Side

Soaking softens whole grains and shortens cooking time; feel free to sub farro, brown rice, or barley.

The tastiest rice is seasoned sushi rice.

Leftover basmati rice gets gussied up with earthy fried mustard seeds and curry leaves, sweet caramelized, crunchy peanuts, and spicy chiles.

Red, juicy, and sweet, tomatoes and watermelon are soul mates, and they both need salt, spice, and fat to reach their full potential.

Aguachile is the spicy relative of ceviche that leans heavily on chiles for heat and lime juice for acidity. Here, hearts of palm, mango, and tomatoes replace the traditional raw shrimp.

In this unexpected take on panzanella, chunks of ripe melon take the place of tomatoes. But the unexpected star is the brine from the Peppadew peppers: Spicy, sweet, and tart, it combines with the melon's juices and soaks into the toasted bread.

Perfect as either a side salad or a cocktail hour snack platter, you’re going to want to keep serving this mix of complementary sweet and salty and crunchy and soft bites all summer long.

Say it with us: No more squishy, bland summer squash!

Salty and sweet, crunchy and juicy, this throw-it-together summer side has it all.

Just the side your barbecue ribs are looking for, this all-green salad gets a kick from serrano, ginger, and just a hint of fish sauce.

If you can't find yu choy, a slightly bitter green in the brassica family that's often available at Asian markets, don't be discouraged: The fiery sate oil complements any grilled vegetable.

Low investment and high reward, this not-so-traditional larb is the unofficial late-night meal of much of the BA staff.

Cool, crunchy, and a bit sweet, this salad is meant to quench the fire from all the other dishes on the table.

Don’t worry about removing all of the melon seeds in this take on the popular Mexican street snack—they’re edible and add a little crunch.

The trick to this citrusy stir-fry is to get your pan roaring hot before adding the ingredients.

It’s worth planning ahead for this vibrant, springy pilaf recipe that’s made all the better by day-old rice.

You know those kinda huge carrots that you usually skip over? Their size makes them ideal since they’re big enough to get crispy-charred on the outside but stay just-tender and meaty inside.

This salad is crunchy, herby, cooling, and refreshing. To add some heat between bites, serve fresh green chiles for nibbling alongside.

Blanching tames the bitter bite of broccoli rabe without robbing it of its addictive spiciness: A quick dip in salted water makes it more palatable and tender, so that it cooks quickly in the skillet.

The secret weapon in this summery salad is the golden raisins: They're soaked in apple cider vinegar, which not only sweetens the vinegar but also transforms them into plump, sweet-tart balloons that stand up against the rich and buttery pine nuts.

Typically eaten for breakfast, this creamy, crunchy dish also pairs well with savory dishes come dinnertime.

A salad that brings the drama. It's at its highest—and most delicious—with a variety of leaves, some mild and large (butter, Bibb, Little Gem), some spicy and small (like arugula).

A stunning salad that's as crunchy and refreshing as it gets—plus, you can make it up to six hours in advance.

We KonMari'd the classic wedge, got rid of all the extraneous ingredients, and ended up with a salad that sparks joy: crunchy iceberg and a rich, tangy dressing.