That mound of apples and that mound of pears looked so beautiful at the market, so who could resist bringing them home. Now what to do with all this delicious fruit before it goes bad?
Here are a few ideas.
Apple Cinnamon Scones
Makes 12 scones
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups Self-Rising Flour (flour that contains baking powder and salt)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Apple Pie Spice or ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) cold butter
- 2 apples, peeled, in 1/2″ pieces
- 3/4 cup cinnamon chips
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened
- Topping: milk and cinnamon sugar
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and apple pie spice.
Work in the butter with your fingers or a pastry blender just until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in the chopped apple and cinnamon chips.
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla and applesauce.
Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until all the mixture holds together.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Sprinkle flour on the work surface.
Scrape the dough onto the floured surface and divide it in half. Gently pat and round each half into a 5″ to 5 1/2″ circle about 3/4″ thick.
Stir together the coarse sugar and cinnamon. Brush each circle with milk, and sprinkle with the topping.
Using a bench knife, slice each circle into 6 wedges.
Carefully place each wedge on the parchment lined pans, at least a 1 inch apart.
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Bake the scones for 20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. Rotate the pans after 10 minutes.
Remove the scones from the oven, and cool briefly on the pan. Serve warm. When they’re completely cool, wrap in plastic and store at room temperature for up to several days.
Apple Crunch Bagels
Ingredients
Bagels
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
- 6 cups bread flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
- 2 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
- 2 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith apples, about 2 medium apples
Topping
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup room temperature butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon apple pie spice
- Pinch of salt
Directions
In a medium saucepan, warm cider and butter just until the butter is melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine two cups of bread flour, the brown sugar, the cooled cider mixture, salt, apple pie spice, apples and yeast with the paddle attachment on medium speed.
Keeping the mixer on medium, add the remaining bread flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough comes together and is just barely sticky.
Switch to the dough hook attachment and “knead” the dough for about 6 minutes or until the dough is elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot. Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size, about an hour.
Cover 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Punch the dough down and separate into 12 equal sized balls. on a well floured surface.
Roll and stretch one ball into an 8 inch-long rope and don’t taper ends.
Wrap the rope around your fingers, overlapping the ends by 2 inches, to create a ring. Pinch the ends together.
Once the bagels are shaped, place them on a kitchen towel to rise for another 10 minutes.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and heat the oven to 425 degrees F
To prepare the topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, spice mix, salt and butter in a small bowl and mix until it is crumbly. Beat the egg with one teaspoon of water.
When the water comes to a boil, drop 4 bagels in at a time and boil for about 30 seconds per side. Remove with a slotted spoon to a kitchen towel.
After boiling, place the bagels on the parchment covered pans and brush with the egg mixture. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the bagels.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the bagels are golden brown, rotating the pans after 12 minutes.
Pear & Celery Salad
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 4 stalks celery, trimmed and cut in half crosswise
- 2 tablespoons cider, pear, raspberry or other fruit vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 ripe pears, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 6 large leaves romaine lettuce, shredded
Directions
Soak celery in a bowl of ice water for 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
Whisk vinegar, honey and salt in a large bowl until blended. Add pears; gently stir to coat. Add the celery, cheese and pecans; stir to combine. Season with pepper.
Divide the lettuce leaves among 4 plates and top with a portion of salad. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Pork Chops with Pear & Ginger Sauce
2 servings
Ingredients
- Two 4-ounce boneless pork chops, 1/2 inch thick, trimmed
- Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 medium ripe pear, peeled, cored and diced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 shallot, trimmed and sliced
Directions
Season the pork with salt and pepper and coat in the cornstarch. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the pork and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
Add the sliced shallots and cook for about 2 minutes. Pour in the vinegar and honey; stir to dissolve. Add the wine and bring to a simmer, stirring.
Add the pears and ginger. Cook, uncovered, stirring the pears occasionally, for 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and return the pork and any accumulated juices to the pan; turn to coat with the sauce and heat through. Serve with a side of roasted acorn squash.
