Grains + Sides

Side dishes, grains, pasta, vegetables, anything you’d have for a side dish!

Pasta with Tomatoes, Pancetta and Herbs

Pasta In Tomatoes, Pancetta and Herbs

Here’s a recipe that’s part of my April 2023 TU story. See the whole thing here. This is a recipe that is good for serving to young people (read: it has carbohydrates and meat) and all the other generations, too. This is a mostly-pantry-staple meal, made with simple ingredients and […]

Patatas Bravas with Saffron Alioli

Patatas Bravas with Saffron Aloili

This recipe is part of my February TU story, and goes alone with Olive Salad, Spanish Style and Banana and Nutella Empanadas. Paul and I feasted on potatoes while we were in Madrid and had them at nearly every meal, in every conceivable way. There were the beloved potato chips. […]

Za’atar

  Makes ½ cup ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds 2 tablespoons dried sumac (see note) 1 tablespoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon each marjoram and oregano Stir together the ingredients and keep tightly closed in a glass jar. Keeps for 3 months.  Note: Sumac is a dried ground berry with a […]

Sweet Potato Hash with Za’atar

Serves 4 Olive oil 1 small red onion, peeled and chopped 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes Kosher salt 2 tablespoons water 2 slices pastrami, cut ½-inch thick (ask a deli clerk to help with this) 1 tablespoon za’atar  4 fried eggs In a large skillet, heat […]

Smoky Sweet Potato Soup

Smoky Sweet Potato Soup

From my November 2021 Thanksgiving Times Union story. Read it here. I think a pot of soup is a nice touch to a Thanksgiving spread. The day can be long and alongside the cheeses and dips and nibbly things we put out during the day, a cup of hot soup […]

Beet Tabbouleh with Feta and Quinoa

Beet Tabbouleh with Feta and Quinoa

I wrote this recipe in June of 2020, to go along with a story about talking to your family at the dinner table. Those conversations aren’t always easy, but they’re necessary. Read the Times Union story here (their site), or here (mine). There were also recipes for Rice and Beans […]

Roasted Red Cabbage with Pistachios and Olives

Roasted Red Cabbage with Pistachios + Olives

Here’s a beautiful recipe for cabbage that’s not cole slaw. It’s part of my Times Union story from December 2020. You can read it all here (the TU version) or here (mine). It went long with recipes for Roasted Red Pepper Soup and Chocolate Sweet Potato Spice Cake. I love […]