Category Archives: sides

Potato-ham gratin with shallots and cheddar

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Rivertree kitchen

Here’s what I dream of lately*: Gentle ocean breezes. The scent of lilacs in full bloom. The warmth of the sun on my face. My whole face, not just the tip of my nose, which is the only exposed body … Continue reading →

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Roasted tomato and farro gratin

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Rivertree kitchen

A few weeks ago, on a whim (and because Deb Perelman never steers me wrong), I tried Smitten Kitchen’s Slow-Roasted Tomatoes. They’re drier than the oven-roasted tomatoes I’d made before, but more moist than sun-dried tomatoes. The flavor is sweet, … Continue reading →

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Broccoli with lemon and feta

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Rivertree kitchen

Great produce, straight from the garden, is wonderful. Here in Wisconsin, where the growing season is so brief, gorgeous, straight-from-the-earth produce is  a gift. I’m lucky enough to work with Brigid Ferkett, one half of the team that runs organic … Continue reading →

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Rice pilaf with toasted soba noodles

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Rivertree kitchen

There’s a pasta cooking technique that involves breaking thin noodles (usually spaghetti or linguine) in small pieces, frying them until golden in copious amounts of oil, then boiling them as usual. The result is tender pasta with lots of flavor … Continue reading →

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Crunchy carrot salad for the 21st century

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Rivertree kitchen

As I’ve said before, we adore carrots in all their myriad forms here at Rivertree Kitchen. I’ve cooked them with honey and chiles, tossed them in with a roasting chicken, shredded them into Thai peanut noodles, even baked them in … Continue reading →

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To the letter, or not? Grandma’s dressing

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Rivertree kitchen

First, accept my apologies for committing the cardinal sin of posting without a photo. I wrote this draft at Thanksgiving (obviously); I got caught up in the holiday celebrations and forgot to bring out my camera. A modestly edited version … Continue reading →

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Cheddar-chive biscuits

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Rivertree kitchen

Biscuits! Light, flaky, rich, and cheesy (and remarkably speedy to make), they make frequent appearances at our house. They’re decadent, so I usually serve them with something healthy, such as soup or big salads. I hear that you are not considered … Continue reading →

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Garlicky zucchini noodles

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Rivertree kitchen

I had a honkin’ big zucchini from a friend’s garden. Actually, that’s what led me to search for a new recipe, that baseball bat of a squash lording over the tiny cherry tomatoes on my kitchen counter, issuing a challenge. … Continue reading →

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Pasta with spicy peanut sauce

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Rivertree kitchen

Our house does not have air conditioning. (Yes, Wisconsin does get hot —sometimes downright steamy — in the summer.) Most of the time this is manageable, since we are shaded by the many trees on our property, but keeping the … Continue reading →

Posted in main courses, pasta, rice, and grains, salads, sauces, sides | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Zucchini with pepitas: Too much is just enough

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Rivertree kitchen

When is a vegetable cooked properly? Should it retain some crunch, or  be cooked to melting tenderness? Tom and I are often at odds on this subject. We both prefer our carrots to be steamed (or roasted, or braised) nearly … Continue reading →

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