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Meat on the Side: Delicious Vegetable-Focused Recipes for Every Day Kindle Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 227 ratings

In a recent survey, over 22 million Americans identified their eating habits as "vegetarian-inclined." They haven't given up meat, but understand that we need to rethink the way we plan meals. These millions of people are always on the hunt for new, creative ways to work more of them into their diets. Food Network star Nikki Dinki is here to fill this need. She's not a vegetarian; she's not a vegan; Nikki is simply a great chef and healthy eater who plans her meals with the meat on the side!

Inside are no fewer than 100 recipes to put meat in the passenger seat. You won't miss the beef in these Eggplant Meatballs; you'll marvel that pasta can be made from a parsnip using just a peeler; and you'll never want traditional nachos again after trying Nikki's Cabbage Nachos.

Meat on the Side is for home cooks looking to make the shift to healthier, vegetable-focused meals; couples where one person is vegetarian and the other is not; vegetarians looking for new ways to eat vegetables; and for the family that wants unique recipes that are guaranteed to get their children to eat healthier.

Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For those who like flexible recipes that can be both meaty and meatless, this cookbook provides excellent choices." - Library Journal

"Nikki Dinki's
Meat on the Side is truly the vanguard of what is soon to become the new normal. Nikki is showing all of us that we can still enjoy a healthy amount of protein while making conscious choices that are beneficial not only for ourselves, but for the planet as a whole. The most extraordinary thing, in my opinion, is that Nikki does this without compromising taste, technique, or the true joy of cooking. I've been lucky enough to have tasted Nikki's food and I can say with total conviction, Meat on the Side will change the way you think, cook, and eat. Mangia!" -Duff Goldman, host of Food Network’s Duff Till Dawn, Kids Baking Championship, Holiday Baking Championship, and Spring Baking Championship

"Never again will you complain about eating your vegetables!
Meat on the Side is fresh, exciting, and downright delicious. Nikki takes on a culinary adventure with vegetables that is at all times informative and tons of fun!" -Damaris Phillips, winner of Food Network Star

"I believe Nikki’s Meat on the Side philosophy is the beginning of a social and culinary revolution that will forever change the way we eat." -Viet Pham, chef and restaurateur

"A modern-day approach to cooking and eating the way we all should. These are the kinds of foods you want to make for your family!" -Bobby Deen, co-host of The Cooking Channel’s
Junk Food Flip

“Nikki’s
Meat on the Side is clever and delicious and truly the direction we all should be heading with how we put our meal plate together and think about food. She really balances her recipes out to have a little of all and never feel deprived. Fresh, bold and oh, she makes it easy. Buen Provecho!" -Ingrid Hoffmann, Food Network chef and author of Simply Delicioso

“We are ready for a book like this. We've become a meat-centric country, and it's time for a change. Nikki's enthusiastic and radiant personality shines from these pages, and she's the perfect candidate to lead this pro-veg movement. With her comforting recipes, it's a delicious and ambitious agenda.” -Justin Warner, author of
The Laws Of Cooking and How To Break Them and winner of Food Network Star season 8

"In an era where the processed food industry dominates our eating habits, Dinx joins the whole-food movement at the fore front with this little gem. A body of work brimming with vitality and life, captured to inspire and awaken the conscious eater in us all." -Jason Roberts, chef at Rocket and Rabbit

About the Author

NIKKI DINKI stole the spotlight on Food Network's Food Network Star, where she rose to the top as she showcased her exciting vegetable-focused recipes. Now she is cooking up healthy versions of classic comfort food on her new TV show Junk Food Flip, which airs on Cooking Channel. You can also follow her online at her food blog/cooking show NikkiDinkiCooking.com, where she constantly shares new Meat on the Side recipes with her devoted fans.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B013P2QVV6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin (June 7, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 7, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 70440 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 454 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 227 ratings

About the author

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Nikki Dinki
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Nikki Dinki is a chef, author, mom, TV host and picky-eater-turned-veggie-lover who is spreading the delicious veggie word! You can flip through her award-winning first book, Meat On The Side, follow her food-driven adventures and unique creations on multiple Food Network and Cooking Channel series, and watch her share recipes and tips regularly on the Wendy Williams and Dr. Oz shows. She is also releasing her second cookbook More Veggies Please! focused on family food in the fall of 2021. Catch her @NikkiDinki on Instagram and at NikkiDinkiCooking.com to watch her candidly reveal her successes as well as the struggles of navigating three kids (including a set of twins!) while always offering up tasty veggie-focused recipes the whole family will love.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
227 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the recipes in the book amazing and creative. They appreciate the tips for modifying the recipes and family-friendly dishes. The book offers new and interesting ways to use vegetables. Many readers find it helpful for eating healthier and meat-free meals. The pictures are beautiful and appreciated. Readers describe the book as interesting, relatable, and fun.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

66 customers mention "Recipes"60 positive6 negative

Customers find the recipes in the book amazing and creative. They appreciate the tips for modifying the recipes and making them family-friendly. The dishes in the book include classics and comfort food, with interesting ways to use vegetables and meat. The recipes are easy to follow and contain ingredients that are accessible at their local grocery store. Customers praise the organization of the recipes and structure of the book. Overall, they describe it as an amazing cookbook by an amazing woman.

