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Tag Archives: vegetarian sides

vinegar-braised red cabbage with caraway

March 16, 2013
somethin' on the side
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1 medium head red cabbage
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp caraway seeds, toasted
1/2 cup vinegar (I used rice wine, but any mild variety will suite this dish)
3 tbsp honey
kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

1. Halve the cabbage, remove the core and slice.
2. Heat the butter and oil in a pot over medium-high heat and add the cabbage. Stir to coat the cabbage with the butter and oil.
3. Add the caraway seeds, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper and stir.
4. Cover the pot, turn the heat to medium-low, and allow the cabbage to cook for 25-30 minutes, or until softened.

I always enjoyed this side dish next to a big hunk of baked macaroni and cheese, and occasionally pot roast or lamb. Feel free to dollop with yogurt.

quinoa salad

March 22, 2012
somethin' on the side, sweet thang, the underwear diet
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I love when my kitchen sings to me. Sometimes it’s a tender falsetto, other times it’s methodical rapping to a hot beat. Whatever the harmony, when ingredients come out from the shadows of my cabinets and refrigerator to reveal themselves, the song is so sweet.

This time I cooked up some quinoa with vegetable stock, according to the package’s directions (and no matter what that package says, add a bit of butter while its cooking). Meanwhile, I sauteed greens in olive oil (you can use whatever you have on hand; I had arugula leftover from a pesto recipe, and a bunch of fresh spinach that was on its way out). Soaked golden raisins (I hate the regular kind) in hot water until plump and tender, then drained. Combined all of the above, along with a healthy amount of pine nuts. Seasoned with S & P and I was good to go.

Not sure if my S.S. was expecting this for breakfast, but that’s what he got. And he wasn’t sad about it.

This would make for a lovely side dish, but has enough going on to shine as a main entree. Plus, quinoa is a complete protein, providing all the itty bitty amino acids our bodies need to, you know, do its thing. And that’s something to celebrate. In your underwear, of course.