Side

Using canned beans instead of dried greatly reduces the cooking time for this New England specialty, but you can use dried beans instead (see page 365 for soaking instructions).

As its name implies, this savory Southern side dish is so soft it should be served—and eaten—with a spoon. You could serve the spoon bread as an alternative to cornbread with the barbecued ribs on page 202 or with the turkey chili on page 173.

Serve these bacon-and-cheese-stuffed onions as a side dish for roasts, or as an unexpected main course for dinner, supplemented by a green salad. Don’t rush the cooking of the chopped onions; keep them on the heat until caramelized, for the best flavor.

Smothered in a rich, creamy Gruyère-cheese sauce, then sprinkled with toasted parmesan bread crumbs, cauliflower becomes a favorite-comfort-food contender.

Take care not to crowd the vegetables, or they will steam rather than brown. You’ll also need to toss them periodically so they’ll stay coated in oil. Add leftover vegetables to a salad, or use them to top the Roasted Root-Vegetable Pizza (page 45).

Seltzer water is the secret to achieving a delicate crust on homemade onion rings. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the oil, and be sure to maintain a temperature of 375 degrees; otherwise, the rings will absorb too much oil as they cook.

New potatoes are really just young potatoes of any variety. They are crisp, waxy, and hold their shape when boiled or roasted, as in the recipes that follow. Try any of these rustic potato dishes with roast chicken, pork, or beef (see page 284).

New potatoes are really just young potatoes of any variety. They are crisp, waxy, and hold their shape when boiled or roasted, as in the recipes that follow. Try any of these rustic potato dishes with roast chicken, pork, or beef (see page 284).

New potatoes are really just young potatoes of any variety. They are crisp, waxy, and hold their shape when boiled or roasted, as in the recipes that follow. Try any of these rustic potato dishes with roast chicken, pork, or beef (see page 284).

To keep these pancakes from browning too much, cook them over medium (not high) heat, and lower the temperature if they start to darken too quickly. Sour cream is a classic accompaniment to grated-potato pancakes of all sorts (including latkes).

With a little artful arranging (and minimal seasonings), humble potatoes are transformed into an elegant side dish. This resembles a gratin but has none of the usual cream or cheese.