Looking forward to fall? One of the nice things about early fall is that the weather is still warm but not too hot and there are plenty of fruits and vegetables to choose from at the markets. This dinner menu I planned for you takes advantage of the season’s delicious offerings, like mushrooms, squash, spinach. pears and pork. This dinner serves four but can easily be doubled for a company dinner.
Pork Tenderloin in Mushroom Wine Sauce
Pork
- 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb)
- 1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
- ¼ cup porcini dried mushrooms
- ¾ cup boiling water
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Wine Sauce
- 1 cup dry red wine
- Porcini broth
- 1 tablespoon butter
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
Combine the porcini and boiling water in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large oven proof skillet. Add the chopped onion and saute until the onion is soft.
Add the garlic and fresh mushrooms and continue cooking for another 3 minutes.
Strain the porcini in a fine mesh colander and reserve the drained mushroom water. Add the porcini to the skillet with the fresh mushrooms.
Season with salt and pepper and stir in the oregano and thyme. Set aside.
Butterfly the pork, by cutting the pork down the center, without completely cutting through, so when the two halves are opened they resemble a butterfly.
Use a meat mallet to flatten the meat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Spread the mushroom filling down the center of the pork and bring the 2 sides up. Use butcher string to tie around the roll at 1 inch intervals.
Season the stuffed pork with salt and pepper and in the same ovenproof skillet heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
Sear the pork on all sides and place the skillet in the preheated oven.
Roast uncovered for about 20 minutes or until done to your preference.
Remove the skillet from the oven and place the pork on a platter.
Place the skillet back on the stovetop. Add the red wine and the strained porcini water and bring to a boil. Cook the sauce until it is reduced by half.
Remove the pan from the from the heat and stir in the butter.
Cut the strings off the pork and slice into thin rounds. Arrange the pork on a serving platter and pour the wine sauce over the slices.
Italian Style Spaghetti Squash
Cook the squash a few hours earlier, so it will be cool enough to handle.
Serves 4.
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash, about 1 1/2 pounds
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Pierce the squash in several places with a sharp knife. Cover a baking sheet with foil and place the squash on top.
Bake for one hour or until the squash is soft and easy to cut with a knife. Remove from the heat and allow to cool until you can handle it.
Cut in half lengthwise and allow to cool some more. Remove the seeds and discard. Scoop out the flesh from the squash and place in a bowl.
Run a fork through the flesh to separate the spaghetti like strands.
Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add the garlic and breadcrumbs.
When the breadcrumbs begin to sizzle and turn crisp, stir in the squash strands and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Toss all together over medium heat until the squash is infused with the breadcrumbs, garlic and oil and heated through, about 5 minutes.
Remove to a warm serving dish, top with freshly grated Parmesan and serve.
Sautéed Spinach and Garlic
Ingredients
- Two 10 oz packages of fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, sliced thin
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Directions
Heat the olive oil and garlic in a skillet. Add the spinach and salt and pepper to taste. Cook just until the spinach is wilted. Stir in the lemon juice. Serve immediately.
Pear Turnovers
4 turnovers
Ingredients
- 1 sheet of frozen prepared puff pastry, thawed
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups chopped peeled pears (about 3 medium pears)
- 1 egg beaten
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Combine the honey, cornstarch, ginger and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Stir in the chopped pears.
Roll the pastry into a 12 inch square on a floured board. Cut the pastry sheet into four equal squares.
Spoon 1/3 cup of the pear mixture into the center of each square and brush the edges with beaten egg. Fold diagonally in half and press the edges with a fork to seal.
With a wide spatula, place the turnovers on a parchment covered baking pan. Brush the turnovers with beaten egg.
Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the turnovers are puffy and golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
This coming weekend is Memorial Day and the official start of BBQ season. That means lots of ribs, burgers, steaks, kebabs and corn on the cob. If you are going to invite friends over, it will take some planning. What if you are not in the mood for cooking for lots of folks this weekend? Well don’t. You can still have that BBQ shindig, but for just 2 or 3. This is what we will be having at our Memorial Day BBQ.
Grilled Ham Steak with Pear Topping
For Two
I am not a huge fan of ham steak, but my husband is, so over the years I have worked on making ham steaks taste good. I learned that to make the meat tender, it is important to marinate the steaks overnight. To avoid a dry end result, cook them quickly on the grill and make a flavorful topping. Here is my recipe and it works for us.
