Recipes

This database is a compilation of treasured childhood favorite recipes and anecdotes from friends, family members, and readers. From everyday meals to “show stoppers,” nostalgic dishes are chosen to warm hearts, evoke memories and preserve or create family traditions. We would love to hear from you- if you would like to submit a recipe, please include background information on what the recipe means to you. Submit

You can search for a recipe by name, ingredient, nationality, or course (i.e. main dish, cookie, salad)

Fruit Kuchen

Kuchen is a traditional German dessert or teacake brought over to Chile during and after WWII. You can use fresh, frozen, or canned fruit.

Brownies Rio Verde:

I never had a perfect brownie recipe until I discovered a thick and chewy recipe we used for desserts at Estancia Rio Verde. They are delicious as is or sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Tart Summer Lemon Pie

Martha Stewart (the crust) meets Estancia Rio Verde in this very easy rendition of a lemon meringue pie. Tart and fresh for summer dessert.

Spicy Lentils with Chorizo

While working as a chef at the Estancia Rio Verde in Patagonia, we would make a “menu del dia” for the workers and passers by who wanted a “working man’s” meal.

Alfahores or Dulce de Leche filled Cookies

These traditional Chilean or Argentine cookies are called Alfahores. They are sold in corner bakeries and children die for them. They are worth the special effort for a special occasion.

Porotoes- Chilean Beans

These were served at my first Chilean Asado at Estancia Rio Verde over ten years ago. The fresh pumpkin taste with soft, smooth, white beans cooked with love by Tia Angelica have remained in my memory since.

Pebre- Chilean Salsa

Pebre is pungent fresh herb sauce and is a traditional condiment to the bbq or ASADO in Southern Patagonia. While it looks like Mexican salsa, it has a unique taste from the vinegar and is not spicy.

Traditional Pisco Sour/Fruity Pisco Sour

The traditional Chilean drink served in small glasses as an aperitif. Pisco is grape brandy- the best way to think of it is what´s left over after making wine, but before grappa. So delicious- sweet, sour, and fuerte!

Asian Style Short Ribs in Butter Lettuce Wraps

You can get kids to eat just about anything if they can play with it. This recipes is a combination of Asian flavors and textures all wrapped up for a tasty summer treat.

Spicy Green Kale with Toasted Pine Nuts

The taste and texture of kale is a favorite fall treat, and you can almost feel the vitamins and antioxidants entering your bloodstream. Steaming and sauteeing takes awy any bitter flavor and leaves you with a rich, dark, nourishing yumminess.

Winter Squash and Spinach Gratin

The flavors of fall meld together in this gratin to create a nutty, rich, bubbling celebration of the harvest.

Roast Beef Perfection

The highlight of purchasing 1/2 of a local, organic cow each year is the day we share the dramatic and delicious Prime Rib with friends and family.

Best Sesame Noodles

In the constant battle to figure out ways to make veggies attractive to kids, sesame noodles can be considered a secret weapon.

Crème de Menthe Brownies

When my mom served these brownies over the holidays they instantly brought back childhood memories- I probably hadn’t had one in thirty years! I made them again on New Year’s Day and had 10-year old girls begging to help arrange them on a plate and pass them around.

Christmas Gougére

Whenever I think about an appetizer for a holiday party my friend Lisa’s puffy, cheesy gougére is the first thing that comes to mind.

Classic Beef Pot Roast

While I love to experiment with new recipes like Braised Beef with Chocolate and Rosemary but there are times that nothing will satisfy like a good old-fasioned pot roast.

Mrs. Zajac's English Scones

A true family favorite, these simple buttery scones never fail to bring back memories of my grandmother’s warm Vermont country kitchen.

Braised Beef with Chocolate and Rosemary

When I saw a version of this recipe in Bon Appetit I knew I had to try it for the sake of my chocoholic 4-year old and husband.

Farmer's Market Pie Crust

A lot of recipes that claimed to be “fool proof” but this one was the only one I found that could be processed in bulk in an 80 degree kitchen and perform well under even a 4-year old’s rolling pin.

Giant Ginger Cookies

89- year old Jeannie Gordon loved to visit with the neighborhood kids, and they would flock to her house knowing they would always be rewarded with a special treat.

Fresh and Fruity Granola

There is never enough of the “good stuff” in store bought cereals, no matter how much you pay for them.

Lemon-Honey Pesto Pasta

Once you try this creamy pesto with lemon and honey it will be hard to go back to the basics.

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

There are no attempts at lowering the fat of this recipe-it is creamy, cheesy and hearty. A special treat!

Pastel de Choclo

...a typical Chilean dish served for almuerzo, or lunch, the main meal of the day.

Baked Artichoke Dip

This version has been lightened up a little, but still has the same satisfying taste.

Maque Choux

A decadent sweet and salty combination of vegetables, fresh corn, bacon and cream that is best served with lean meats like grilled chicken or seafood.

Spruce Island Chocolate Cake

This family recipe is the first in my 10-year old neice’s battered handwritten cookbook.

Savory Muffins

These muffins are an ideal way to sneak veggies into a picky eater’s food.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

High in protien these pancakes provide long lasting energy. Like green eggs and ham, first timers may be a bit skeptical…