Seriously, I’m crazy over the changing seasons. It’s always been a delightful phenomenon to me. Just when I tire of the current mindset, there’s a whole fresh start waiting right around the corner. I’m particularly fond of this in a culinary sense, as each new season brings such distinctive delights of its own.
I have to admit, though, that sometimes I feel like a horse in the paddocks: full of energy and all set for the race, but the bell isn’t quite ready to sound. That’s when I have to sit back (“Patience, grasshopper”) and just dream about what’s coming up, along with fun new ways I’ll combine the next season’s ingredients… and I can hardly wait!
That’s how I felt back in August, when the days were sweltering and the nights sultry and still. It seemed like forever until soups, chilis and comfort foods would seem right, and wonderful seasonal ingredients like apples, pumpkins, and butternut squash would once again be in vogue and readily available.
No more waiting now. Fall’s in full swing! I’m loving it, and thought I’d share a few of our favorite recipes here at The Café with all of you. Enjoy!
1. Tuscan Chickpea Soup w/ Melting Mozzarella and Rosemary Gremolata
Not only is this soup fabulously delicious, it’s loaded with fresh veggies and great nutrition. To me, the color and warm flavor just screams “Fall”!
2. Roasted Sweet Potato and Cranberry Salad w/ Feta, Sea-Salted-Roasted Pecans & Honey-Cumin Vinaigrette
Everyone goes crazy over this delightful salad: it’s fresh, sweet, salty and perfect for cool autumn days.
3. Sweet Potato Brioche Rolls… Pumpkin Style!
If you’re looking for something fun, unique, and sure to bring gasps of delight from all who partake, these buttery, brioche, pumpkin-shaped rolls will certainly fill the bill!
4. Pumpkin-Pie Caramel Corn – in the Microwave!
Okay, I’ll be the first to admit, this stuff is dangerous, addictive, and quite irresistible. Anything this good that can be made in less than thirty minutes should not even be legal!
5. Maple & Sea Salt Pecans
Perfect for snacking, salads, appetizers, and gift-giving; you’ll flip when you see how easy these are to make and how fantastic the results are! Just be sure to make enough—they’ll disappear like hot cakes almost before you can get them out of the oven.
So there you have it; soup to nuts. But I’ve added a little surprise to bring it full circle: our favorite recipe from this current autumn season.
6. Southwestern Pumpkin & Roasted Red Pepper Soup. You’ve got to try this! With less than sixty minutes of prep you can have the most crazy-good soup you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting. It has spicy, south-of-the-border flavor combined with a sweetness from brown sugar and coconut milk. Canned pumpkin makes it super easy to put together. Be prepared for “licked clean” bowls!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please, don't spam! Send only useful and thematic comments. Thanks!