More than forty years ago, I visited my second cousins in “Pleasant Valley,” Arizona. While I was there I had one of the most memorable meals of my life, biscuits and beef jerky gravy served with a side of fresh pinto beans. While biscuits and gravy is a standard Southern/Western dish, I have never had—before or since—as good as I had that day.
Category Archives: Side Dishes
Claudia’s Potato Salad
I making potato salad for the Fourth of July today, and I am making it based on, my mother, Claudia’s recipe. I have had to make some adjustments—I am not trying to feed seven hungry mouths and—while I remember there being celery in it—there was none listed on her 3×5 card recipe. Another twist is that Myr and Chris are on the Atkins diet, so I decided I would make a second salad—with cauliflower replacing the potatoes—just for them. Continue reading
Filed under Potatoes, Salads, Side Dishes, Starches, Vegetarian
Karl’s Carrot Ribbon Salad with Lime Dressing
I wanted a side salad to go with my Moong dal with shrimp.
Filed under California Fusion, Root Vegetables, Salads, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian
Karl’s Pigs in a Blanket Two Ways
I thought the kids were not coming over this weekend, they have been on and off on a low carb diet. Myr just got back from Italy and they had a friend’s wedding on Saturday, so I thought they were not coming over. Jan had challenged me to do a gourmet “pigs in a blanket.” The kids have changes their minds and are coming over, but they will eat high carb.
Filed under bread, California Fusion, Main Dishes, Pork
Karl’s Broccoli and Cheese Empanada
I am making “pigs in a blanket” for Sundays dinner, but man does not live on bread and meat alone—as much as some might try. I had found how to make the perfect crust dough, so I thought I would make a vegetable empanada. I decided that broccoli was a good choice, with maybe some onion and a little potato and some sharp cheddar to give it some bite.
Filed under bread, California Fusion, Vegetables, Vegetarian
Karl’s Thyme Water Crackers II
Earlier this week I made water crackers for the Dean’s Lunch. I know I just posted this recipe just this morning, but I was not satisfies with what I had produced. Yes, they were crisp and delicious but they were a bit too crisp.
Filed under bread, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian
Karl’s Thyme Water Crackers
Jan is hosting the Dean’s Lunch and I am making crackers and schmears (1, 2, & 3). For the non-Vegans, I am making my cream crackers, but one of the deans is a Vegan. I decided to try my had at a Vegan water cracker.
Filed under bread, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian
Karl’s Pork Sausage Empanadas
This was a rather spontaneous meal. I was wondering what to do with several things that were cluttering up my refrigerator: one quarter pound homemade pork sausage, one quarter pound of ground pork, a Russet potato—that I had peeled for another meal and ended up not using—half a red bell pepper (ditto), one small yellow onion. I could just chop it all up, throw it in a skillet, fry it up, and call it “hash,” but that would not be me. I am not the first person to face this dilemma, World Cuisine is full of solutions. Hash in a pocket bread is called an empanada.
Filed under bread, California Fusion, Main Dishes, Pork
Karl’s Guacamole
I am making the Dean’s Lunch and one of the dinners is a Vegan. Jan and I finally settled on a salad with crackers and a selection of schmears. To meet the needs of the one, the many must eat Vegan—to paraphrase. Jan really likes guacamole, so I chose this as my third schmear. I have a simple recipe, but for public consumption I thought I would be a bit more elaborate.
Filed under Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian
Karl’s Roasted Carrot and Red Pepper Hummus
I am making the Dean’s Lunch and one of the dinners is a Vegan. Jan and I finally settled on a salad with crackers and a selection of schmears. To meet the needs of the one, the many must eat Vegan—to paraphrase.
Filed under Beans, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian








