The Cornbread Chronicles

Any time someone mentions ham and beans, my thoughts immediately slide over to the perfect sidekick for this quintessential duo: cornbread. Cornbread, my dear readers, is the secret spice in this culinary comic book that is "Dinner with Ham and Beans". The legume-cured pork melodrama cries out for that delicious, crispy golden sidekick.

There's an aura about cornbread, with its delicate, moist center and a slightly crusty edge that can win over your palate like a beautifully composed symphony. In our household, it's practically a religion. Mabel, my delightful life partner, whips up a magnificent cornbread like she's weaving culinary magic. A dab of honey, a spritz of butter, and you're on a journey to flavour town! Not just any town, but the kind that lingers in your taste memories like a classic film.

You're probably wondering why a bloke from Sydney, Australia is so keen on cornbread. Well, it's a long story that starts with Mabel's great-aunt Edna, a pure-blooded Southerner from the US. But that's a yarn for another time. Right now, let's keep our eyes on the bread – the cornbread, that is!

Potato Salad Supreme

Mabel claims the second-best side dish to serve with ham and beans is – wait for it – Potato Salad. Not just your garden-variety potato salad, mind you, but a platter of creamy richness sprinkled with the sweet tang of pickles and a teasing hint of mustard. A symphony of flavors harmonizing with every morsel of ham and bean on your plate.

We once attended a neighborhood cookout where our dear friends, the Morellis, served up the most heavenly potato salad. It was such a hit, Lysander and Archibald, our little scoundrels, ate nothing else. Since then, we've invited the essence of that potato salad into our gatherings, and it’s been a crowd-pleaser every single time.

Massaging The Kale

It might sound mildly amusing, but hear me out. Massaged Kale Salad is another side dish I'd wholeheartedly endorse. If the word "massage" has you raising an eyebrow, let me assure you it's not as peculiar as it may seem.

See, Kale, with its rugged charm and rough edges, needs some tender, loving care before it can sit pretty on a plate. Massaging it mellows the green, making it less bitter and more palatable without losing its nutritional integrity. Slather it with a dressing of lemon and olive oil and add a toss of parmesan cheese to round it out. When done right, you've got a Salad that matches up to the vibrant richness of ham and beans.

Biscuits from Heaven

'Biscuits!' I can hear you Aussies gasping. We're talking about the savory, fluffy American-style biscuits – kind of like our scones but with an entirely different attitude. These heavenly bakes can sop up gravy, act like a bread, or be a little snack in and of themselves. And they make a delightful pair with ham and beans.

In fact, it was one such biscuit-making escapade that led to Lysander discovering his unerring love for baking. These days, he can make a mean biscuit that'll put most bakeries to shame. He insists they're simple to bake, but the smiles they elicit around our dinner table tell a different story.

Crunchy Coleslaw

Last, but by no means least, on my list of side dishes to serve with ham and beans is Coleslaw. This crunchy, refreshing salad brings a welcome contrast to the hearty ham and beans, with its jumble of shredded cabbage, carrots, and just the right amount of creamy dressing. It adds an essential textural counterpoint, a colourful confetti that lightens the plate and delights the senses.

Rousing the Rice

Nothing beats the simplicity of combining rice with ham and beans, and it's always a great way to stretch a meal further. As a faithful servant of flavour, rice will gladly soak up all that bean and ham goodness, and present it to your taste buds in an unassuming, comforting bite. A batch of steamed jasmine or a potful of spicy jambalaya rice can turn a simple ham and beans dish into a feast!

Choosing sides for ham and beans isn't a science, it's an adventure! So venture forth, my culinary comrades, and explore the realms of deliciousness awaiting you.