Green Beans “Garlic-Dine” The pairing of almonds and string beans in hot or cold side dishes is a classic. This idea came to me when I was making garlic chips (see below) and saw how closely the chips resembled perfectly toasted sliced almonds. The simple dressing of garlic-infused oil, citrus juice and chives can liven up more than string beans. Roasted...
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This is a very fancy name for pureed cauliflower made with four ingredients that is baked until golden brown and bubbly. It’s particularly good with stewy things, like braised short ribs, simmered black beans. Or use it instead of mashed potatoes as a topping for shepherds’ pie. One of the good things about running out of food in your fridge is that you...
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Romano beans are broad, flat versions of string beans. They have a firmer/chewier texture that, as far as I’m concerned, benefits from long cooking. Romanos aren’t delicate little haricots verts that, after a dip in boiling salted water keep their bright green color and snap. Cook Romanos until they are tender. They will lose their bright green color,...
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There are two things I think of when I think of succotash: How happy I am when two of my favorite things—in this case fresh lima beans and corn—overlap in the markets. Second is Deee-lite. I could be wrong, but I believe it was Lady Miss Kier who introduced succotash to the World Music scene in Deee-lite’s Groove Is In The Heart. (“Your groove I do deeply...
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Many moons ago, before quinoa was “Quinoa,” I heard about its healthful benefits and decided to try some. I cooked a batch. I cooked another batch. I came to the conclusion that quinoa tastes like soap mixed with a little dirt. What I didn’t know at the time was that quinoa seeds (yes, they’re seeds not a grain) are coated with something called saponins...
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Summer means tomatoes and corn. It also means wax beans, stone fruits, lots of herbs, peppers of all kinds and eggplant. Wax beans in season are one of my summer favorites. I make them on their own and dress them with a mint pesto or put them into big salads like this one. I like to think of wax beans as the nice kind of folk-singing nun and green beans as...
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