Puff pastry is one of those magical, almost unicorn-like ingredients. It’s so easy to use and can quickly produce French patisserie-worthy treats in your own kitchen. I find it best to thaw the pastry overnight in the refrigerator, but if you are short on time thaw it on your kitchen counter for about 30 to…
Archives for October 2017
FENNEL, PEAR AND CANDIED PECAN SALAD
Here is a crisp autumn salad, perfect for a chilly night. During the cooler months you can almost always find fennel and pears at any grocery store, making this salad a quick first course or side dish option even during the dead of winter. I love the deep, rusty color of red d’anjou pears but…
WINTER SQUASH SOUP
The combination of both carrots and winter squash give this soup its rich orange color. Choose any winter squash you can easily peel. I like to use the honeynut variety, a smaller, much sweeter hybrid of butternut squash – which is also delicious. If you have homemade chicken stock on hand you can use it…
CRATE COOKING: AUTUMN APPETIZERS
For autumn I have created a crate of cool weather ingredients for a collection of easy appetizers, including three new Basic Recipes, Simple Crostini, Candied Maple Pecans and an Autumn Appetizer Board. After a quick trip to the produce section, keep your kitchen stocked with these basic ingredients and you’ll be ready to host a…
SIMPLE CROSTINI
Crostini are great to have on hand for a party, perfect for serving plain alongside a dip or cheese. You can also top them with any number of your favorite ingredients. I like to toast crostini very lightly with hardly any color. These are another entertaining item you can make in advance. Simple Crostini makes…
AUTUMN APPETIZER BOARD
Perfect for autumn entertaining, this fresh and easy appetizer board is great to serve alongside fondue or with a selection of dips. Add some Candied Maple Pecans and Simple Crostini for a tasty addition to a cocktail party. If you don’t have a platter use a large wooden cutting board. Autumn Appetizer Board serves 8 Ingredients…