Sides

I make this Greek orzo salad all summer long because it lives up to the promise of simple prep and big, fresh flavor. In my kitchen it’s a go-to when the grill is on: the lemon and red wine vinegar brighten everything, the feta adds creaminess, and the kalamata olives give a salty pop that … Read more

I make honey roasted carrots so often that a sheet pan full is a regular feature in my weeknight rotation. They’re one of those sides that feels intentionally elegant but is shockingly simple: whole carrots, a slick of oil, a drizzle of honey, and a hot oven. I love how the kitchen fills with that … Read more

I make smashed pickle salad when I want something bright and fast on the table. I keep a jar of good pickles in my fridge for sandwiches, charcuterie and nights when dinner needs a crunchy, punchy side. This salad skips the usual cucumber-salting step by using pickles instead — they give immediate acidity, salt and … Read more

I first started making this lemony Savoy cabbage salad on nights when I had 15 minutes and a fridge full of odds and ends. In my kitchen it became the go-to: fast to toss together, bright enough to feel like a treat, and sturdy enough to sit beside grilled proteins without collapsing. The cabbage’s pale … Read more

I make this miso butter roasted cabbage whenever I need a fast, reliable side that actually feels special. In my kitchen it’s become the go-to when I want something hands-off but full of flavor: a quick mix of butter and miso, a coat of golden crumbs, and the oven does the rest. It takes me … Read more

I started roasting cabbage out of necessity: a crowded fridge, a tired brain, and a single head of cabbage that needed rescuing. What began as a last-minute side turned into one of my go-to tricks for busy evenings. In my kitchen, a thin smear of miso butter and a quick roast transform those dense, leafy … Read more

I cook this sautéed cabbage on nights when the rest of the family is bouncing between homework and homework-adjacent activities. I like recipes that land on the table fast, use things I usually have on hand, and clean up in one pan. This version hits all three: it browns quickly, smells like warm onions and … Read more

I make this cucumber tomato salad all summer long. In my kitchen it’s the quick, cooling side I reach for when the weather is hot and hunger is low-effort but high-reward. Over the years I’ve learned which little moves keep the crunch and which mistakes make the salad limp, so I usually make a batch … Read more

I make these baked beans whenever I need a side that everyone will reach for first. They come together quickly from pantry staples, but the finishing bake transforms canned beans into something rich, syrupy and deeply savory. I love how the aroma of smoked paprika and bacon fills the kitchen while the sauce reduces to … Read more

I make this watermelon salad all through July and August when the melon is at its peak. In my kitchen it’s the go-to last-minute side: bright, fast, and impossibly pretty on the table. I like that the prep is short but the payoff is big — juicy watermelon cubes, a little creamy avocado, the snap … Read more