Category Archives: Sides

Man and woman do not live by main courses alone. Sides are the chorus that makes the meal come together in all its symphonic elegance. Whatever.

Recipe: Best-Way Texas Caviar

Cue angels singing. “Texas Caviar” is a bean salad featuring black eye peas doused in vinaigrette. The original was invented by Helen Corbett, the James Beard of Texas, and popularized at the legendary Neiman-Marcus Zodiac Room. Today there are infinite … Continue reading

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Recipe: Cuban-Style Black Beans

Last time I made these I used the Instant Pot and they were ready in under an hour. Convenient, but I prefer to cook on the stovetop because I can regulate the amount of water. Depending on how much water … Continue reading

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Recipe: Carrots with Thyme and Honey

This is my favorite way to cook carrots. It’s very easy, tastes great, and is a perfect accompaniment to roast pork or another meat. I found the original carrots with thyme and honey recipe in an Elizabeth David paperback I … Continue reading

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Recipe: Cherry Hummus

I remembered the cherry hummus that was served at Michael Mina’s Middle’terranea and, when I got my mitts on some dried Rainier cherries from Bella Viva Orchards, I resolved to make my own. The result is a nice change of … Continue reading

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Recipe: Different Wilted Lettuce

Another from the Pi Beta Phi Cookbook, contributed by Helen Rounds of Athens, Ohio. What makes this different wilted lettuce “different” is the addition of a beaten egg. Mrs. Rounds added it along with the other liquids, but that would … Continue reading

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Recipe: Harvard Beets

Harvard Beets is one of those grandma holiday side dishes that’s actually quite delicious, especially if you improve it with a bit of orange marmalade like I did. Based on Jean Trevor’s recipe in the Pi Beta Phi cookbook which I really … Continue reading

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Recipe: Texas Barbecue Beans

This formula is as close as I can get to the manna served at Snow’s without putting you in the pickup and driving to Lexington, TX. These are Texas barbecue beans, not “barbecued’ because no smoking is involved. Serves 8-10. … Continue reading

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Recipe: Marinated Roasted Red Peppers

[This recipe has been updated with improved technique.] Red bell peppers have been showing up at more reasonable prices recently. Which is great, because marinated roasted red peppers are one of the supreme tasty and healthy pleasures of life on … Continue reading

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Recipe: Morkovcha (Russian-Korean Carrot Salad)

This Morkovcha (Russian-Korean Carrot Salad) prep is a hybrid of best practices from the wide variety of home cook recipes I’ve run across. It has a complex, distinctive flavor profile that holds its own on a plate with several other … Continue reading

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Recipe: Sweet Potato Salad

Why not? Sweet potato salad is a nice change of pace from “regular” potato salad, better looking, and better for you. Serves four, though the recipe is very extensible. Ingredients: 1 large yam, about 1 lb ¼ c diced dill … Continue reading

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