Ham Marinade
- Juice of one orange – (save the orange rind for the braised carrot recipe below)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 fully cooked boneless ham steak (1- 3/4 pounds)
Pear Topping
- 1 Bartlett pear, cored and diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ cup of pecans
Directions
In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the marinade ingredients. Add ham; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate overnight.
Heat an outdoor grill. Brush the grates with oil
On a sheet of heavy-duty foil large enough to hold the diced pears, place the diced pears and pecans in the center of the foil. Dot with the butter and sprinkle on the brown sugar and ginger.
Close the foil into a package and place on the grill Cook for 10 minutes before placing the ham on the grill.
Drain the ham from the marinade and reserve the marinade. Rotate the pear packet on the grill.
Grill the ham steak over medium-hot heat for 3 minutes on each side, basting frequently with the reserved marinade.
Remove the pear packet and spoon the pear sauce over the ham.
Cheddar Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
In a large bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, baking soda, salt and pepper; make a well in center of flour mixture.
Whisk together the buttermilk, honey and eggs. Add to the flour mixture and gently incorporate the dry ingredients. Mix in the cheese.
Place the butter in an 8-inch baking pan and place the pan in the oven until the butter melts. Remove the pan from oven and tilt to coat bottom and sides.
Pour the batter into the buttered pan and bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.
Let cornbread cool 15 minutes before cutting.
Braised Carrots and Fennel
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¾ lb carrots (1 fresh bunch; about 6 or 7) – cut into matchsticks
- 1 fennel bulb – ends trimmed, bulb cut in half, each half cored and cut lengthwise in 1/8″ slices
- 2 strips of orange zest – 1″ x 4″ long
- 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds – crushed in a mortar
- 5 tablespoons orange juice
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Directions
Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat. Add the butter, olive oil and honey. Stir well and add the carrots, fennel, orange zest and fennel seeds.
Toss until the slices are well coated with the oil. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the fennel starts to soften, tossing occasionally.
Add the orange juice, salt and pepper. Toss quickly and reduce heat to between medium and medium-low. Cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Uncover the pan. Raise heat to high and fast-simmer until the juices have all evaporated, about 5 minutes. Remove orange zest and stir in the dill.
Lemon Coconut Cupcakes
20 cupcakes
Ingredients
Cake
- 18.5 oz pkg. Lemon Supreme cake mix
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature and very soft
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- Cupcake liners
Coconut Topping
This frosting is very stable and does not melt or weep at room temperature like many standard whipped cream frostings or change in any way under refrigeration.
- One 8 oz pkg low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon coconut extract
- 2 cups cold heavy (whipping) cream
- Sweetened shredded coconut
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Coat muffin cups with cooking spray and place a cupcake liner in each.
In the large bowl of an electric mixer, combine the cake ingredients. Then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Using an ice cream scoop fill the muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake 15 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove them to a wire rack. Cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting
Combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar and coconut extract in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.
Fit the mixer with the whisk attachment and mix on medium speed until smooth.
While the mixture is still whipping, slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stop and scrape the bottom of the bowl a couple of times, while you continue whipping until the cream can hold a stiff peak.
Spread each cupcake generously with the frosting and top each with sweetened coconut. Press the coconut lightly, so it sticks to the frosting. Chill until serving time.
Longing for a salad even though it is cold outside? By using seasonal produce, you can make salads even with snow on the ground. This time of year switch to dark leafy greens, cold-weather vegetables like broccoli, beets and squash and seasonal fruits like pears and citrus. Add flavorful dressings to balance the heartier tastes and textures. For a full-meal salad, finish the salad with cooked beans, meat or seafood and a bit of your favorite cheese or toasted nuts. Winter vegetables also make delicious salads, especially after they have been roasted.
Winter Salad with Spinach, Pears and Walnuts
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
- 3 Anjou, Bosc or Comice pears
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon German Dusseldorf mustard or yellow prepared mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 3/4 pound spinach, torn into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Directions
Chop 1 pear and slice the remaining two.
