Side Dish

4106 recipes found

Squash Casserole
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Sep 2, 2020

Squash Casserole

“Why don’t you just cook something that tastes really good?” Julia Reed’s mother said that, chiding her daughter, a writer of uncommon style and wit who used to contribute food essays and recipes to The New York Times Magazine. Her mother thought Ms. Reed spent too much time thinking about complicated, over-the-top recipes at the expense of simple, honest American cooking that draws compliments not because it looks amazing, but because it’s delicious. Like, for example, this recipe, for what Julia called in a 2002 article, “the best squash casserole on the planet Earth.” The ingredients are by no means fancy — summer squash, jalapeño, white bread, Ritz crackers, eggs and Cheddar — but they combine in mysterious and marvelous ways to deliver a perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken or a weekend roast.

1h8 to 10 servings
Toasted Millet Salad With Cucumber, Avocado and Lemon
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Aug 11, 2020

Toasted Millet Salad With Cucumber, Avocado and Lemon

Cooked millet has a taste and aroma that’s subtly reminiscent of raw hazelnuts, and as with hazelnuts, toasting millet first really deepens its flavor. If you want to work ahead, toast and cook the millet, set aside and toss in the other ingredients when ready. Sharp mint leaves, creamy avocado, crisp cucumbers and bright lemon really round out this dish, which makes a lovely side dish, an afternoon snack or the base of a protein-focused grain bowl. Millet is marvelous, but a wide variety of grains will work just as well.

45m4 servings
Smacked Cucumber ‘Quick Kimchi’
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Jul 8, 2020

Smacked Cucumber ‘Quick Kimchi’

This is not a traditional kimchi, but it approximates the flavor profile, bypassing a lengthier fermentation and instead relying on vinegar. Considered a muchim in Korean — which can refer to any number of “seasoned” or “dressed” salads or other preparations — this dish is best eaten right away, or at least within 24 hours, while cucumber’s characteristic crunch is still intact. The smacking step creates craggy edges that help better absorb the spicy, funky dressing, so don’t skip it. If you can, place a bowl under the colander in Step 1 to catch the cucumber brine; it tastes fabulous in a martini. Enjoy this as a side salad alongside any grilled main dish, especially steak, or any type of barbecue. For a vegetarian option, you can swap out the fish sauce for soy sauce.

40m2 to 2 1/2 cups
Roti
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Mar 11, 2020

Roti

Roti is a basic, everyday bread, but making it takes a lot of skill. The dough is kneaded with just enough water to bring it together and keep it soft and pliable. And though it’s not yeasted, a ball of well-mixed and -rested dough will be supple and almost spongy, as if it were. Cooks who are used to making roti at home can roll out thin, round disks that puff up as if by magic. But the real magic of roti is how a few of them can turn anything — a little kheema, or a few spoonfuls of aloo masala — into a satisfying meal.

30m12 roti
Kaddu (Sweet and Sour Butternut Squash)
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Dec 16, 2019

Kaddu (Sweet and Sour Butternut Squash)

This cozy vegetable main is an ode to earthy, maple-y fenugreek, a staple spice of Indian cooking that is a perfect match for the mild sweetness of butternut squash. Normally roasted, butternut squash is gently stewed here with ginger, onion, turmeric, tomatoes and brown sugar, bringing out a unique and addictive sweet-and-sour flavor. Kaddu is traditionally paired with puri, a type of fried bread, but roti, tortillas and even toast work well with this bright and hearty one-pot dish.

25m4 servings
Chimichurri
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Oct 30, 2019

Chimichurri

Chimichurri is a herbaceous and vinegary sauce from Argentina that’s classically paired with grilled meats, especially beef, but its uses don't end there. You can combine it with a dollop of mayonnaise to marinate chicken cutlets. (That same mayo-and-chimichurri mixture makes an excellent potato salad dressing, or toss it with sliced scallions and grilled or boiled corn cut from the cob.) Combine chimichurri with equal parts olive oil to use as a marinade and dressing for grilled vegetables. Add a few crushed cloves of garlic to that same mixture, brush it on a split ciabatta or baguette, and grill or broil it for an oregano-packed take on garlic bread. It may be tempting to think of a chimichurri as a sort of Argentine parallel to Italian pesto, but it is not: While pesto is made in a mortar and pestle and emulsified into a creamy mixture with a base mostly comprised of olive oil, chimichurri is made with chopped dried herbs that are steeped in hot salty water (the brine is called salmuera) and vinegar, with less olive oil added. Its texture comes from the dried herbs rehydrating in salt water. Chimichurri can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks; it will lose its bright green color, but it will improve in flavor with time.

