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How do?

Yes, it’s another thread of gastronomic delights courtesy of me. Because we can’t talk Politics, so we might as well talk food.

And here I want to focus on side dishes that make the meal. For instance, I’ve recently done a pretty decent (approved by an American!) Pulled Pork. But when it comes to sides, I’ve not a clue how best to accompany.

I know Coleslaw is often touted, but from what I’ve seen on TV, it seems the slaw I can buy is different to the American Version. May not make a difference, but worth investigating.

So what side dishes do you consider to make any given meal?

Coleslaw with pulled pork for sure. It's not hard to make, and it's a perfect complement! Do a quick google for a recipe you like the sound of and try it out.

I've gotten quite fond of bourbon-sauteed mushrooms as a small side for...just about anything, actually Salt-and-vinegar roasted potatoes are another typical one.

Macaroni & cheese is a cheap option. If you do it well, it works with pulled pork. Make it in a casserole dish with a lot of cheese and some bread crumbs on top.

Another thing I like with pulled pork is fried potato wedges with a lot of seasoning.

Mac & Cheese is something I already do, albeit as a dish on its own. Just need a load of good quality cheddar! (Well, I like it. But as ever, no claims made to authenticity!).

Bourbon Sautéed Mushrooms? Got a recipe for that?

Also, all side dishes welcome. Main of Pulled Pork is just, ahem food for thought!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, wedges. It’s something I’ve tried before, but always been disappointed with the results. If you can point me to a recipe you trust, happy to give them another go (may be I’m using the wrong sort of spud)

If you're doing pork, rolls are practically a requirement.

BIG HONKIN' BUTTERY ROLLS.

If you use little weakling rolls, John Wayne will show up at your cookout and throw your food in the dirt.

At the risk of John Wayne pod-shooting me from beyond the grave, I tend to use Brioche Buns? They’re buttery already!

This is the one I've been using - simple, but effective!

I was trying to think of something to go with...I don't remember now, but my mind kept drifting back to mushrooms. And the bottle of bourbon on my shelf. And I went, "Hey, wait a minute..."

Google is a wonderful tool

Corn on the cob. Smothered in butter.

Simple, but delicious!

Well, I do like my mushrooms, but have never (like, ever, in 38 years) tried Bourbon. But worth a bash I guess! Just hope the flambé doesn’t set off the alarms in the flat! Or cook the ceiling.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
At the risk of John Wayne pod-shooting me from beyond the grave, I tend to use Brioche Buns? They’re buttery already!

Good. You have the option to tear them up and use them as a chowdozer OR go full barbarian and use them to make a SAMMICH.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Well, I do like my mushrooms, but have never (like, ever, in 38 years) tried Bourbon. But worth a bash I guess! Just hope the flambé doesn’t set off the alarms in the flat! Or cook the ceiling.

You're in for a treat

They’re also a good bit lighter than burger buns, so don’t get in the way of the tender goodness as much.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
They’re also a good bit lighter than burger buns, so don’t get in the way of the tender goodness as much.

'Murica approved. You get a free ride in a Monster truck and a can of cheap beer.

Huzzah!

May have watched quite a bit of shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives :p

Sauerkraut goes with any slow cooked or BBQ pork product.

Also you can't go wrong with baked beans. Must have lots of bacon.

And is easily procured!

Potatoes! Boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew. They tend to be a very versatile in allowing for dishes that you can use for many occasions, easy to keep in the kitchen and if you prefer even the instant versions of mashed potatoes works good.

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Potatoes! Boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew. They tend to be a very versatile in allowing for dishes that you can use for many occasions, easy to keep in the kitchen and if you prefer even the instant versions of mashed potatoes works good.

This

Potatoes go with everything one way or another

As long as they're not those nasty powder mixes. Such crimes against humanity should never be considered food.

Horseradish goes good, a nice dollop on the pulled pork..um.

Probably my favorite Mac and Cheese recipe right here. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/baked-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-1939524

Mac and Cheese can be soooo much more than the cheap blue box crap. Don't get me wrong, that stuff can work in a pinch if you doctor it a bit. But baked Mac and Cheese is just amazing.

I also second potatoes. Mashed potatoes specifically. Make it with Half and Half, throw in some chives, maybe some good chunky cheese. Mmmmm, so fething good.

Edit: Another favorite is Mushrooms wrapped in bacon, grilled, and covered in BBQ sauce. Another good one is shrimp, a piece of pineapple, wrapped in bacon, covered in BBQ sauce and cooked. Really good little finger foods with the toothpicks in them.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
How do?

Yes, it’s another thread of gastronomic delights courtesy of me. Because we can’t talk Politics, so we might as well talk food.

And here I want to focus on side dishes that make the meal. For instance, I’ve recently done a pretty decent (approved by an American!) Pulled Pork. But when it comes to sides, I’ve not a clue how best to accompany.

