Category Archives: Side Dishes

Shallot Yogurt

Shallot Yogurt Dip

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Angela| Leave a comment

Not that tzatziki is all that hard to make, but when I have even less in the fridge than I need for that, I turn to this shallot yogurt. It is beyond a delight, providing refreshing coolness to whatever you deign to serve with it. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Easy to Prepare, Recipes, Sauces and Condiments, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Israeli Cucumber Salad

Israeli Cucumber Salad

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Angela| Leave a comment

This salad is too cool for school – it just stares you down like it’s the reason that your life is spectacular and you should adore it as such. The recipe is wicked simple – just a little chopping and a light vinaigrette of olive oil and lemon juice to hold it all together. Continue reading →

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Posted in Easy to Prepare, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegan Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Angela| Leave a comment

I still go back to this recipe for the winning combination of flavors and the lack of pre-processed ingredients used to make it. This is no TGIF Frozen Spinach Dip in the freezer aisle of the grocery store. Shallots and garlic flavor the creamy dip and bring out the sweetness of the spinach and artichokes. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Baked Goods, Cheese Dishes, Easy to Prepare, Holiday Dishes, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Ginger Cranberry Chutney

Ginger Cranberry Chutney

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

Upon reading through Amanda Hesser’s NYT Cookbook, I came across a chutney recipe that seemed to contain all of my favorite fall flavors. I decided to tweak it a bit and again make crystalized ginger the star of the show. The result was a lush, bright sauce that served the perfect stand-in for that canned cranberry nonsense. Continue reading →

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Posted in Easy to Prepare, Holiday Dishes, Recipes, Sauces and Condiments, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving for Trust Fund Babies, Vegan Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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greenbeans

Sauteed String Beans with Garlic

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

Although this is barely a recipe, it can be construed as a damn good feast all by its lonesome. String beans honestly don’t need a whole lot of dressing up in order to be brilliant, and this recipe is the perfect proof of that. Garlic, butter and olive oil form a dressing for the tender crisp beans, showcasing their sweetness. Why mess with perfection? Continue reading →

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Posted in Easy to Prepare, Holiday Dishes, Recipes, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving for Trust Fund Babies, Vegetarian Dishes

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Oyster Rockefeller Dressing

Oyster Rockefeller Dressing

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

This particular stuffing recipe, a part of my Thanksgiving for Trust Fund Babies menu, is a riff on Oysters Rockefeller. The stuffing is enlivened by smoky bacon, sweet shallots and spinach, with a shot of sherry and a sprinkle of parmesan to seal the deal. It’s a gorgeous addition to any Thanksgiving meal, but because of the cost of the oysters, one to save for people that you really adore. Continue reading →

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Posted in Holiday Dishes, Impressive Dishes, Seafood Dishes, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving for Trust Fund Babies

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Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Crumble

Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Grand Marnier Pecan Crumble

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

In this upgrade to candied yams, Grand Marnier brings the sweetness of orange, and butter toasted pecans turn into a gooey crumble that turns this from a social to an out-and-out party. Continue reading →

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Posted in Easy to Prepare, Holiday Dishes, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving for Trust Fund Babies, Vegetarian Dishes

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Truffled Mashed Potatoes

Truffled Mashed Potatoes

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Angela| 2 Comments

This recipe is the kind of trouble that you want to get into. It takes the comfort that is a warm bowl of fluffy mashed potatoes, keeps the butter and cream quotient high, but then flings it into the stratosphere or mischief with the addition of white truffle oil. Oh man, is this where it’s at. Continue reading →

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Posted in Easy to Prepare, Holiday Dishes, Impressive Dishes, Recipes, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving for Trust Fund Babies, Vegetarian Dishes

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Crab Rangoon

Crab Rangoon with Sweet Chili Sauce

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

If you love crab rangoon, but hate how many places use artificial crab meat, or worse, only cream cheese, then this is the recipe for you. Tender crab is perked up by sesame oil, ground ginger and the crunch of water chestnuts, with just enough cream cheese to bind it all together. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Cheese Dishes, Easy to Prepare, Enchanted Tiki Party, Seafood Dishes, Side Dishes

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Herbed Caramelized Onion Focaccia

Herbed Focaccia with Caramelized Onions

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Angela| 2 Comments

Good bread, and I mean the kind that meets the rigorous demands of the title of penultimate comfort food, makes me get into all sorts of trouble. A perfectly crusty baguette that’s airy on the inside baguette goes from obsession to nonexistence in a matter of seconds. But even better, a fluffy square of toothsome focaccia worth making out with – that, my darlings, is where it’s at. Correction – where I’m at. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Baked Goods, Breakfast and Brunch, Easy to Prepare, Recipes, Side Dishes, Soup to Stock to Consomme, Vegetarian Dishes

