Crab Cakes
Crab cakes will instantly elevate any meal with its crisp exterior, and a rich, yet delicate interior.
Lentil Kufte
His aunt brought out a platter full of small golden patties, which I soon learned were lentil kufte. With the glorious sweet and deep notes of brown onion contrasting against the earthy lentils with a bit of fresh herbs, they soon became one of my favorite side dishes and is especially easy to feed guests because it’s eaten at room temperature.
Mushroom Ragou with Poached Duck Egg
There are few dishes I look forward to eating each year more than this one. The grounded richness of the mushrooms is like hot lava running through my veins, warming my core from the inside out even on the most bone-chilling of days.
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage and Apples
It’s savory with the meatiness of pork and mushrooms yet the sweetness of apples compliments the pepper. The sausage has crunchy bits that round out the custardy sweet squash flesh.
Duck Breast with Orange Marmalade and Bacon
I’ve had plenty of duck in my adult life, but none of them measured up to camp duck of my youth. It’s smoky, earthy, and fresh and has plenty of texture contrast.
Chilled Sun Gold Tomato Soup with Lots of Summer Stuff
This soup is simple yet special. It is as cooling as it is colorful. The garnish is as delicious makes the soup as delicious as it looks.
Smoked Sausage and Rum Quiche with Cane Vinegar Onions
The quiche has it all. It’s creamy, smoky, a bit of sweet, and a bit of crunch.
Roasted Banana Grits with Spiced Shrimp
The shrimp are bold and bright with copious amounts of ginger and accented by tart coriander and warm nutmeg. The shrimp contrasts perfectly with creamy grits that have an unexpected hint of fruity sweetness that pairs perfectly with the flavors of the spiced shrimp.
Boiled Crawfish
Crawfish is one of those things that brings people together. You stand around folding tables with newspaper covered tables, and peel crawfish while chatting or maybe just listening. You might even pick up on a fellow eater’s quirks like the person who lines their heads up all facing the same direction.
Pili Pili Shrimp with Coconut Sauce
It’s spicy, sweet, creamy, bold, and a whole lot of comfort. It reminds me a little of Thai red curry.
Chipotle Onion Soup
It’s the comfort of a long cooked soup but comes together in a fraction of the time. It’s sweet, buttery, smokey, and a little spicy.
Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Yogurt
The cauliflower has a boldness from the sugars caramelizing during the roasting process that’s combined with the complexity of browned onions and sits on a yogurt tahini sauce that is slightly tart, slightly deep, and a bit fruity that makes for a perfect side dish.
Fig and Walnut Salad with Ginger Pomegranate Vinaigrette
The dried figs bring a sweet warmth to a salad that is balanced by salty Parmesan cheese which is highlighted against the earthy and subtle walnuts. It’s all tied together with a vinaigrette that brings out the complexities of flavors and textures.
Shrimp and Corn Soup
It’s bold and spicy. You can call it summery with its abundance of corn and shrimp but will hold its own with the best of winter soups because of its depth of flavor.
Avocado and Orange Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
Avocado and orange salad brings the perfect amount of creaminess, brightness, and sweetness to your plate.
Smothered Snap Beans
They’re reliant, easy, delicious, and comforting. With their subtle smoky flavor, they pair well with almost any main dish by bringing out the deeper notes of the other dish.
Orange, Pomegranate, and Almond Salad with Orange Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Bring on the freshness with this salad that will liven the depths of winter. This Orange, Pomegranate, and Almond salad appeals to the eyes with vibrant orange and deep red colors along with the brightness and lightness that we crave in the midst of heavy winter dishes
Jalapeno, Ham, and Cheese Rolls
These little bites of delight jazz up the humble sandwich yet are simple to pack and easy to make. It’s bold, a bit spicy, and a little sweet. With no crumbs or drips, it makes for a perfect road trip or party food.