I know Coleslaw is often touted, but from what I’ve seen on TV, it seems the slaw I can buy is different to the American Version. May not make a difference, but worth investigating.

So what side dishes do you consider to make any given meal?

Coleslaw is easy. shredded or finely-chopped onion, cabbage and carrot, some mayonnaise, lemon juice and wholegrain mustard, mix it all together, job's a good 'un. Some people are known to add apple and / or raisins, but there's nowt as strange as folk.

Potato salad is another easy one, but might be a bit heavy alongside pulled pork? I put Heinz salad cream and chives on mine, but mayonnaise/oil/vinegar will do too.

I tend to add capsicum/bell peppers to everything, but am
otherwise more of a one-dish meal kinda guy (just got a new oven. Let the baking begin!) although some parisien potatoes are always good.

I also find that bread is far more often than I thought an excellent side, since as a true Dutchman I default to considering it a meal by itself.

More taters: french fries, waffle fries, potato chips, etc. More of a lunch side dish I suppose. Hash browns for breakfast, tater tots for dinner. (Heresy to some, I know, but don't knock it till you try it! ) Scalloped potatoes, potatoes au gratin, mashed of course, baked potatoes... Corn beef hash with eggs and bacon and pancakes. Yum!

Rice and beans is tasty, separate or together, there's so many ways to combine them in different dishes.

Lentils, rice, and caramelized onions (aka, Mujadarrah).

Fried plantains.

Thanksgiving is coming up in a couple of months here in the USA. The central dish is turkey for most, but many families also cook up lots and lots of side dishes. Green bean casserole, cream corn casserole, hominy and cheese casserole, sweet potatoes with bourbon and marshmallows, cranberry sauce, cornbread stuffing (my wife makes it with pomegranate seeds). *drool*

Another just occurred to me: Padrón peppers

Just fried and sprinkled with salt. I think they can go with pretty much anything - they're delicious.

Normally mild but about 1 in 10 is extra spicy. Although when I've grown them my hit rate has been much higher than that!

The best side dish for pulled pork is brisket. And vise versa.

But my go to side is mac & cheese with my BBQ, or baked beans (with said pork and/or brisket mixed in), not the cheapy canned kind.. not hard to make em from scratch, just takes time. Some folks like collard greens with their BBQ, they're fine, but not my favorite. Once in a while, I like nice grilled corn on the cob with lots of butter.

Still, mac & cheese is my #1.. if I eat at a new BBQ joint, and the mac & cheese isn't good, I usually never go back no matter how good the meats were. I guess that means I prefer mac & cheese with a side of BBQ?

The traditional British way of doing Mac & cheese is with a few slices of bacon, so your not alone in making it the main dish with meat on the side.

Oh I only include Onion, raw at that.

Boil up your macaroni until it’s just al dente. Get your cheese sauce ready (flour and butter in equal measure to start a roux, milk, then keep adding good Cheddar until it’s thick enough for taste)

Whack a finely chopped onion or five to the sauce, mix in the macaroni.

Bung in a suitable ovenproof dish,top with more freshly grated cheddar, and stick it in the oven until done (as all my beloved Gran’s recipes describe cooking)

The onion adds a nice sharp kick to the dish, without overwhelming the unctuous glory of the cheese sauce.


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oOKSRSLY?

Pulled Pork was just an example.

What are you’re ‘go to, regardless of cuisine’ super tasty side dishes?

i've tried making "real" mac n cheese recipies, following to the letter or adapting, but my quick n easy way always seems to come out better.

1 pounds of cooked macaroni (or you can use 1 pound of small diced frozen potatoes instead)
1 cans of cream of chicken soup
1 pound of shredded cheese (I mix half sharp cheddar & half peperjack).

Mix it all up, throw it in a greased casserole dish or even a disposable aluminum pan if you hate cleaning like me. Bake at 400 for 45 minutes, or 1 hour if you used frozen taters.

You can always add extra cheese too if you want, I usually end up using more like 1.5 pounds of cheese. You can also change the cheese to whatever kind you want.

 Necros wrote:
i've tried making "real" mac n cheese recipies, following to the letter or adapting, but my quick n easy way always seems to come out better.

1 pounds of cooked macaroni (or you can use 1 pound of small diced frozen potatoes instead)
1 cans of cream of chicken soup
1 pound of shredded cheese (I mix half sharp cheddar & half peperjack).

Mix it all up, throw it in a greased casserole dish or even a disposable aluminum pan if you hate cleaning like me. Bake at 400 for 45 minutes, or 1 hour if you used frozen taters.

You can always add extra cheese too if you want, I usually end up using more like 1.5 pounds of cheese. You can also change the cheese to whatever kind you want.

Oh dear.

Oh dear oh dear.

I think it’s the pyre for you!


WIIIITCH! WIIIIIIITCH! I’ve found a witch! They reckon they can do an easy Mac & Cheese!

BURN HIM ANYWAY!