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: Aji Roja (Mild Red Chile Sauce Peruvian-Style)

This is one of two sauces I served with my anticuchos. Aji Roja has a mild chili/smoke flavor and invites generous squirting onto tacos or alongside grilled meats. A Peruvian classic, it’s possibly the inspiration for the “Tacolicious” sauce which … Continue reading

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Recipe: Carrot Pineapple Jello

I was going to share my family’s Southern recipe for carrot pineapple jello, until I found this version which really is superior. I’ve only made minor tweaks for better management of proportions. Serves 8. Ingredients: 1 3-oz package jello, lemon … Continue reading

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Recipe: Mamo’s Carrot Raisin Slaw

Carrot raisin slaw is a very good and very simple recipe that often made its appearance at holiday buffets when I was growing up in Dallas. Serves 8-12. Ingredients: 4 c grated carrots 1 c raisins/currants/golden raisins in any combination ¼ … Continue reading

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Recipe: Tunisian Chickpea Salad

This chickpea salad is my reverse engineering of the wonderful Tunisian salad from Healthy Living Market. The flavors and textures are nicely balanced and the unexpected spices (ground coriander and caraway) add a note of mystery. Serves 8. Ingredients: 2 … Continue reading

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Recipe: Carol’s Brussels Sprout Slaw

My wife improvised this very well balanced Brussels sprout slaw. The interplay of the Parmesan cheese, lemon juice and olive oil is particularly nice. Serves 4. Ingredients: 2 c Brussels sprouts, shredded with a knife or mandoline 1 carrot, peeled … Continue reading

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Recipe: Texas-Style Greens

My prep for Texas-style greens is very similar to black-eyed peas in that the secret to flavor is starting with a rich broth that has a good amount of fat. Unlike some, I don’t like to drown my greens in broth … Continue reading

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Recipe: Texas-Style Black-Eyed Peas

The key to good black-eyed peas is a flavorful cooking liquid, ample allium components, and a generous amount of fat. I use dried beans (vs frozen or canned) unless fresh are available. Serves 6-8. Ingredients: ½ lb dried black-eyed peas … Continue reading

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Recipe: Orchid’s Chinese-Style Cold Noodles

UPDATED: This is a great dish to take to a party… tangy, spicy and subtly sweet. Based on the “Orchid’s Noodles” recipe in Barbara Tropp’s classic (and sadly out of print) The Modern Art of Chinese Cooking. I generally make … Continue reading

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Recipe: Italian Style Sautéed Greens

This is my go-to recipe whenever I want a robust dish of Italian-style sautéed greens as a side dish. Kale or collards are best, though I think the first I tried the recipe it was designed for spinach. Serves 6-8. … Continue reading

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Recipe: Tomatillo Jam

Try tomatillo jam instead of cranberry sauce with turkey… especially smoked turkey. It has the same balance of tart/sweet and the crunch of fruit, but with a southwestern lilt and a bit of heat. Makes 1 pint. Ingredients: 1 lb tomatillos … Continue reading

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