Risotto is comfort food for me. Once I discovered how easy it is to make at home, it became one of my favorite meals to make as a special treat for myself, in many forms. I love it with tomato, or cheeses, or corn or butternut squash or pumpkin. I actually find the process of stirring and adding the broth a little at a time sort of soothing and meditative. But it is a bit of a … [Read more...] about Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Risotto
Sides
Pumpkin Sage Focaccia
It’s time to put pumpkin front and center. I love this pillowy slab of delicious fall flavor, and it is incredibly easy to make – it just takes some patience to get through the resting and rising phases! Though your patience will be well rewarded with a fresh autumn read straight from the oven. I love this served with soup or a simple pasta, or as a starter with some olive oil … [Read more...] about Pumpkin Sage Focaccia
Roasted Garlic and Spinach Orzo
And now to focus on the humble side dish. It’s easy to spend a lot of thought and time on a showstopping main, or to build a meal around it. But a delicious side dish can make a meal special, and I even think it’s worth building the rest of the meal around a dish like this creamy orzo. Its great beside a simple roasted chicken or pork tenderloin, but you can serve it as the … [Read more...] about Roasted Garlic and Spinach Orzo
Chimichurri Corn Casserole
Fresh, in season corn is simply magnificent. I buy bags and bags of it at the farmers market, much of which I eat straight from the cob, some I cut off and freeze and of course, I adore corn pudding, like my fantastic Caramelized Corn Pudding. I’ve blended it in to biscuits, stirred it into risotto, sauced it for pasta. In fact, you can search corn in the … [Read more...] about Chimichurri Corn Casserole
Bacon Creamed Zipper Peas
Rotund little zipper peas are possibly my favorite field pea, sweetly round jewels of flavor. I just love the little creamy pop of summer in every bite. I buy them in bulk during the summer season, eat them right way and freeze a huge supply for the winter. Cooking with an onion, some garlic, a piece of bacon or country ham is my quick fix, but this rich creamy dish is an extra … [Read more...] about Bacon Creamed Zipper Peas