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Green Salad with Lazy Vinaigrette

Green Salad with Lazy Vinaigrette

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

The art of the homemade vinaigrette is essential for every cook, but is truly as complicated as boiling water. With all the hype that we place on pre-made salad dressings, there’s a need for a call to action with this simple salad topper. You simply twirl a bit of fruity olive oil and bright vinegar around a large bowl and toss. Done. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appam and Curry Feast, Easy to Prepare, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Appam (Sri Lankan Coconut Rice Pancakes)

Appam (Sri Lankan Coconut Rice Pancakes)

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Angela| 4 Comments

These pancakes are very similar to the Southern Indian dosa (lentil pancakes) that are served here in this country, with the added boon that they are flavored with lush coconut. They are perfect for sopping up curry or, better yet, filled with potatoes and peas and folded like a quesadilla. Better yet, they are vegan and gluten free, making them perfect for parties where you have eaters with dietary restrictions. A party is much sexier when all can partake. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appam and Curry Feast, Appetizers and Small Plates, Side Dishes, Vegan Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Cilantro Chutney

Cilantro Chutney

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

This palate pleaser is a mere trip in the food processor – blending fresh ginger, cilantro and jalapeno peppers into submission. Trickle in a little water to smooth to a paste and season with salt and you are done. Ridiculously good. New best friend kind of good. Christmas morning good. Ok, you get the drift. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appam and Curry Feast, Easy to Prepare, Sauces and Condiments, Side Dishes, Vegan Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Spiced Basmati

Spiced Basmati Rice

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

Soaking your basmati before cooking is essential – let soak for 5 minutes and then rinse away the water and drain. This is essential for producing a fluffy pot of rice. Also, aromatics are key – cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, cloves and cumin seeds should all be invited to the party. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appam and Curry Feast, Easy to Prepare, Rice Dishes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

Curried Potatoes and Chickpeas

Curried Potatoes and Chickpeas

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

This recipe uses mango powder, a spice I’d never worked with before that is gloriously tart and floral. If you can seek some out from your Indian grocer or world market, it’s well worth your time. The resulting sauce created from the simmered chickpeas is sumptuous, great for sopping up with some appam or naan. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appam and Curry Feast, Easy to Prepare, Main Courses, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes

Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

These little gems, the size of grapes, were screaming to be tossed in some good olive oil, herbes des provence and coarse grey sea salt. Because of their petite size, these potatoes are already crinkly skinned on the outside and buttery soft in the inside, all in 15 minutes. Continue reading →

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Posted in Baked Goods, Easy to Prepare, Side Dishes, Vegan Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Creamed Spinach

Creamed Spinach

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

Some versions of creamed spinach have you make a bechamel, leveraging the butter and flour to thicken milk. Others simply use heavy cream to lightly dress the spinach. I go for a combination of the two, and add the smallest bit of pecorino romano to round out the nutty flavor of the nutmeg. Shallots and garlic bring it all home, helping to make this a dish to remember. Continue reading →

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Posted in Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Littleneck Clams with Chorizo and Garlic

Littleneck Clams with Chorizo and Garlic

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

Clams are more expensive than they used to be (and certainly more expensive than mussels), so the addition of chorizo and garlic seem to extend the meal quite a bit with the creation of a sumptuous wine sauce. I’ve seen many other recipes serve this over pasta, but we enjoy it with plenty of bread for mopping up every last bit of sauce. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Easy to Prepare, Main Courses, Meat Dishes, Recipes, Seafood Dishes, Side Dishes

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Tabbouleh

Simple Tabbouleh

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Angela| 2 Comments

Traditionally made with bulgar that is soaked until tender, I’ve been known to shave a bit of time off the prep work by using whole wheat couscous. Parsley and tomato are standard, but feel free to experiment with the other greenery and veg – my favorite is the inclusion of crisp cucumber and slivers of scallions, along with plenty of mint to keep the flavors cool and fresh. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Green Chile Bean Dip

Green Chile Bean Dip

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

This tasty dip comprised of refried beans, green chiles and shredded cheese is too easy to be as good as it is. And yet, 9 times out of 10, if I’m at my parents house rummaging through their pantry for a bite of something, I’ll end up making this dip. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Cheese Dishes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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