"...#2 - The organization of recipes, the tips, and the structure make this cookbook ideal for creative cooks who prefer veggies, but aren't averse to..." Read more

"...Her spirit, creativity, and love of cooking shines through the pages--and is completely apparent in the flavors of the foods presented in the book...." Read more

"...One of the best features of this book are the tips for modifying the recipes; the "family friendly" tips definitely come in handy when..." Read more

"...I really enjoyed the introduction to each recipe and often that description would turn the recipe from a "no go" to "I'll try it"...." Read more

19 customers mention "Creativity"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has creative and delicious recipes. They appreciate the original content, well-explained recipes, and beautiful photographs. Readers also like the endpapers, layouts, and fonts.

"...1 - Her personality shines through. She's funny, smart, personable, creative...." Read more

"...Her spirit, creativity, and love of cooking shines through the pages--and is completely apparent in the flavors of the foods presented in the book...." Read more

"...It has some really creative and delicious recipes without being overly complicated...." Read more

"...I love this book and think you did a wonderful job...." Read more

14 customers mention "Health"12 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the book's health benefits. They find it helps them eat healthier, with tasty and meat-free recipes that are also kid-friendly. The book is an excellent reference for planning meals with less meat.

"...also gives you options by noting things like recipes that can be made entirely meat free and kid friendly choices which is something I've never seen..." Read more

"...This book has helped me eat healthy, easily!" Read more

"...Since buying this book I've been cooking healthier and saving money on groceries. I recommend this to EVERYONE!" Read more

"...TV shows, are approachable and easy to find the ingredients for and healthy, approachable for everyone's food preferences. Highly recommend!" Read more

12 customers mention "Pictures quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pictures. They find the pictures beautiful and informative.

"...The first thing I noticed is just how BEAUTIFUL it is! As a bibliophile, I am in love with the endpapers, the layouts, the fonts, everything!..." Read more

"...What I did really like about the book was all the pictures. At least half the recipes had accompanying photos...." Read more

"...The recipes are simple to understand, the photos and book design are gorgeous — she always adds her personal story and twist on each dish, which..." Read more

"...The cookbook itself is beautiful, easy to understand, and convinces me that I need to try every single recipe.. the only problem is to know which..." Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting and relatable. They appreciate the original, creative recipes and well-explained content. The book is described as informative and fun.

"I Love the IDEA of this book and I expected most of the recipes to be a big pile of veggies with a little serving of meat included...." Read more

"...who has revolutionized the culinary industry and yet she's utterly relatable and fun." Read more

"...story and twist on each dish, which makes this cookbook interesting to read as much as use for practical cooking...." Read more

"...Star and was so happy that she released this cookbook with all her unique and creative recipes....that are DELISH!" Read more

3 customers mention "Personality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the author's personality engaging. They describe her as personable and inspiring.

"...Here's why I love it ... #1 - Her personality shines through. She's funny, smart, personable, creative...." Read more

"...Nikki is so personable, I felt like I was sitting down to a cup of coffee with her...." Read more

"...exceeded all the expectations I had for it Nikki Dinki is an inspiring chef and makes you think out of the box with delicious and one-of-a-kind..." Read more

Fun & easy!
5 out of 5 stars
Fun & easy!
Fun & easy recipes! Dinki also tells great family stories that inspire her cooking and love of vegetable-focused cooking. So far my favs are zucchini crust pizza and cabbage noodles!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2016
    I remember watching Nikki when she was auditioning for the Food Network star role, and I was so excited. Finally, someone was putting creative cooking and vegetable-based menus in a sexy basket! When Nikki didn't make it to the finals (for reasons her fans now totally understand), I was bereft. But the meme, "Meat on the Side" (MOTS) kept haunting me in the ensuing years as I swung back and forth between paleo and vegetarian (strange, huh?). Not long ago, I did a web search using MOTS and voila! Not only was Nikki back ... she had never gone away. And her cookbook was just making a debut. I have already purchased three as gifts, plus my own cherished copy. Here's why I love it ...

