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.

Overflowing with okra

The very hot September in upstate New York produced an abundance of okra at the farmers’ markets. Perhaps coincidentally, readers here and on Facebook have made lots of useful comments on my recent okra posts. Susan F (I’m using initials … Continue reading

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Recipe: Sautéed Okra with Tomatoes

Our late summer heat has led to an okra bounty this year so I’ve been led to some happy experiments, this one inspired by ideas from reader Enough Already! and local chef Suzanne Watson-Fisher. Like eggplant, okra soaks up some … Continue reading

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Recipe: Cream Corn

If you have late season corn that’s getting a bit scraggly, or just some ears left too long in the fridge, cut the niblets off the cobs and cook with liquid to reconstitute them as cream corn. Allow 1 ear … Continue reading

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Recipe: Greek Fried Rice

Like Chinese fried rice, except it’s Greek! Needed a quick carbohydrate to go with squid on the grill, and found a container of leftover takeout and turned it into Greek fried rice. The net effect is close to the pilaf … Continue reading

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Recipe: Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad)

This is a good way to use up over-ripe late season tomatoes, stale sourdough bread and whatever else you might have on hand. Serves 6. Ingredients (basic): 1 lb or so stale sourdough bread, Italian or other sturdy white loaf … Continue reading

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Recipe: Ultimate Blender Gazpacho

I love this “salad in a cup” and I have to say my easy blender gazpacho version is the best I’ve found. It’s worth investing in some good sherry vinegar, which you can find here. 8 servings. Ingredients: 1 pound … Continue reading

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Recipe: Grilled Shishito Peppers

I did not realize until I found this article that shishitos and padrons are two different varieties. Both have just enough heat to be interesting. Shishito peppers are pointy and slim while padrons are more bell-shaped. Shishitos are also much … Continue reading

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Recipe: Boiled Okra

This is the basic way we cook okra down south, and it’s pretty hard core. It produces the notorious sliminess which is loved by southerners and reviled by anyone north of the Mason-Dixon line. Try to buy younger, smaller pieces … Continue reading

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Recipe: Pickled Beets

I followed the pickled beets recipe in Food in Jars, which is an excellent source of canning advice, but reduced the sugar content significantly. These are nice with arugula or green lettuce, blue cheese and glazed walnuts and a mustardy … Continue reading

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Recipe: Mediterranean Carrot Mezze

Make this easy carrot mezzo a day ahead. It will definitely taste better. It can then sit around a couple of days in the refrigerator until you want to serve it as part of an assortment in the Mediterranean/middle eastern way. … Continue reading

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