>
>All,
>
>I'm having a casual New Year's Day dinner for 6, and as several of the
>guests are from the southwest I was planning tamales as one of the
>dishes. Now I'm stumped for the rest of the meal, because half the
>people at the table will be on a low-carb diet and that means no beans,
>rice, tortillas, etc. that traditionally accompany mexican fare. Even
>the tamales are pushing it, but hey, it is the New Year.
>
>I'm thinking of adding spanish style roasted cornish hens to the menu
>(baked with tomato, olives, ham) but after that I'm stumped.
>
>Has anyone got ideas for vegetables that fit the spanish-mexican theme,
>or other side dishes that aren't starchy?
>
>
>
>Dawn
>
Fennel, if you can get it, makes an excellent accompaniment to any full
flavoured roast bird. Bake it with Parmigiano and the sharp cheese and anise
notes will stand up to the other strong flavours.

John