    #1 - Her personality shines through. She's funny, smart, personable, creative. You instantly get that you are entrusting your family meals to someone who isn't a talking head or snooty foodie. But she is on a higher plane than RR will ever be.
    #2 - The organization of recipes, the tips, and the structure make this cookbook ideal for creative cooks who prefer veggies, but aren't averse to tossing in a few bits of chicken, fish, etc. to make themselves (or their carnivore friends) happy. I gave this book to my daughter, who is the assistant director of food service at a university which has to serve vegans, vegetarians, gluten-sensitive, omnivores, and other culinary constituents all at once. She loves it, and said this book will become her bible. And I love it because now I have a go-to resource for when 50/50 friends come over and I can throw some "meat on the side" to keep them happy without feeling cheated.
    #3 - The final chapter is so poignant and sweet and understated. Nikki could have taken her story and milked it, but one recipe was all she needed to convey a very tender point. I am sending her a virtual hug this very minute.

    Meat on the Side has earned a special place in my cookbook library: right next to the stove. Please buy this book, and read it from start to finish. It's more than a cookbook. It's special.
    22 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2016
    I was so excited when this book arrived!! The first thing I noticed is just how BEAUTIFUL it is! As a bibliophile, I am in love with the endpapers, the layouts, the fonts, everything! And then there's the main part--the AMAZING recipes! I love Nikki's "voice" that comes through in each of her creations--I almost feel like she's right there in my kitchen with me. Her spirit, creativity, and love of cooking shines through the pages--and is completely apparent in the flavors of the foods presented in the book. I've made quite a few of these recipes already and not only has each concoction been delicious, but the directions have been easy to follow. I've also learned quite a bit about ingredients I've never used before! Thank you for presenting us with such an amazing vegetable-focused book!

    PS, My kids are also huge fans of many of these recipes--and it's not easy to please those two! :)
    19 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2017
    If you're looking to eat more veggies, then this cook book is definitely a winner. It has some really creative and delicious recipes without being overly complicated. My favorite recipes from this book so far would have to be the brussels sprouts + pear carbonara and the pumpkin pancakes. One of the best features of this book are the tips for modifying the recipes; the "family friendly" tips definitely come in handy when cooking for kids. My only complaint about this book is that there will occasionally be a page that seems like it's in a weird order (like a table of contents type page right in the middle of a recipe section) but it doesn't make me love the book any less.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2017
    I am not a vegetarian, or paleo, or anything like that. I just love veggies and was looking for some new recipes other than my traditional southern style standbys. Of the roughly 90 recipes, I only found 20 that I would be willing to try or that sounded interesting. Some are just too over the top and unrealistic, throwing a vegetable in there for the sake of a vegetable (pattypan squash and egg bagel sandwiches). I suggest you peruse the table of contents for the recipes and see if they sound interesting to you and then decide. What I did really like about the book was all the pictures. At least half the recipes had accompanying photos. I really enjoyed the introduction to each recipe and often that description would turn the recipe from a "no go" to "I'll try it". At the end of the day, I will probably walk away with 2-3 recipes that will make it into the permanent file (I am looking forward to eggplant sauce) so I am happy with the purchase but not elated.
    18 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2017
    I got your book for Christmas and I'm still loving it. I was recently reading reviews to see what others thought and after reading the negative reviews, I feel as strongly as ever. This is a great cookbook with new and interesting ways to use veggies. I love this book and think you did a wonderful job. I didn't find any critical reviews (except the one about missing nutritional info) helpful....and I am not looking for that info, so I'm just as content without it. In fact I just told my husband last night, I've never felt capable of cooking 'fancy sounding' dishes. You not only make it easy, but you're so positive and encouraging, you've empowered me to try it all! Thank you Nikki!
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2016
    This book is the best! I've followed Nikki since Food Network Star, and have been a fan ever since! Her "meat on the side" philosophy is kind of how I have always eaten anyway...some people think I am a vegetarian! Really, I am just a picky eater ;)
    But, meat usually isn't the focus of my dishes I cook, although I always do look to add protein to a dish at the end.
    This book has so many amazing recipes! I love Nikki's innovation! She takes a common, often meat-heavy, or not-so-healthy recipe and totally puts a clever spin on it that I wish I had thought of! I am so happy to have this book, and can't wait to get cooking!
    Thanks Nikki!
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amy
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on May 17, 2017
    Some great looking recipes, but I never find myself reaching for this cookbook.
  • Magria68
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tolles Kochbuch
    Reviewed in Germany on July 26, 2017
    mit vielen schönen Bildern, die zum Nachkochen animieren. Und die Rezepte, die ich bislang ausprobiert habe waren alle sehr lecker. Wer nicht vor amerikanischen Maßangaben zurückschreckt und auch gelegentlich mal "Was ist....." googelt, wird bestimmt viel Spaß mit dem Buch haben.

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