Cole Slaw

This slaw would pair nicely with grilled chicken breasts or roasted chicken.

"My husband and I celebrated my fiftieth birthday on the island of St. John, where we enjoyed many terrific meals," says Eileen Hruby of Tom's River, NJ. "One day, we had lunch at Pusser's Ltd. in Cruz Bay. The coleslaw they served was extraordinary: cool and hot at the same time. I have no idea how it was made." Serrano chilies give this dish a real kick; the lime juice makes it refreshing.

A delicious side dish from Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue in Raleigh, North Carolina.

My mother always made wonderful side dishes — and made them look so easy. Indeed, they were! A few fresh vegetables, great herbs, a little mustard or vinegar, and kosher salt were all it took for her to make something taste like it came right from the garden. Here's her incredibly simple recipe for coleslaw — a step removed from traditional recipes that are typically bland and smothered in mayonnaise, this slaw is sharp and crunchy and great with salads, roast meats, and sandwiches.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

For a nice variation, try making this one with Napa cabbage. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Wonderful as a side dish with grilled sea bass, halibut, or marinated, skewered shrimp.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A fresh-tasting main-course salad.

An interesting and slightly sweet salad that's great with sandwiches, burgers and grilled chicken. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A "skinny" version that features nonfat yogurt and light mayonnaise in the dressing. Lemon peel and celery seeds add zip. Try with grilled steak, chicken, or salmon.

This pretty salad would be great alongside grilled sausages, chicken, or burgers.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The homey and hearty dishes of Louis Szathmáry—a splendidly mustached man who was the chef-owner of Chicago's well-known Hungarian restaurant The Bakery—are the inspiration for this dinner. Of course, chef Louis cooked using lots of butter and cream, but with just a touch of fat we've retained many of the same earthy flavors that he loved. Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 1‚ hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

When slicing the cabbage, try to go nice and thin. Toss with the dressing and let it rest before serving, so the vegetables will soften. The slaw becomes creamy then.