Put the chopped pear, oil, vinegar, mustard and honey into a blender and purée. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons water, more if needed, to make a thin, pourable dressing.
Put spinach, onion, walnuts, feta cheese, sliced pears and dressing into a large bowl and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Chickpea Salad with White Wine Vinaigrette
Serves 2
VINAIGRETTE
- ¼ cup finely minced shallot
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp stone-ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
SALAD:
- 1 large avocado
- 1 lemon
- 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
- ¾ cup cooked black lentils (rinsed and drained)
- ¼ cup sliced Kalamata olives
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 3 handfuls Italian kale
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Directions
Place all dressing ingredients in a jar. Seal and shake vigorously until well combined. Let sit for at least 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preferences.
Cut the avocado in half and discard the pit. Chop the flesh into a small bowl and toss with a squeeze or two of lemon juice to help prevent browning.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all salad ingredients together.
Pour about half the dressing over the top and toss with salad tongs or a large fork and spoon to thoroughly blend the ingredients and coat lightly with the dressing.
Top with a big squeeze of lemon, and salt and pepper to taste. Add more dressing, if needed. Serve immediately.
Winter Citrus Salad
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons pistachio, almond or any nut flavored oil
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon white or golden balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon agave syrup or honey
- Pinch salt
- 2 oranges (segmented)
- 2 pink grapefruits (segmented)
- 2 tangerines or satsumas (peeled)
- 3 oz mixed baby salad greens (about 3-1/2 cups, lightly packed)
- 4 cups frisée or curly endive, oak leaf or red leaf lettuce, lightly packed
- 1/3 cup shelled, roasted pistachios
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
Remove the peel and white pith from the fruit with a small, sharp knife. Working over a shallow bowl, slice down either side of each membrane, releasing the citrus segments into the bowl.
Remove any seeds from the fruit. Drain and reserve the accumulated juices for the dressing.
Place the oil, orange juice, vinegar, agave and salt in a small glass jar and seal the lid. Shake vigorously to combine. (The dressing can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 5 days. For best flavor, bring to room temperature before using.)
Place the segmented citrus in a large salad bowl. Drizzle some of the dressing over the fruit and toss to coat. Add the greens and toss to combine, adding more dressing to lightly coat the greens as well.
Transfer the salad to a platter and sprinkle with the pistachios. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.
Italian Barley Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup uncooked, quick-cooking barley
- 14-ounce can quartered artichoke hearts (chilled) or one package of frozen artichoke hearts, defrosted
- 12 pitted kalamata olives
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- 4 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried basil, crumbled
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium garlic clove, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat. Stir in the barley. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes or until the barley is just tender but firm. Transfer the barley to a colander. Drain well. Place in a medium bowl to cool.
Dry artichokes on paper towels. Coarsely chop the artichokes and olives, dice the bell pepper, quarter the tomatoes and cut the cheese into one-quarter inch cubes.
In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic, dried basil, salt and pepper. Whisk in oil.
Combine the cooked and cooled barley with the vegetables and cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss to blend. serve immediately of refrigerate until serving time.
Red Grapefruit and Beet Salad
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 3 medium beets, greens removed
- 2 red grapefruits
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Wrap beets individually in aluminum foil and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until beets are tender when pressed through the foil and a knife slides easily into them when unwrapped, 50 to 60 minutes.
When cool enough to handle, unwrap beets and rub each with a paper towel to remove skins. Halve and slice beets.
Cut thin slices off the top and bottom of a grapefruit and set on a cutting board. Slice down along the curve of the fruit, removing all skin and white pith and cutting all the way to the flesh.
Working over a bowl, cut along each side of the membranes to release the sections, allowing them to fall into the bowl along with any juice. Repeat with remaining grapefruit.
Gently stir in honey and salt. Add beets and toss. Garnish with mint. Serve or chill until serving time.
