From Scratch

The first Thanksgiving was in 1621 and if we pretend it was observed every year thereafter, that would give us 334 years of Thanksgiving meals without green bean casserole.
For those outside the US, the five-ingredient side dish is built around a can of cream of mushroom soup and it’s estimated that it’s served in nearly 20 […]

People who know me know two things: I won’t dirty more pots, pans or bowls than I have to and if it’s a holiday meal, I like to make as much of it ahead as I can.
Thanksgiving brings the American mega-meal, of course, but I hate the  rush of finishing side dishes while the turkey rests. I […]

The first time I ate gnocchi I was about seven years old and was served them at a playmate’s house. We had a lot of fun saying the word over and over, wrinkling our noses in an exaggerated way on the “nyuh” sound. It was certainly more fun than eating them; they were leaden starch balls and altogether […]

This is a kugel for those who like their noodle puddings pure: no pineapple, no applesauce or raisins, nothing to detract from its sweet, comforting goodness. Is it dessert or a side dish?  Take your choice.
My cyber friend Sunny, who shared the recipe, agrees it can go either way and whichever way it goes, it disappears […]

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to dress up a dinner plate. This simple timbale achieves that while adding a bit of height and best of all, it can be done ahead.
This recipe is from Marlene Sorosky’s Fast & Festive Meals for the Jewish Holidays, but the cookbook is for anyone who likes good food. […]

This is a summer favorite. It’s chilled, it’s lemony-refreshing, it’s pasta and it’s a snap to make. Technically it’s a side dish, but I’ve also eaten it as a main course, adding veggies or protein to it or having it with greens or fruit salad.
When this recipe ran in The New York Times — I believe it […]

There are several dishes I took for granted in New York; they were everywhere and it never occured to me to make them at home. Cold sesame noodles are in that group. It’s almost impossible in my part of New England to find a Chinese restaurant that serves them. I found them only twice: a white-tablecloth place […]

When fresh, sweet corn is available, locally-grown or from warmer states, I make this wonderful side dish over and over. It takes little more time than the five minutes needed for the couscous, a pasta not a grain, to steep. In winter I use frozen corn and it’s almost as good. And when I haven’t got fresh chives, like […]

New Hampshire is like Ireland in this regard: if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute. Earlier this week it got cold enough at night that frost was possible. Yesterday reached the low 90’s and it’s almost as warm today.
I always enjoy a good salad, but when it’s hot I actually crave crisp, cold greens. […]

Like most people, I appreciate a side dish that takes care of itself, more or less, while I tend to other parts of the meal. When it’s fast and tasty, as this is, so much the better. I make this every other week or so, for it compliments all sorts of protein. I made it […]

I’ll come right out and say it. I hate mayonnaise. Never liked it, always hated it. To this day. Odd, perhaps, for a woman who has willingly eaten and enjoyed pigs’ feet, beef heart and wild boar, but there you have it. I am a mayo-free zone.
But I’ve never met a potato I didn’t like; […]