Best American Side Dishes

Synopsis

Tired of boring tossed green salads but stumped for new ideas? Do your mashed potatoes often come out gluey? Does your rice pilaf scorch on the bottom and stick to the pan? Are the hors d'oeuvres you make for parties too much work for too little reward? The editors of Cook's Illustrated have experienced these problems and hundreds more. Best American Side Dishes is your guide to what to serve with dinner, from the simple (spiced nuts and spinach dip) to the comforting (garlicky mashed potatoes and green bean-casserole) to the more adventurous (homemade spring rolls and pommes Anna, a French-style layered skillet cake). Whether you are looking for a quick appetizer, a simple side dish, or a picnic salad, Best American Side Dishes provides not only the recipes but the know-how and explanations to make you a better, more confident cook Need to put together a quick appetizer for unexpected guests? See "Favorite Holiday Appetizers" and "Easy, Impressive No-Cook Starters." Want to improve upon simple steamed-vegetables? "Adding Zing to Steamed Vegetables" offers flavorful compound butters that can be stirred into green beans, broccoli, carrots-the choice is up to you. In addition, menu planners such as "Kid-Friendly Sides," "Great Sides for Roast Chicken," and "Favorite Sides for Holiday Ham," will help you sort through your options and put together main courses and side dishes that complement one another.