Home > Feeding Frenzy > Archives > 2008 > September > 03
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The neglected side dish
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As the author of the 5:30 Challenge column, I am constantly thinking of interesting, but easy, main dishes to serve. I recently realized that I was guilty of focusing on the entree to the exclusion of what to make to go alongside it. Don’t get me wrong, there is something sharing the plate. I’ll always have a salad or steamed vegetable and a starch - either rice, potato or pasta.
I started to think about it over the summer when a friend made an incredible stir-fried green bean dish while the salmon grilled unattended. He sauteed garlic, ginger and hot pepper flakes then added string beans and it was a showstopper. With a simple grilled main course, the side dish helped make the dinner memorable.
I revisited the concept when testing the recipes for this week’s Food & Drink centerpiece story on Fried Rice. For just a little more work and time, plain old rice rose to “Oh wow” status.
How much effort to you put into your side dishes? Do you actually plan out and put effort into what to serve with your main course or do you just wing it with obligatory plate fillers?
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Home cooking