35mAbout 1 cup
Cider-Glazed Brussels Sprouts
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Oct 29, 2019

Cider-Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Simple roasted brussels sprouts get an autumnal upgrade when they are tossed with a tangy, sweet glaze made from apple cider, apple cider vinegar and mustard. If you’re making these for Thanksgiving, make the glaze (see Tip) and trim the brussels sprouts in advance, then pop the sprouts into the oven while the turkey rests. Note that this recipe is easily doubled for larger groups: Just use a larger skillet for the sauce and two sheet pans for the sprouts.

40m6 servings
Tahini-Glazed Carrots
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Sep 16, 2019

Tahini-Glazed Carrots

A little sweet from date syrup, creamy from tahini and very tangy from plenty of lemon juice, this roasted carrot dish — adapted from Adeena Sussman’s cookbook “Sababa” — has charisma to spare. It’s also extremely easy to make. While the carrots roast with olive oil and cumin, all you do is whisk together a simple glaze from pantry ingredients. If you don’t have the date syrup on hand, maple syrup works just as well, making the dish slightly sweeter but no less compelling.

35m4 servings
Sheveed Polo (Dill Rice)
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May 29, 2019

Sheveed Polo (Dill Rice)

This dish is a simple way to make use of a whole bunch of dill and transform an ordinary pot of plain rice. Naz Deravian, the author of “Bottom of the Pot: Persian Recipes and Stories” (Flatiron Books, 2018), uses a mix of fresh and dried dill here. The dried dill enhances the fragrance and also draws out the humidity from the fresh dill so the rice doesn’t turn mushy when steaming. This recipe uses a traditional Persian technique for cooking rice in which you boil the rice for several minutes over high heat, wrap the lid in a kitchen towel to catch the condensation, then steam the rice over low heat for several minutes more. Don't worry; it won't be overcooked. It will be fluffy perfection. Serve it with chicken or seafood, like this roasted dill salmon.

45m6 servings
Takeout-Style Sesame Noodles
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May 1, 2019

Takeout-Style Sesame Noodles

Noodles dressed with sesame are popular in many parts of China, but this particular style, made with peanut butter and served cold, became a Chinese-American staple in the United States in the 1970s. The family of Shorty Tang — an ambitious restaurateur who emigrated from Sichuan to Taipei to New York — firmly believes that he invented the dish and still serve it at Hwa Yuan, the restaurant he opened in 1967 in Manhattan’s Chinatown. They have never divulged the exact recipe; this is our own lush but refreshing version.

10m4 servings
Spiced Chickpea Salad With Tahini and Pita Chips
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May 1, 2019

Spiced Chickpea Salad With Tahini and Pita Chips

This main-course salad has all the fresh flavors of a great falafel sandwich — tahini, mint, paprika, cucumber, cumin, garlic — plus the crunch of pita and the satisfying heft of chickpeas. The vegetarian cookbook writer Hetty McKinnon created this recipe, and the amount of olive oil she calls for might seem excessive. Don’t hold back: After cooking the chickpeas, the oil becomes part of the garlicky, paprika-warmed dressing for the finished dish. You could make her recipe even easier by using salad greens instead of cooked greens as the base.

1h4 main-course servings
Air-Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Garlic, Balsamic and Soy
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Apr 3, 2019

Air-Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Garlic, Balsamic and Soy

Brussels sprouts are quite possibly the best vegetable you can make in an air fryer; the leaves turn brittle and delightfully crunchy. Here they are paired with slivers of garlic, which turn into pungent golden chips as they fry. Then the whole thing is dressed with a mix of balsamic vinegar that’s been simmered until thickened, then seasoned with lime juice for freshness and soy sauce for complexity. Serve this as a side dish, or as snack with drinks; just make sure to have plenty of napkins on hand.

20m3 to 4 servings
Baked Barley Risotto With Mushrooms and Carrots
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Feb 12, 2019

Baked Barley Risotto With Mushrooms and Carrots

Wholesome and nutty, barley is a superb alternative to arborio rice in this risotto, since it’s naturally plump and chewy when cooked. The grated Parmesan and butter stirred in at the end release the barley’s starches, creating a silky, creamy texture. Make sure to use pearl barley, not hulled, since it cooks much faster and is more tender. As for the mushrooms, white button, cremini and earthy shiitakes are a tasty, accessible mix, though any combination of oyster, king trumpet and maitake would raise the bar. Still, the best thing about this risotto, which is a satisfying vegetarian weeknight dinner (or side to any large roast or fish) is that it’s baked, taking away the pressure of constant stirring at the stove.

45m4 servings
Oven Bacon
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Jan 14, 2019

Oven Bacon

Cooking bacon in the oven gives you perfectly crispy slices without any flipping or fussing, and the cleanup is superspeedy. It’s also the best way to make bacon for a crowd. You can cook the bacon directly on aluminum foil-lined baking sheets or on a wire rack set on top of the baking sheets. The latter method will give you extra crispy bacon, but you'll have to wash that greasy rack. Your choice! (To make bacon in an air-fryer, try our air-fryer bacon recipe.)

