A cool, refreshing side dish. Inspired by these two recipes, but mostly a notional recipe.

1 large English cucumber, sliced on a mandolin to 1/8" thick
1/2 small red onion, also sliced on a mandolin to 1/8" thick (optional)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup mix of your favorite vinegars (I used mostly white vinegar + cider vinegar + red wine vinegar)

This recipe from Bon Appetit uses raw kale and brussels sprout to make a delicious, nutty salad.

Serves 2 as a main, 4 as a side.

For the salad:

1/2 bunch of Tuscan or lacinato kale (about 1/4 lb), center stem discarded, leaves thinly sliced or shredded in food processor
1/2 pint of brussels sprouts, trimmed, finely sliced or shredded in food processor
1/2 cup almonds with skins, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup finely grated Pecorino

For the dressing:

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for seasoning
Freshly ground black pepper

A tasty and easy (if somewhat time-consuming) Bon Appetit recipe. Bonus - our toddler loved it!

¼ cup olive oil
8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 pounds assorted summer squashes and zucchini, quartered lengthwise, sliced
Kosher salt
1 teaspoon Aleppo-style pepper, plus more for serving
8 ounces paccheri, fusili, or other non-noodle pasta
2 ounces Parmesan, grated (about ½ cup), plus more for serving
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ cup basil leaves, divided

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium.

Based on this Bon Appetit recipe and a modified recipe we had at the 2014 Literary Feast.

4 cups broccoli florets
Kosher salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons thinly sliced garlic
1/4 cup oyster sauce (substitute soy sauce with a dash of Worcestershire)
4 teaspoons Thai fish sauce (nam pla)
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon (or more) 1/8'-thick slices of red Thai chiles
Pinch of ground white pepper
1/2 sake

Dad tells the story of his first experience with Chiles Rellenos, with tears running down his face from the heat of the peppers, but loving every bite.  He worked long and hard to re-create that moment, and settled upon this recipe.

• 12 Anaheim peppers, skin removed (see note)
• 3 whole eggs
• 2 egg whites
• 1 Tbsp Flour
• 1 dash salt
• Queso Chihuahua (or Monterrey Jack) cheese cut in long "fingers"