Imagine a hot dog without mustard or relish or Thanksgiving turkey without stuffing or cranberry sauce. Side dishes bring color, taste, and variety to a meal; without them, our meals would be dreary affairs, indeed. In "On the Side: More Than 100 Recipes for the Sides, Salads, and Condiments That Make the Meal," celebrated writer Jessica B. Harris provides mouthwatering recipes for salads and slaws, pickles, salsas, chutneys, relishes, and savory sauces that will liven up any plate. From delicate condiments to hearty side dishes, from mild to piquant, all-American or distinctly exotic, there are accompaniments to suit every meal and every palate.
All it takes is one side to transform a dish into a meal. Recipes such as classic Cole Slaw, North African Olive and Lemon Salad, and Jamaican Cucumber Salad are a welcome break from plain garden salads. Easy English Pickles, Tomato Relish, Cherry Ketchup, and Pineapple-Rum Mustard redefine the flavors of American favorites and will make the ordinary hamburger come to life. Even salsas get a new twist in "On the Side": Pomegranate Salsa, Passionfruit-Peach Salsa, and Roast Corn Salsa are a few variations to try with your quesadillas or grilled meats and fish. Also featured are substantial vegetable sides that offer a taste for every season: Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce and Grilled Asparagus with Shaved Parmesan for the spring; Corn on the Cob with Herbed "Pimenton" Butter and Ratatouille for the summer; Braised Celery Root and Leeks with Lemon Butter for fall; and Three-Root Gratin and Baked Turnips with Sweet Potatoes, Apples, and Dried Cranberries in the winter. Year-round delicacies include Carrots with Orange Juice and Gingerand Artery Cloggers -- mashed potatoes with roasted garlic, bacon, and cream.
In addition to the recipes gathered from family, friends, and travel, Harris informs, educates, and entertains us with essays about the ingredients throughout, blending a dash of history and culture into the mix.
Looking for culinary inspiration? Let this refreshing collection spice up "your" table.
