Cookthink

Simmered with onion, thyme and sage leaves, these butter beans are smooth and creamy and make a perfect side dish for a Southern meal. Read more about this recipe at Cook & Eat.

Creamy Macaroni And Cheese With Rapini

Using evaporated milk makes the sauce a very creamy, but has a fraction of the fat in heavy cream. Rapini's strong flavor is tempered by the cheese and keeps the dish from being too one-dimensional. Read more about this recipe at Coconut & Lime.

Wild Rice And Quinoa Pilaf With Toasted Pecans And Cranberries

This dish works perfectly alongside roast turkey or goose and glazed ham. Fresh cranberries can be used in place of dried. Read more about this recipe in the Washington Post.

Brussels Sprouts With Glazed Pecans

The blend of sweet, salty and bitter flavors in this dish may convert even those who do not like Brussels sprouts. For ease, use store-bought glazed pecans. Read more about this recipe at the Washington Post.

Crushed Sweet Potatoes With Roasted Garlic And Ginger

Olive oil makes these rustic sweet potatoes rich and creamy. The dish can be made up to 2 days in advance. Read more about this recipe at the Washington Post.

Carrot Corn Cakes

These corn muffins are topped with mascarpone and sprinkled with seeds, so they look like festive cupcakes. The muffins can be made a day in advance or wrapped well and frozen (unfrosted) for up to 1 month. Read more about this recipe at the Washington Post.

Dede's Cheese Straws

A cookie press is needed to make these savory crackers. I prefer the version that resembles a caulking gun, although a turn-crank model will do -- or an electric one for hard-core cheese straw makers! Read more about this recipe in Virginia Willis' Bon Appétit, Y'All.

Mama's Sausage Pecan Balls

This recipe works best if you grate the cheese yourself rather than buying pre-grated, which is coated to keep the pieces from sticking together. Read more about this recipe in Virginia Willis' Bon Appétit, Y'All.

Porcini And Cremini Mushroom Risotto

The combination of rich, earthy porcini and fresh cremini mushrooms make this risotto meaty and fulfilling. Substitute shitake, white button or portobello mushrooms for the creminis if you like.

Fennel And Roasted Beet Salad

Roasting beets just intensifies their natural sweetness and adds a hint of caramel, so they're wonderful with crunchy fennel and the slightly sweet honey dressing. Use both red and golden beets if you can find them.

Fried Okra

Sliced okra is coated with a light dusting of cornmeal, deep-fried until golden and sprinkled with lemon juice just before serving.

Sauteed Potatoes With Corn, Tomatoes And Mint

Doesn't this recipe sound good? It is. If you'd like some ideas about what to eat with it, click on the "goes with..." tab to the left. For the lowdown on ingredients, techniques and tools, click on "related tips."