Sides

Baked Potatoes

A simple old classic that suffers from poor technique. A good baked potato is simply delicious, and serves as a base limitless variations.

Black Beans

This is a traditional pot of black beans with onions, garlic and Mexican herbs. It’s flexible, and a couple of smoked pork hocks added to the pot make it a full meal. A couple of whole jalapenos (with slits cut through them) works well in place of the chiles pequins (which can be hard to find).

Braised Radishes with Raspberry Vinegar

If you’re looking for an interesting vegetable side-dish, this unusual recipe will fit the bill. And it’s good, I promise! Cooked radishes have a firm-tender texture something like a cooked turnip, but the flavor is much superior. Raspberry vinegar is worth seeking out for this, but red wine vinegar makes a reasonable substitute.

Carrots Braised in Butter

This preparation couldn’t be more simple, but it perfectly highlights the goodness of carrots themselves. An easy side dish for almost anything.

Curried Carrots

Carrots and curry powder are an unexpectedly magical combination.

Episcopal Green Beans

Despite their name, you need not be a bishop or even an Episcopalian to enjoy these. This is my version of a dish that was served annually at the parish Thanksgiving dinner of the Episcopal Church in Brenham, Texas. I found it years ago in an old community cookbook.

Fancy Green Bean Casserole

This is a gussied-up version of the traditional green bean casserole: fresh green beans, crème fraîche and sauteed mushrooms instead of canned cream of mushroom soup, bacon and Gruyere for added savoriness, and buttered breadcrumbs instead of canned French fried onions.

French Fries

Perfect French fries — crusty and golden on the outside with creamy interiors — can be produced at home, but it requires planning and careful attention to detail. The initial frying can be done early in the day, so that only the final flash-frying need be done right before serving.

Gratin Dauphinois

I’m certain that this is the most delicious potato dish ever conceived.