Just because you’re trying to eat healthy doesn’t mean you can’t have dessert. You just have to choose carefully. High fat ingredients contain saturated fat and they can cause higher cholesterol levels in the body. Desserts and sweets don’t have the nutritional value that other foods do, but if you stick with healthier recipes and less-frequent, reasonable portions, desserts can fit into your healthy eating plan. Make fruit a part of your dessert menu as much as possible, whether it is the dessert itself or is part of a recipe. Although fruit is high in carbohydrates, it’s also filled with vitamins, minerals and fiber. If you crave something more, try adding fruit to sugar-free gelatin or mixing up a quick fruit salad. You will be amazed at how delicious these healthy dessert recipes taste.
Almond Brown Rice Pudding
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pitted dates
- 1 cup uncooked brown rice
- 4 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup toasted, chopped slivered almonds
Directions
Place dates in a bowl and pour 1/2 cup boiling water over them. Let soak 15 minutes, then transfer dates and water to a blender and puree until smooth to make a date syrup.
Bring rice and almond milk to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until rice is cooked and has absorbed most of the almond milk, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.
Stir date syrup, raisins, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon and almonds into the cooked rice and serve warm or cold.
Pumpkin-Peanut Butter Cookies
Makes 3 1/2 dozen cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- 3/4 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie mix)
- 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup finely chopped pitted dates (6 ounces whole dates)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Combine peanuts and oats in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse about 25 times to create a coarse meal. Add cocoa and salt and pulse a few more times to combine.
Put pumpkin purée and peanut butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until the peanut butter and pumpkin are incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary, about 2 minutes.
Add vanilla and dates and mix until combined, about 1 minute. On low-speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture. Mix until completely combined, forming a dense dough.
Scoop up tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls. Arrange on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Press down on the balls with the back of a fork first in one direction and then in the other to form a checkerboard design on each cookie.
Bake until the cookies are firm and dried, about 12 minutes. Cool cookies on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Place cooled cookies in an airtight container and store at room temperature up to 4 days or refrigerate up to 1 week.
Carrot-Almond Cake
Serves 12
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil, divided, plus more for the pan
- 3 cups grated carrots, divided
- 1 3/4 cups almond flour, divided
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 cup light brown sugar, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup light sour cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Oil an 8 x 8-inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, make the crumb topping by combining 1 cup carrots, 1/4 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon oil; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 1 1/2 cups almond flour and the 1 cup all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In a second large bowl, whisk together sour cream, vanilla, eggs, remaining 3/4 cup sugar and remaining oil. Add flour mixture to the large bowl and whisk again until incorporated; fold in the remaining 2 cups carrots.
Transfer to the prepared pan and scatter crumb topping over the top. Bake until the cake springs back in the middle when pressed, and is deep golden brown, 50 to 60 minutes.
Set aside to let cool until warm, then remove from the pan and transfer to a plate, discarding the parchment paper. Cut into squares or wedges and serve.
Sweet Potato Apple Pie
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 2 medium)
- 1 (9 to 9 1/2-inch) unbaked pie shell
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and cut into thin slices
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Prick sweet potatoes with a fork and place them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake about 1 hour or until very tender. Remove from the oven and let cool.
Line pastry shell with parchment paper or foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake on the lower rack of the oven about 15 minutes or until just starting to set. Remove the weights and continue to bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes.
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
Meanwhile, peel sweet potatoes and transfer flesh to the bowl of a food processor. Discard skins. Process until potatoes are puréed. Transfer 1 1/4 cups purée to a large bowl. Add milk, sugar, flour, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt and whisk until combined and smooth.
Layer apple slices in concentric circles in the bottom of the cooled crust. Pour sweet potato filling into the crust over the apples. Bake about 50 minutes or until just set in the center of the pie.
Let cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Serve or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Pear Crumble
6 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup regular rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons whole wheat pastry flour
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cold butter, cut into small pieces
- 3 medium pears, cored and cut into thin wedges
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Frozen vanilla yogurt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl combine oats, flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar and cinnamon. Mix with a fork until combined. Add the butter and work it in with your fingers, a fork or a pastry blender until the mixture begins to form clumps.
In a large bowl toss the pears with the water, lemon juice and remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Transfer pear mixture to a 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the pears.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the topping is golden and the pears are tender. If desired, serve warm with frozen yogurt.
