Side Dish

This smashed cucumber avocado salad is fresh, crunchy, creamy, and loaded with bright flavor. The cucumbers are smashed for extra texture so they grab onto the lime-chili dressing, then shaken in a large jar with onion and herbs for an easy, mess-free mix. Add avocado Read More

If you like guacamole but don’t feel like mashing avocados in a bowl, this jar-shaken lazy guacamole salsa version is a great shortcut. You get the same fresh, creamy, limey flavor, but with bigger chunks of avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, and sweet corn in every Read More

This smashed Asian cucumber salad is crisp, cold, and seriously addictive. Instead of slicing neat rounds, you smash the cucumbers first so they crack and crinkle—those rough edges grab onto a garlicky sesame-soy dressing with honey, rice vinegar, chili oil, and black sesame seeds. It’s Read More

These accordion potatoes are cut with a tight accordion crosshatch, quickly simmered so they cook through fast, then roasted on a hot sheet pan for crisp edges and deep golden color. Before baking, you brush them with smoky paprika olive oil. At the end, roasted Read More

If you’re looking for an easy way to make oven roasted sweet potatoes that actually taste exciting, these caramelized sweet potato halves are it. They roast at a high temperature so the edges get deeply browned, while the center stays soft and fluffy. The key Read More

Some roast potatoes are “fine.” These are the kind people keep picking at straight off the tray while you’re trying to get dinner on the table. The secret isn’t anything fancy—it’s the little steps that actually matter: a quick parboil so the centers go fluffy, Read More

This Sechuan spicy smashed cucumber salad is the kind of side dish that disappears while you’re “just tasting to adjust the seasoning.” It’s cold and crisp, loaded with garlicky chili oil, sesame aroma, and a tangy bite that keeps pulling you back in. The smash-and-drain Read More

The first time I tried these Japanese candied sweet potatoes, I remember thinking: why is something this basic so good? They’re just sweet potato pieces that get steamed, fried, and tossed in a quick syrup glaze—but the texture is the whole magic. Crisp edges, soft Read More

Some recipes earn a permanent spot in your “make it again” list, and this Thai cucumber salad is one of mine. It’s cold and crunchy, with that bright lime bite up front, a little sweetness to round it out, and just enough chili heat to Read More

If you’ve ever tried that famous Din Tai Fung cucumber salad and wondered why it tastes so simple—but somehow impossible to stop eating—this is the little trick behind it. At Din Tai Fung, this cucumber salad is the kind of thing you happily order… and Read More