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: Tomato Aspic

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Burnt My Fingers

You can’t get past the first serving station at the Highland Park Cafeteria without encountering an array of tempting congeals. Tomato aspic is one of my favorites. This prep is sure to warm the heart of anyone with roots in … Continue reading →

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Recipe: Mock Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Burnt My Fingers

Real green papaya can be hard to come by, hence the workarounds. The flavor base of this is very strong and good so experiment until you get a vegetable combination you like. Serves 4-6. Ingredients: 4 c cabbage (½ head), … Continue reading →

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Recipe: Curtido (Salvadorean-style cole slaw)

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Burnt My Fingers

Curtido is the slaw that’s served on the side with pupusas (Salvadorean-style stuffed tortillas). It’s a bit intense to eat on its own, but that intensity makes it ideal for any recipe where you want to add the crunch of cabbage … Continue reading →

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Recipe: Scrapple Croutons

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Burnt My Fingers

These morsels marry the crunch of a crouton with the porky unctuousness of bacon—what’s not to like? Scrapple is very delicate until it reaches its final cooked state, however, so follow the instructions carefully. ½ pound of scrapple will produce … Continue reading →

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Recipe: Kale Caesar Salad with Creamy Dressing

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Burnt My Fingers

Here’s a creamy Caesar dressing without eggs or mayo that can sit on the picnic table without turning into a petri dish. Toss with some sturdy kale for a salad that’s actually better if you prep it an hour or … Continue reading →

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Recipe: The Colonel’s KFC Three-Bean Salad

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Burnt My Fingers

I miss the KFC three-bean salad they used to serve at the Colonel’s. Luckily, this recipe is a dead ringer. Makes enough for a tailgate party, about 16 servings. Ingredients: 15.5-oz can kidney beans 15.5-oz can green beans (cross cut … Continue reading →

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Recipe: Baked Beans from Scratch

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Burnt My Fingers

It isn’t hard to make a pot of classic sweet-and-sour baked beans starting from dried beans. This is a base recipe which you might make once, then fine-tune to your preferences on future renditions. Serves 8-12. Ingredients: 1 lb dried … Continue reading →

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Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Vinegar

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Burnt My Fingers

My late father-in-law loved brussels sprouts with vinegar. He’d probably consider the addition of anchovies a nutty stunt, but the flavors go very well together. Serves 4. Ingredients: 1 lb. brussels sprouts 1 T bacon fat 2 salted anchovy fillets … Continue reading →

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Recipe: Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Burnt My Fingers

Ingredients: 1 c finely chopped celery ½ c chopped onion ½ c margarine or butter 1 t dried sage leaves, crushed ½ t Kosher salt 8 c dried cubes of bread ¾ c water or chicken or turkey stock Method: … Continue reading →

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Recipe: Easy Baked Beans

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Burnt My Fingers

Supermarket baked beans are pretty boring, but it’s easy to amp them up to something delicious. Makes 6 1/2 cup servings; just increase everything proportionately if you buy a bigger can of beans. Ingredients: 28-oz can house-brand baked beans (the … Continue reading →

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