Salads & Side Dishes
Salads can be used as the introduction to a meal or as a meal unto itself. In either case, care should be given to the selection of ingredients. Fresh ingredients make the best dishes. Try some of these gourmet recipes to experience what salad is truly about.
Autumn Harvest Corn and Chevre Pudding
This is a wonderful savory custard. The basil and goat cheese contribute most of the flavor to this dish but you could also use other herbs or vegetables. It also is very nice with lobster or shrimp mixed in.
This is a wonderful savory custard. The basil and goat cheese contribute most of the flavor to this dish but you could also use other herbs or vegetables. It also is very nice with lobster or shrimp mixed in.
Potato Gratin Dauphinoise
Dauphinoise is the French method of baking potatoes in milk, cream and cheese. In the French region of Dauphiné, every home cook has her own formula for preparing this gratin.
Dauphinoise is the French method of baking potatoes in milk, cream and cheese. In the French region of Dauphiné, every home cook has her own formula for preparing this gratin.
Cranberry & Roasted Jalapeno Cornbread
This cornbread recipe is wonderfully moist and flavorful. Fresh cranberries, roasted jalapeno and a hint of honey create a delicious complement to poultry or pork. Or just enjoy it as a snack with a good dollop of butter!
This cornbread recipe is wonderfully moist and flavorful. Fresh cranberries, roasted jalapeno and a hint of honey create a delicious complement to poultry or pork. Or just enjoy it as a snack with a good dollop of butter!
Green Bean, Tomato, and Potato Salad with Almond and Basil Pesto
Fresh pesto is a wonderful addition to potatoes. This refreshing dish is full of flavors. This recipe calls for making pesto the classic way - smashing the ingredients together with a mortar and pestle. It won't be as fun, but you can use a food processor if you had to. Also, almonds are substituted for the traditional but sometimes hard to find pine nuts.
Fresh pesto is a wonderful addition to potatoes. This refreshing dish is full of flavors. This recipe calls for making pesto the classic way - smashing the ingredients together with a mortar and pestle. It won't be as fun, but you can use a food processor if you had to. Also, almonds are substituted for the traditional but sometimes hard to find pine nuts.
Grilled Corn and Crab Salad with Raspberries
Perfect for summer: earthy grilled corn pairs wonderfully with cool, refreshing fresh raspberries and sweet crab meat.
Perfect for summer: earthy grilled corn pairs wonderfully with cool, refreshing fresh raspberries and sweet crab meat.
Grilled Potato Salad
Here is a wonderful summer recipe for potato salad with one more excuse to use your grill. Grilling your potatoes before adding to the salad adds great flavor.
Here is a wonderful summer recipe for potato salad with one more excuse to use your grill. Grilling your potatoes before adding to the salad adds great flavor.
Serrano Ham, Pears and Haricot Vert Salad with Valdeón Cheese
This wonderfully fresh and crispy salad comes from Insalata’s Restaurant in San Anselmo, California.
This wonderfully fresh and crispy salad comes from Insalata’s Restaurant in San Anselmo, California.
Molasses Whipped Sweet Potatoes - Recipes from the 2009 Inaugural Luncheon
The tradition of the Inauguration Luncheon dates back at least a century. Approximately 200 guests including President Obama, Vice President Biden, their families, the Supreme Court, Cabinet designees, and members of Congressional leadership will attend the event in Statuary Hall. The menu by Design Cuisine is based on favorites of President Abraham Lincoln.
The tradition of the Inauguration Luncheon dates back at least a century. Approximately 200 guests including President Obama, Vice President Biden, their families, the Supreme Court, Cabinet designees, and members of Congressional leadership will attend the event in Statuary Hall. The menu by Design Cuisine is based on favorites of President Abraham Lincoln.
Sweet and Spicy Bourbon Baked Beans
Deliciously sweet with brown sugar, molasses and honey, these baked beans have a nice kick with chipotle peppers and Bourbon whiskey. The secret to good baked beans is slow cooking! After 3 hours in the oven, these beans are thick and rich!
Deliciously sweet with brown sugar, molasses and honey, these baked beans have a nice kick with chipotle peppers and Bourbon whiskey. The secret to good baked beans is slow cooking! After 3 hours in the oven, these beans are thick and rich!
Oyster & Wild Mushroom Stuffing
Land meets sea in this wonderfully flavorful stuffing recipe. Fresh oysters, wild mushrooms and lots of herbs combine for a delicious side dish. Perfect with turkey or chicken for a family dinner or holiday spread.
