Sweet-sour meatball kabobs with ground beef, pineapple, green peppers, cherry tomatoes, and green onions. Marinated in a pineapple-soy-vinegar sauce, then broiled with a glossy glaze.
Sugar-free marinated cucumber salad with vinegar, garlic, and black pepper. Salt-brined thin slices release their water, then soak up a tangy dressing for a crisp, diabetic-friendly side dish.
Sloppy joe BBQ sandwiches with ground beef simmered in a homemade sauce of ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and hot sauce, piled on buns.
Warm potato salad with a garlic-parsley vinaigrette, nutmeg, and a dash of hot sauce. No mayo, served hot or at room temperature as a versatile side dish.
Oven-baked wild rice with wild mushrooms and balsamic onions stirred in partway through. A hands-off vegetarian main with just five ingredients.
Potato-pear salad with thinly sliced boiled potatoes and fresh pears in a simple oil and vinegar dressing. Serve warm or chilled on a bed of romaine.
Light ginger cookies rolled thin and cut into shapes, made with powdered sugar, butter, and a splash of vinegar. A delicate, crisp holiday cookie perfect for decorating with frosting.
Toffee bananas are the classic Chinese restaurant dessert: deep-fried banana pieces coated in molten pulled-sugar syrup, then dipped in ice water for a glassy, shatter-crisp shell.
Pepper cabbage slaw, the Pennsylvania Dutch classic with shredded cabbage, green pepper, carrot, and a sweet-tangy vinegar dressing. No mayo, holds for days in the fridge.
Sweet and sour meat with green bell peppers, raisins, and a tangy cornstarch-thickened sauce. Use leftover chicken, beef, pork, or turkey for a quick dinner for two.
Simple homemade tomato sauce from fresh ripe tomatoes, garlic, bay leaf, olive oil, and a splash of vinegar to brighten the finish. Long-simmered Italian-style sauce with the deep flavor only patient cooking delivers.
Southern-style collard greens simmered low and slow with vinegar until tender and flavorful. This simple two-ingredient side dish lets the natural earthy flavor of the greens shine through.
Pecan-stuffed deviled eggs with chopped pecans, mayonnaise, dry mustard, and a kick of grated onion. The Southern twist on the classic appetizer.
Sweet-and-sour meatloaf is a classic ground beef loaf glazed in a sticky tomato, brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard sauce baked right onto the top during the final 10 minutes.
Triple pear puree: Anjou pears simmered and pureed with vinegar and sugar, then reduced to applesauce consistency. A sweet-tart condiment for pork, cheese, or toast.
Mom's easy drop sugar cookies: no rolling or cutting, just scoop, flatten with a fork, and sprinkle with sugar. A butter-and-oil dough with a splash of vinegar keeps them tender and lightly crisp at the edges.