Pureed Pea Soup with Mint

With all due respect to Kermit, being green has never been so easy–nor so darn enticing–as this simple, savvy, spring-y sweet pea soup.

• Quick Glance
• 30 M
• 45 M
• 1

Salt-Roasted Potatoes

This recipe turns out obscenely aromatic, ridiculously moist spuds the likes of which you ain’t ever seen before. And you thought potatoes were boring.

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• 40 M
• 1 H, 25 M
• 4

Roasted Asparagus

Thinking a recipe for roast asparagus isn’t necessary? We thought so, too…until we tried this uber-reliable technique. Perfect spears, time after time.

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• 5 M
• 25 M
• 11

Lemon and Thyme Risotto

A lilt of lemon and hints of thyme dance throughout this simple risotto, which our testers tout as the best they’ve ever tasted. But don’t just take our word for it…

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• 30 M
• 30 M
• 18

Smashed Potatoes

Before you roll your eyes and mutter, “Do I need another mashed potato recipe?” you must try these simple, sinful, pleasingly chunky smashed spuds. (The answer, by the way, is yes.)

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• 5 M
• 30 M
• 16

Spring Asparagus and Asiago Gratin

Here’s an easy, elegant way to coax stalky asparagus to goodness, with cheese and bread crumbs concealing all manner of out-of-season vegetal sins.

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• 10 M
• 30 M
• 16

Sweet Potato Wedges

These subtly spiced, lightly crisped sweet potato wedges will have everyone clamoring for more–and, we dare say, no one guessing they’re healthful.

• Quick Glance
• 10 M
• 35 M
• 26

Not-from-a-Box Macaroni and Cheese

Incomparably better than what comes out of a box, this mac n cheese is so darn good, it may even be better than what Mom used to make. Velveeta optional.

• Quick Glance
• 20 M
• 1 H
• 7

Pan Boxty

A precursor to hash browns, pan boxty is shamelessly simple and flagrantly frugal. Can’t say as we’ve improved any on this Irish classic.

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• 20 M
• 1 H
• 6

Twice-Baked Potatoes with Irish Cheddar

You may have had twice-baked potatoes before, but we bet they weren’t anything like this lovely little Irish-inflected spud.

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• 20 M
• 2 H, 30 M
• 7

Candied Carrots

Sometimes carrots aren’t quite as sweet as we’d like them to be. This kid-tested tactic takes care of that occasional oops on the part of Mother Nature.

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• 5 M
• 15 M
• 11

Steamed Veggies in Parchment Parcels

Need a savvy, sophisticated, make-ahead, eat-your-veggies strategy that works for kids and adults? Look no further for a side that does all that with flair.

• Quick Glance
• 10 M
• 25 M
• 18

Mac and Cheese with Carrots

Simple and, yes, a little sneaky, this kid-friendly, fuss-free, casserole-like mac and cheese melds Cheddar and carrot to healthful effect.

• Quick Glance
• 20 M
• 1 H
• 19

Bibb Wedges, Radicchio, Endive, and Blue Cheese Dressing

Remember those insipid wedges of iceberg buried beneath blobs of bottled blue cheese dressing? This salad will erase all such memories.

Broccoli and Blue Cheese Gratin

Ooooh baby, this is how we like our broccoli–cloaked in a not-too-rich sauce with ample oomph from blue cheese and a hint of heat from cayenne.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Silken, garlicky mashed potatoes manifest in mere minutes thanks to a super simple technique–perfect for when you’re entertaining, impatient, just plain hungry, or all of the above.

Fennel Baked in Cream

Fennel turns meltingly tender and oh so sweet when slowly, slowly, slowly braised in cream, cheese, and butter. One more reason to be enamored with the holidays.

Roasted Carrots with Allspice

Sweet. Spicy. Earthy. Puckery. Since when did anything–or anyone–at your table ever boast such character? Certain to compensate for lulls in the conversation among your duller dinner invitees.

Braised Saffron Carrots

A sweet-tart side dish sensation. These carrots of any–or many–hues take a turn for the better when braised in olive oil with a pinch of saffron and a splash of vinegar.

• Quick Glance
• 20 M
• 35 M
• 5

Pan-Roasted Mushrooms

Mushrooms and butter and garlic, oh my! Think you’ve been there, done that? Trust us, you haven’t. Not like this. Read on to understand this recipe’s brilliance.