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Side Dishes

Cheesy Baked Grits

A kind of carbo-licious porridge made from dried and coarsely ground corn, grits are to Southern cuisine what potatoes are to Northern cuisine – a deeply satisfying staple. These days we’re starting to see grits all over the country.  Oftentimes, they’ll show up at breakfast seasoned with salt and pepper,…

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The Smoothest Mashed Potatoes

I’ve made mountains of mashed potatoes in my little life by faithfully adhering to the method I learned in cooking school. And I’ve always been reasonably happy with the results. But really, how far wrong can you go with potatoes, butter, and cream? Who cares if the mashed potatoes are…

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Fried Rice Puppies

1 cup long grain white rice 2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper 1 can (10.5 ounce) French onion soup 1 tablespoon butter 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup dry bread crumbs oil for frying, preferably rice bran oil In a…

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Cut Up Salad

Serves 8 1 ½ cups avocado, peeled and cut into medium chunks, chilled 1 ½ cups papaya peeled and cut into medium chunks, chilled 1 ½ cups ripe mango, peeled, pitted and cut into medium chunks, chilled Feel free to add our substitute the fruits as nature avails them! Bibb…

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Brussels Sprouts Sauteed with Pancetta and Balsamic

Photo by Jessica Liebowitz If you are a Brussels sprouts hater this recipe will turn you into a believer. The trouble with the usual cooking methods for Brussels sprouts –boiling, steaming, even sautéing- is that by the time the center of this tiny cabbage cousin becomes tender it has also…

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Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Yogurt and Toasted Cumin Seed Dressing

photo by Jessica Leibowitz This salad would go especially well with a spicy dish because it has sugar and dairy in it which naturally tame a chiles’s heat.  But it would also be a delightful side dish to any fish, poultry, or meat dish. Makes 4 servings Hands-on time: 15…

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My Favorite Summer Salad

Here is the very loose recipe: Beefsteak tomatoes, sliced and salted lightly on both sides for 15 minutes, then patted dry layered with sliced avocado and mozzarella, drizzled either with vinaigrette or just excellent olive oil, and topped with shredded basil. Plus a mound of grilled corn tossed with minced jalapeno,…

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Ruthie’s Summer Camp Zucchini

When my daughter Ruthie was six, she started attending “summer camp,” which was actually extended day care based out of the house of a teacher she’d come to know and love. There were only four kids in the camp and they did all sorts of fun things. Of course I…

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Butter Steamed Broccoli with Soy Sauce

This is a quick and easy way to cook broccoli in a large skillet. Try this method with any of your favorite vegetables.  Makes 4 servings Hands-on time: 10 minutes Total preparation time: 16 minutes 1 large head broccoli 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon soy sauce Kosher salt and…

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Celery and Parsley Salad with Shaved Parmesan and Toasted Walnuts

Too many of us Americans think of parsley as no more than a garnish.  The Italians know better. This salad is a tasty demonstration of the ability of parsley to command the center of the plate. Toss it with some celery, lemon juice, olive oil, walnuts, and freshly shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano,…

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Parmigiano-Reggiano Couscous

Couscous, which is already a very tasty weeknight side dish option, becomes that much more exciting with the addition of chicken broth and freshly grated cheese. Makes 4 to 6 servings Hands- on time: 5 minutes Total preparation time: 10 minutes 2 cups chicken broth 2 tablespoons unsalted butter One…

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Sauteed Shredded Beets with Balsamic Vinegar

In this recipe you peel and grate the beets while they are still raw which cuts way down on the usual cooking time. Now just they take 3 to 4 minutes to cook rather than the usual 45. Makes 6 servings Hands-on time: 15 minutes Total preparation time: 15 minutes…

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Sauteed Sea Asparagus with Bacon and Balsamic Red Onion

Note: Various species of sea asparagus grow around the globe A succulent – its pea-green segments are plump with salt water – and it has a crisp texture and salty taste.  If you want to tone down it’s salinity you can either soak it in cold water before serving raw…

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Mama Pat’s Cedar Planked Salmon

Our spiritual connection to the fish of this region has sustained us for millennia. Sockeye or King salmon, with a hint of smoke, sweet and savory, honors the fish’s journey and nourishes our souls. We have countless ways to prepare our bounty, and this is one of my favorites. For…

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Fried Plantains (Tostones)

1 to 2 large green plantains 5 tablespoons canola or other vegetable oil or enough to reach ¼ -inch up the side of a large skillet Kosher salt Peel the plantain and slice it on the diagonal ½ – 1-inch thick. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high…

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I have been challenging myself to new baking projects and just made Gougeres from Dorie Greenspan’s recipe.

I, like you, have been challenging myself to new baking projects and here is one which made me enormously happy – Gougeres – totally addictive French cheese puffs. And it gets better – I learned from Dorie Greenspan’s recipe, gougeres can be frozen in the raw state and then just popped…

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Tostones (Fried Plantains)

    1 to 2 large green plantains 5 tablespoons canola or other vegetable oil or enough to reach ¼ -inch up the side of a large skillet Kosher salt Peel the plantain and slice it on the diagonal ½ – 1-inch thick. Heat the oil in a large skillet…

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Rice Puppies

Rice Puppies 1 cup long grain white rice 2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper 1 can (10.5 ounce) French onion soup 1 tablespoon butter 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup dry bread crumbs oil for frying, preferably rice bran oil…

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Shredded Butternut Squash with Dates and Pistachios

Start to finish: 20 minutes Hands in time: 20 minutes Servings: 4  1 medium butternut squash (1 ½ pounds) 2 medium shallots 1/3 cup shelled natural pistachios 3 large dates 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 4 large mint leaves 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice Kosher salt Cayenne pepper Peel the…

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Rawia Bishara’s Brussels Sprouts with Panko

Adapted from: Olives, Lemons & Za’atar (Kyle Books, 2014) Rawia’s Tip: If you are not a fan of frying, Brussels sprouts can be brushed with oil and oven roasted at 400°F until tender. That being said, I think fried tastes better! Start to finish: 40 minutes Hands-on time: 40 minutes…

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Simple Boiled Rice

Makes 4 to 6 servings Hands-on time: 3 minutes Total preparation time: 22 minutes Kosher salt 1 cup long grain white rice 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or to taste Freshly ground black pepper Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Gradually pour in the…

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Creamed Corn

You can make creamed corn without cream and still get just what you want from the dish: the texture of cream and the flavor of corn. In fact, creamed corn without cream is a distinct improvement on creamed corn with cream. Relying on the corn’s own starch for thickening guarantees that…

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Radish and Orange Salad with Peppery Orange Dressing

Radishes don’t get enough love in this country and I have no idea why. They are both peppery and sweet, crunchy, and quite refreshing. Teamed up with oranges, arugula, and olives, they make a great side salad. By the way, The best way to slice radishes is with a food…

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Grilled Potato and Corn Salad with Chipotle Mayonnaise

The corn in this salad should be grilled, but what’s the best way to do it? In the husk? With some of the husk removed? Stripped naked? My wholehearted vote is for the “naked” or fully husked, method, which creates an unbeatable toasted popcorn flavor. The secret ingredients here are…

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