I had decided to make Moroccan chicken tajine for this Sunday’s dinner. Couscous is an obvious side dish—especially since some of my diners are on a low carb diet. The chicken would be well spiced so I thought that the side dish should be a bland-ish canvas for the flavorful sauce.
Karl’s Moroccan Couscous II
Filed under Pasta, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian
Several month ago, Eilene asked me to make Mac and Cheese sometime when her friends came over. While I have made this dish several times for her friends, this time she wanted something different. She wanted me to use pancetta, brie, apples, and almonds—instead of the usual cheddar or Emmentaler cheese. She also did not want me to use macaroni, but some kind of spiral pasta. Since, I am always sneaking in more vegetables, I also added some leek to the mix.
Karl and Eilene_s Brie and Pancetta Mac and Cheese
Filed under California Fusion, Main Dishes, Pasta, Pork
Adapted from an America’s Test Kitchen recipe
I am making tri-tip tacos for Christmas and tacos call for beans. I made these a few months ago and they were very popular with my family. The term “drunken” implies that you are using a large amount of an alcoholic beverage in the dish. The trick to keeping it from tasting “boozy” is to cook off the alcohol before adding any water.
Karl’s Drunken Pinto Beans II
Filed under Beans, Sauces and Spices, Side Dishes, Stews, Vegan, Vegetarian
Jan’s family Christmas Eve traditional meal was Grandpa Von Hausen’s goulash. This was a Depression era dish of bacon, hamburger, onions, a whole bottle of ketchup, garlic, paprika, and cans of peas, kidney beans, and pork & beans. The idea was that this dish would sustain the family throughout the days of Christmas—without anyone needing to stop and cook.
Karl’s Depression Era Goulash
Filed under Beans, Beef, California Fusion, Holidays, Main Dishes, Stews
I am making a “festival meal” for one of Jan’s Chinese students with a roasted chicken. Mashed potatoes and gravy is a “must” side dish. For Thanksgiving I made these potatoes with turkey gravy, here I am making it with chicken gravy.
Karl’s Mashed Potatoes with Chives
and Chicken Gravy
Filed under Potatoes, Sauces and Spices, Side Dishes
Timing is always a challenge when making a Thanksgiving’s day meal, so an appetizer or two is always a good idea to keep the hordes at bay. While Eilene hates mushrooms, everyone else loves them. This is a dish you can cook slightly ahead and quickly re-warm just before serving.
Karl’s Shrimp and Wild Rice Stuffed Mushrooms
Filed under California Fusion, Rice, Shrimp, Side Dishes
A meat and carbohydrates heavy Thanksgiving dinner calls for at least one green vegetable side. This year, I decided on Brussels sprouts, one of Jan’s favorites. However, being a holiday meal I wanted something more than just plain steamed sprouts.
Karl’s Brussels Sprouts with Wild Rice and Pancetta
Filed under Holidays, Pork, Rice, Side Dishes, Vegetables
I had originally planned on making scalloped Russet potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes for this year’s Thanksgiving meal. My wife said, “It is not Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes! A quick shuffle and I did it the other way.
Karl’s Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Filed under California Fusion, Holidays, Potatoes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian
I had originally planned on making scalloped Russet potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes for this year’s Thanksgiving meal. My wife said, “It is not Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes! A quick shuffle and I did it the other way.
Karl’s Mashed Potatoes with Chives
Filed under Holidays, Potatoes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian
Adapted from an America’s Test Kitchen recipe
When Jan asked for chicken mole for her birthday, the email at the top of my list was from America’s Test Kitchen with a video about chicken mole and drunken beans. The beans sounded like a good side dish for the mole, so I decided to make it myself.
Karl’s Drunken Pinto Beans
Filed under Beans, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian
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Miriam
Jabberwocky Stew 