Land meets sea in this wonderfully flavorful stuffing recipe. Fresh oysters, wild mushrooms and lots of herbs combine for a delicious side dish. Perfect with turkey or chicken for a family dinner or holiday spread.
Lobster and Avocado Salad
Here's a great lobster recipe South Florida style. Live Maine lobsters are used with a fusion of Thai spices and Napa cabbage, arugula, red bell pepper, and avocado.
Here's a great lobster recipe South Florida style. Live Maine lobsters are used with a fusion of Thai spices and Napa cabbage, arugula, red bell pepper, and avocado.
Dungeness Crab & Potato Salad with Celery Hearts, Black Truffle, Egg & Chicory
Here's a very earthy recipe that uses the very complimentary flavors of crab, potatoes, truffles, and chicory. And yes, it's just as good if you leave off the truffles.
Here's a very earthy recipe that uses the very complimentary flavors of crab, potatoes, truffles, and chicory. And yes, it's just as good if you leave off the truffles.
Grilled Pork, Fig, and Hazelnut Salad
This dish is called a salad but really it is hearty enough to serve as a light lunch. Fresh figs match wonderfully to pork and grilling them brings out another dimension of flavor.
This dish is called a salad but really it is hearty enough to serve as a light lunch. Fresh figs match wonderfully to pork and grilling them brings out another dimension of flavor.
Blueberry and Gorgonzola Salad with Mixed Greens & Poppy Seed Dressing
This wonderfully fresh salad was created by Chef Albert Paris at Zanzibar Blue (closed), Philadelphia (now at Mantra).
This wonderfully fresh salad was created by Chef Albert Paris at Zanzibar Blue (closed), Philadelphia (now at Mantra).
Cauliflower Gratin with Prosciutto
Simple to make yet very flavorful, this cauliflower and prosciutto dish matches well with chicken or pork.
Simple to make yet very flavorful, this cauliflower and prosciutto dish matches well with chicken or pork.
Maple Syrup Baked Beans
It's essential to have a good baked bean recipe! Baked beans are a classic dish that match well with so many foods. I love this one because it includes two of my favorite ingredients: maple syrup and bacon.
It's essential to have a good baked bean recipe! Baked beans are a classic dish that match well with so many foods. I love this one because it includes two of my favorite ingredients: maple syrup and bacon.
Green Bean, Tomato, and Potato Salad with Almond and Basil Pesto
Pesto is a classic sauce made with fresh basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, and grated cheese, usually Parmesan. "It is traditionally the sauce for a pasta dish that also includes green beans and potatoes, but here the pasta has been left out and the pesto is instead served over a salad of warm cubed potatoes and green beans. In another departure from tradition, dry-roasted almonds are used in place of the pine nuts."
Pesto is a classic sauce made with fresh basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, and grated cheese, usually Parmesan. "It is traditionally the sauce for a pasta dish that also includes green beans and potatoes, but here the pasta has been left out and the pesto is instead served over a salad of warm cubed potatoes and green beans. In another departure from tradition, dry-roasted almonds are used in place of the pine nuts."
Waldorf Salad with Truffles and Candied Walnuts
You've probably had some version of a Waldorf salad at some time in your life: apples, mayonnaise, walnuts, etc. At today's Waldorf=Astoria hotel in New York City this is one of the versions currently being served in their restaurants. Created by Executive Chef John Doherty, this recipe calls for black truffles, candied walnuts, and celeriac for a truly modern taste.
You've probably had some version of a Waldorf salad at some time in your life: apples, mayonnaise, walnuts, etc. At today's Waldorf=Astoria hotel in New York City this is one of the versions currently being served in their restaurants. Created by Executive Chef John Doherty, this recipe calls for black truffles, candied walnuts, and celeriac for a truly modern taste.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chorizo
Here's a wonderful little side dish big on flavor. The strong, spicy flavors of chorizo blend nicely with the strong flavor of roasted brussel sprouts. Unforgettable. [p] Reprinted with permission from Small Plates, Perfect Wines: Creating Little Dishes with Big Flavors by Lori Lyn Narlock (Andrews McMeel 2007).
Here's a wonderful little side dish big on flavor. The strong, spicy flavors of chorizo blend nicely with the strong flavor of roasted brussel sprouts. Unforgettable. [p] Reprinted with permission from Small Plates, Perfect Wines: Creating Little Dishes with Big Flavors by Lori Lyn Narlock (Andrews McMeel 2007).
Turkey Pesto Salad
"Turkey has a heartier flavor than chicken and is complemented by the basil pesto in the mayonnaise dressing. To save preparation time, substitute prepared purchased pesto for homemade."
"Turkey has a heartier flavor than chicken and is complemented by the basil pesto in the mayonnaise dressing. To save preparation time, substitute prepared purchased pesto for homemade."
Whole Cranberry Relish with Walnuts Recipe
Here is a nice traditional cranberry relish that is delicious and simple to make. Much better than the canned variety. Cranberry relish will last up to 2 months in your fridge, so keep some on hand for topping crackers with cheddar or a turkey sandwich.
Here is a nice traditional cranberry relish that is delicious and simple to make. Much better than the canned variety. Cranberry relish will last up to 2 months in your fridge, so keep some on hand for topping crackers with cheddar or a turkey sandwich.
Cranberry-Ginger Relish Recipe
Here's a cranberry relish with a twist, crystallized ginger. The ginger gives a nice zing to cranberries and also adds an interesting textural difference. This cranberry-ginger relish makes a great side dish for turkey or pork, goes well with a nice cheddar, and also makes a wonderful condiment for a turkey sandwich or burger.
Here's a cranberry relish with a twist, crystallized ginger. The ginger gives a nice zing to cranberries and also adds an interesting textural difference. This cranberry-ginger relish makes a great side dish for turkey or pork, goes well with a nice cheddar, and also makes a wonderful condiment for a turkey sandwich or burger.
Watermelon, Basil, & Mozzarella Salad with Balsamic Syrup
Here is a delightfully refreshing salad that combines watermelon with fresh mozzarella. Basil adds an herby spiciness, while sweet balsamic syrup brings out the best flavors of both the watermelon and the mozzarella.
Here is a delightfully refreshing salad that combines watermelon with fresh mozzarella. Basil adds an herby spiciness, while sweet balsamic syrup brings out the best flavors of both the watermelon and the mozzarella.
Watermelon & Prosciutto Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
Here is a wonderfully simple salad that takes only minutes to make. Both sweet and salty, it makes a great starter for a dinner party.
Here is a wonderfully simple salad that takes only minutes to make. Both sweet and salty, it makes a great starter for a dinner party.
Pomegranate Glazed Quail Salad with Maple Cider Vinaigrette and Grille
This salad makes a nice light lunch. The sweet and savory quail matches well with fruit. The tanginess of the cheese adds a wonderful contrast. If you don't have a grill available, the broiler of your oven works just fine.
This salad makes a nice light lunch. The sweet and savory quail matches well with fruit. The tanginess of the cheese adds a wonderful contrast. If you don't have a grill available, the broiler of your oven works just fine.
Fall Fruit Salad with Apples, Pears, and Cranberries
Fall brings us a bounty of delicious fruits. Apples, pears, and cranberries make a wonderful combination. Both tart and sweet, this salad make a great salad to start a meal or can be used as a side dish to accompany chicken or pork.
Fall brings us a bounty of delicious fruits. Apples, pears, and cranberries make a wonderful combination. Both tart and sweet, this salad make a great salad to start a meal or can be used as a side dish to accompany chicken or pork.
Blackened Sweet Corn with Chanterelles and Bacon
Corn, mushrooms, and bacon are a perfect combination in this savory recipe. This side matches well with rare beef dishes or grilled pork.
Corn, mushrooms, and bacon are a perfect combination in this savory recipe. This side matches well with rare beef dishes or grilled pork.
Baby Spinach Salad with Peaches and Hazelnut Vinaigrette
Peaches and figs match well in this recipe for spinach salad that brings out their sweetness.
Peaches and figs match well in this recipe for spinach salad that brings out their sweetness.
Blue Cheese Salad with Bacon and Carmelized Onions
This rich pasta salad has a bite that is both savory and sweet. It matches very well with beef dishes.
This rich pasta salad has a bite that is both savory and sweet. It matches very well with beef dishes.
Grilled Asparagus and Prosciutto Salad
Asparagus and prosciutto are a classic combination that are showcased well in this dish. The addition of mushrooms and asiago cheese give it a very earthy yet bright flavor.
Asparagus and prosciutto are a classic combination that are showcased well in this dish. The addition of mushrooms and asiago cheese give it a very earthy yet bright flavor.
Tuna Niçoise
Tuna Niçoise is more of a meal than a salad. Poached tuna and lots of vegetables give this dish a wonderful balance of flavors. The individual ingredients in this recipe are simple to make, but when put together on a plate look very sophisticated.
Tuna Niçoise is more of a meal than a salad. Poached tuna and lots of vegetables give this dish a wonderful balance of flavors. The individual ingredients in this recipe are simple to make, but when put together on a plate look very sophisticated.