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: Cheeseburger Beans

When you want a cheeseburger but all you have is beans, make Cheeseburger Beans. Goes well with a hot dog or grilled chicken. Serves two as a main dish, or four as a side. Ingredients: Approx. 15 ounce can pinto … Continue reading

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Recipe: Sautéed Asparagus with Hazelnuts

The warm sweetness of roasted hazelnuts is balanced by the tartness of lemon zest to create a heartier side dish. Asparagus with hazelnuts would be an excellent accompaniment to your holiday prime rib. Serves four. Ingredients: 1 lb asparagus 1 … Continue reading

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Recipe: Two-Minute Cole Slaw

One minute in express checkout line + one minute mixing ingredients = two-minute cole slaw. And it’s pretty good for the time invested. You do need to let it sit an hour or so before serving, however. Inspired by Laura … Continue reading

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Recipe: Buttermilk Cheese Grits

Cheese Grits are the traditional accompaniment to braised short ribs but when they’re made with lots of butter the net effect is just too heavy and fatty. So I cut the fat with buttermilk and added some shiso leaves for … Continue reading

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Recipe: Corn Cucumber Salsa

Inspired by a memorable onion and cucumber salsa at Taqueria GDL in Glens Falls, NY. I had on hand some leftover Mexican grilled corn and Pickled Onions a la Mexicana, but you can use the instructions below to create it … Continue reading

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Recipe: Utica Greens

Utica Greens, named after that central New York city, are the traditional accompaniment to Chicken Riggies. They are also nice with grilled steak or chicken, or maybe as a topping on an eggplant parm sandwich. Note that my version is … Continue reading

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Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip

Like it says… Buffalo Chicken Dip! Our friend Susan made this for her son Zack’s high school graduation party but Zack, who is headed for a career in chemical engineering, says he can make it even better. Nicely fills a … Continue reading

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How to cook and eat milkweed buds

We’re back with the milkweed. The sprouts we were sautéing whole a couple weeks ago are now 3 feet high and producing clusters of buds that very quickly blossom into pretty purple flowers. Should we pick, cook and eat milkweed buds? Of … Continue reading

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Recipe: Sautéed Milkweed

Milkweed appears in mid-May in my back yard in upstate new York. The plants have distinctive paddle-shaped leaves opposite each other and hollow stalks that ooze white liquid when cut. When they’re young, the whole above-ground plant can be eaten. … Continue reading

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Recipe: Pickled Ramps Bulbs

At their prime, ramps bulbs have a taste between garlic and onion. Add one or two of these pickled ramps bulbs on the side of a serving of roasted meat for a flavor bomb. Proportions are for about a half … Continue reading

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