Free Republic

Thanksgiving is a time when people don’t seem to want ‘new’ - they want ‘traditional’, the food they’ve always associated with the holiday. But it’s also an opportunity to slip in at least one new and different dish, to perhaps broaden your guests’ gustatory horizons – and give the cook a little diversity in the annual labors ;-) My first introduction to anything vaguely ‘Indian’ was this Hot Curried Fruit that my Aunt used to make for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It seems to be a somewhat traditional ‘thing’ in Virginia and parts South; and whenever I’ve made it for office...

My office is holding its annual Summer Barbecue in a couple of weeks. Calling it a 'barbecue' is a bit extravagant, as all we do is cook hot dogs and hamburgers on a propane grill ;-) and the stars of the show are usually the wonderful side dishes that folks from many different ethnic cuisines bring to the party. This year it will be a much smaller affair, with our 'grill master' out on knee-replacement surgery, other staff leaving for new jobs, and lots of folks away for Summer. But I have to come up with a side dish! I...