20m4 to 8 servings
Ginger-Cauliflower Soup
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Jan 9, 2019

Ginger-Cauliflower Soup

This simple soup, steeped with ginger and lemongrass, features a bright relish of lime zest, fresh ginger and scallions. The topping offsets the subtle, sensible cauliflower, and the soup is deceptively luxurious thanks to the addition of potato, which adds a natural creaminess. Serve with a crusty sourdough loaf or some thick slices of buttered toast.

35m4 servings
Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese
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Dec 12, 2018

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Think Stouffer's without the freezer. While it can be enjoyed straight from the pot, this macaroni and cheese has a slightly looser sauce than the stovetop variety to allow for thickening in the oven. Bread crumbs, while optional, make it truly spectacular.

1h4 to 6 servings
Arugula Salad With Anchovy Dressing
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Nov 7, 2018

Arugula Salad With Anchovy Dressing

Peppery, crisp arugula stands up nicely to the punch of this garlicky, anchovy-filled dressing. You can adjust the dressing’s pungency by adding more or fewer anchovies. The dressing will keep for a few days in the fridge, but the oil will solidify, so remember to take it out at least an hour before serving, and shake it really well.

10m12 servings
Roasted Duck Fat Potatoes
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Nov 7, 2018

Roasted Duck Fat Potatoes

Duck fat adds incredible richness to roasted potatoes, which are layered here with fresh thyme and whole garlic cloves. If you are making this for Thanksgiving, throw the pan on the rack under the turkey when you first start roasting your bird, then reheat the potatoes at 350 degrees while your turkey rests.

1h8 to 10 servings
Brioche Chestnut Stuffing
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Nov 7, 2018

Brioche Chestnut Stuffing

Stuffing with made from eggy brioche and roasted chestnuts is a Thanksgiving classic. This one, seasoned with celery, onion and sage, and a little diced fennel for sweetness and depth, sticks relatively close to tradition. Use it to stuff a turkey, if you like, but it’s even better baked separately in a shallow casserole dish, so the top can get nice and crisp. If you’d like to bake it ahead, you can do so up to 6 hours in advance. Just before serving, reheat it in a 350-degree oven.

2h8 to 10 servings
Broccoli With Fried Shallots and Olives
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Nov 7, 2018

Broccoli With Fried Shallots and Olives

The fried shallots on top of this dish make it seem a little like a baked green-bean casserole, but with broccoli as the starring vegetable. Olives and thinly sliced garlic give it verve, contrasting nicely with the sweetness of the shallots. You can cook the broccoli and fry the shallots a day ahead. Store the broccoli in the refrigerator, bringing to room temperature before serving; keep the fried shallots in a paper towel-lined container or a jar with an airtight lid. If they wilt, you can crisp them back up by popping them briefly in the oven. Be sure to save the shallot-flavored oil to use for sautéeing the garlic and olives right before serving.

25m8 to 10 servings
Cranberry-Pomegranate Relish
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Nov 7, 2018

Cranberry-Pomegranate Relish

This twist on the classic orange-and-walnut-studded cranberry relish has pomegranate and pistachios, which fleck the intense red berries with bits of green. You can make the cranberry mixture a day ahead, but don’t add the nuts and pomegranate seeds until just before serving to preserve the crunch.

10mAbout 2 cups
Garlic Bread
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Oct 22, 2018

Garlic Bread

You may have once struggled with dry or greasy breads reeking of burned or raw garlic, but it's time to put that behind you. This is a versatile recipe, as readily made with thin baguettes, as it is with rustic sourdoughs and airy Italian loaves. Cutting the bread like a Hasselback potato keeps the butter from seeping out and allows the garlic to infuse the bread with its flavor without scorching. But, if it's an extra cheesy garlic bread you're looking for, slip a little mozzarella into each slit.

30m1 loaf
Roasted Cauliflower With Feta, Almonds and Olives
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Oct 10, 2018

Roasted Cauliflower With Feta, Almonds and Olives

Roasted cauliflower is a pure delight, but tossing it with feta, toasted almonds and olives makes it even better. The additions come together while the cauliflower roasts, allowing you to assemble this side in no time. If almonds aren't available, walnuts or hazelnuts are good substitutions. This dish works well served warm, but it's equally good at room temperature if you want to make it ahead. Serve with grilled pork chops or pan-seared chicken thighs with lemon and herbs, or fold it into cooked grains, such farro or rice, for a hearty grain salad.

30m4 servings
Lemony Mashed Potatoes With Asparagus, Almonds and Mint
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Apr 11, 2018

Lemony Mashed Potatoes With Asparagus, Almonds and Mint

Sautéing asparagus in butter and oil, rather than boiling it in water, locks much of the flavor inside. The asparagus could be served without the lemony mashed potatoes, or the other way around, but together they make a glorious side dish to roasted chicken, fish or spring lamb. Alternatively, adding a poached egg or two to each plate will turn this into a substantial vegetarian meal.

35m6 side-dish servings