Tip
To make individual servings, prepare as above, except divide the pear mixture among six 6-ounce custard cups or ramekins. Sprinkle with oat mixture and bake about 35 minutes or until the pears are tender. Serve as above.
With the holidays approaching and those sumptuous meals and desserts awaiting us, we may want to consider eating lighter in the weeks before the holidays. Earlier this week I gave you some ideas for dinner and, in today’s post, I am sharing some lighter and easy to make lunch recipes. This is a busy time of year, so you do not want recipes that are very involved or time consuming to make in the weeks leading up to the holidays.
Mediterranean Pita
2 servings
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- Salt and pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 heated pita halves
Directions
Whisk eggs in a mixing bowl, add the oregano and season with salt and pepper.
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Cook eggs, stirring frequently, until just set, 1 to 2 minutes; stir in spinach and tomatoes.
Cook until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes are heated.
Place 2 tablespoons of crumbled feta in each warm pita half and divide the egg mixture between each pita half.
Minestrone
6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Two 14 ounce cans reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups water
- One 15 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup elbow macaroni or other short pasta
- 6 cups coarsely torn, trimmed Swiss chard or 8 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
- One 14 1/2 ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
- Fresh basil for garnish
Directions
In 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven cook onion in hot oil over medium heat until tender, stirring occasionally.
Add broth, water, beans, zucchini, carrots and garlic. Bring to boiling.
Add pasta and dried oregano. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered for 5 minutes.
Stir in Swiss chard. (If using spinach wait until you add the tomatoes.)
Simmer, uncovered, 5 to 7 minutes more or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
Stir in tomatoes (and spinach if using in place of chard). Remove from the heat. Season with salt and black pepper. Garnish with fresh basil.
Warm Turkey, Pear and Cheese Salad
It you still have leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, this salad it a good way to use some of it up.
4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound leftover sliced turkey or thin turkey cutlets
- 1 tablespoon honey mustard, divided
- ¼ cup olive oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 pears, cored and sliced thin
- 4 slices provolone cheese, cut in half
- 5 ounces arugula (8 cups) or your favorite salad greens
- Salt and ground black pepper
Directions
Cut the turkey into eight pieces and brush each lightly with a ½ tablespoon of the honey mustard.
In a 12-inch skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Cook turkey cutlets or heat leftover turkey in an even layer in the hot oil for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
Layer pears on top of the turkey; top each with a half-slice of cheese. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and heat for 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and pears are warm.
Divide arugula among serving dishes; top with turkey slices.
For the dressing:
Whisk remaining mustard and oil along with the vinegar. Drizzle dressing on each serving.
Salmon Open-Faced Sandwiches
4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 ounces light cream cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, dill, chives, thyme)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 8 thin slices of your favorite bread, lightly toasted (I like pumpernickel or rye)
- 4 ounces smoked salmon
- 1 cup arugula
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons large capers
Directions
Mix together the cream cheese and the herbs and season with pepper.
Spread mixture on each piece of toast and evenly top each with salmon, onion, capers and arugula.
Clementine Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Some markets sell loose pomegranate seeds in a cup as a time saver.
6 servings
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 10 cups arugula or your favorite salad greens
- 8 seedless clementines, peeled and broken into segments
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
Directions
To remove pomegranate seeds:
Score an “X” in the top of a pomegranate. Break pomegranate apart into quarters. Working in a bowl of cool water, immerse each quarter; use your fingers to loosen the seeds from the white membrane. Discard peel and membrane. Drain seeds in a fine wire mesh colander. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours before using.
To prepare the dressing:
In a screw-top jar combine lime juice, oil, honey, poppy seeds, kosher salt and pepper. Cover and shake well.
In a large salad bowl toss dressing with arugula. Add clementine segments; gently toss. Sprinkle with walnuts and pomegranate seeds. Serve.
Adding wine to your favorite recipe can add wonderful flavor—but too much or the wrong style wine can also ruin the taste of the dish. Wine contains sugars, acids and tannins and each of these tastes may be noticeable in your finished recipe.
