have converted to homemade potatoes all the way. The kids love it, and let's face it- it's healthier.

Recently, I was presented the opportunity to review the new line of Bob Evans refrigerated potatoes and Mac & Cheese. (We literally live 4 blocks from a Bob Evans, and many Mothers or Fathers Days meals have been there.) Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to try them. I knew that the original sides that are served in their restaurants are delicious, and my kids devour them, but would the packaged kind work? Would they be a healthier alternative than say the boxed competitors versions?? Would it be enough to feed my hungry family? I was excited to try them out, especially since now with kids of my own, I can relate to why my mom used boxed potatoes.

The new Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes come in 'Original' and 'Garlic'. We decided to play it safe, and try the Original potatoes first. The package is microwavable, and almost instantly you have the creamiest, fluffiest homemade mashed potatoes- (with only a few little lumps of real potatoes)- ready for your dining room table.

The ingredients on the label were all normal ingredients, words that I could pronounce, and the nutritional values were very impressive for a pre-packaged product. I was expecting the sodium to be sky high, and honestly- it wasn't. The amount of food in the container was great for the size of the container. It was really packed into it, not half empty like most store bought sides. My scavengers were satisfied with the quantity.

The Bob Evans Mac & Cheese was thicker, closer to real homemade Mac & Cheese. The kids are used to the store boxed brand, so at first they were a little hesitant, but as soon as we told them it was like the kind from Bob Evans, they went to town on it! They cleared their plates, and even asked for more!

Brian & I cook with a ton of garlic, so I must say that our personal favorites were the Bob Evans Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Seasoned perfectly, it wasn't overly "Ghhhhhhhharlicy" but very well flavored. I generally need my potatoes to be lump free, but the tiny bits that were left in it really made it feel, and taste like genuine homemade potatoes.

I am excited that more varieties of classic Bob Evans products are being added to our local Publix shelves, and cannot wait to give the other products (like the Cheddar Potatoes!) a try. I've noticed on the actual Bob Evans Website, they have family sized containers as well, which would be perfect for the holidays, or for a really hungry group.

If the thought of homemade potatoes are that intimidating, Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes are the next best thing to homemade. Look for Bob Evans Sides at your local grocery store, and ask for them by name if they do not carry them yet. Bob Evans quality foods are sure to complete any meal or tradition, and with more selections being added, all of this year's Thanksgiving sides could be complete- from Sweet Potatoes to Glazed Apples!

WANT IT??
Click here to SAVE $0.50 on any Bob Evans Refrigerated Side Dish! Use this link if you're interested in saving on other Bob Evans Products. Find a super market or store near you that carries Bob Evans, here.

Congratulations to our WINNERS!!

Please read the WINNERS POST for more information on how to claim your prize!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and will end on November 21st, at 11:59pm EST. Two winners will be chosen at random using Random.org. Special thanks to Bob Evans for sponsoring this review and giveaway, and allowing our family and readers to try these yummy sides on them!

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