A very dry wine has very few natural sugars remaining and is usually higher in alcohol. In contrast, the sweeter wines contain a larger amount of natural sugar from the grapes.
Acid is a term used to describe both red and white wines and it refers to the sharp bite in the wine (much like you would experience with lemon juice or vinegar). Acid can help bring out the natural flavors in a mild food, such as fish (this is why fish is often served with a wedge of lemon). To maintain a balance, check your recipe for acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar and cut back to make room for the acid in the wine.
Tannins are generally found in red wines and refers to the bitter element in the wine (similar to the bitterness you’ll find in a strong cup of tea). The tannins in red wine pair well with strongly flavored dishes and hearty foods, like steak.
Red or White?
Use the type of wine in the recipe that you would serve with the dish you are making. Unless you’re serving a rare or expensive wine, buy an extra bottle and use it in the recipe.
Generally, it’s thought that a light-flavored wine goes best with delicately flavored foods. It would follow that a bold-tasting wine might do well in a boldly flavored dish. For example, a dish heavily spiced usually needs a full-bodied red wine to stand up to it. One with a light or creamy sauce calls for a drier, light white wine.
When you’re making a red wine reduction sauce, watch out for the wine’s tannins, as they can become harsh in this type of recipe.
Read the bottle to find out what flavors are present in the wine, then you can be sure that it will work well with the same flavors in your recipe. The most important thing to remember is that if you like drinking it, you’ll like the flavor that it will add to your food. For deeper flavors, experiment with fortified wines like Port, Sherry, Madeira and Marsala.
Here are some recipes that use wine in a variety of ways.
Mussels in White Wine
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 4 pounds mussels, de-bearded, scrubbed
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- Italian country-style bread (for serving)
Directions
Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it begins to darken, about 2 minutes. Add wine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is slightly reduced, about 1 minute.
Add mussels and 1/2 cup water to the pot, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mussels open (discard any that do not open), 10–12 minutes.
Ladle mussels and broth into shallow bowls and top with thyme; serve with bread.
Pasta all’Amatriciana
8 servings
Ingredients
- Two 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 ounces guanciale (salt-cured pork jowl), finely chopped
- 4 ounces pancetta (Italian bacon), finely chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
- 1 pound penne or other tube-shaped pasta
- Finely grated Pecorino or Parmesan
Directions
Purée tomatoes with juices in a blender; set aside. Cook onion, guanciale, pancetta, oil, red pepper flakes and 1/2 cup water in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the water is evaporated and fat begins to render, 8–10 minutes.
Add tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring often, until reduced by half, 5–8 minutes.
Add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Cover pan partially with a lid, reduce heat, and simmer until the meat is tender and flavors are melded, 40–45 minutes. Add sugar and season with salt and pepper.
When the sauce is almost done, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente; drain pasta.
Add pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Serve topped with Pecorino.
Red Wine-Braised Brisket
10–12 Servings
Ingredients
- One 5-lb. untrimmed flat-cut brisket
- Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 celery stalks with leaves
- 5 garlic cloves, smashed
- 6 sprigs thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- One 28-oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- One 750ml bottle full-bodied red wine
- 8 carrots, peeled and cut in half
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Season brisket with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large ovenproof pot with a cover over medium-high. Cook brisket, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 8–10 minutes; transfer to a plate. Discard the fat in the pot.
Place onions, celery, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, tomatoes, tomato paste and wine in the pot and stir to combine; season with salt and pepper. Place brisket on top, fat side up. Cover the pot and braise in the oven, spooning the braising liquid over the brisket every 30 minutes, until meat is fork-tender, 3–3 1/2 hours.
Uncover the pot and place the carrots around the brisket Return the pot to the oven uncovered and cook until the carrots are tender, the top of the brisket is browned and crisp, and the sauce has thickened, about 30 minutes. Skim fat from the surface of the sauce; discard. Remove brisket from the pot and slice against the grain, Serve with the braising sauce and carrots.
Chicken Thighs Cooked in White Wine
4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 shallots, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled, crushed
- 4 sprigs thyme
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Directions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy-lidded pot over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side; transfer to a plate.
Add shallots and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring often, until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add thyme and white wine; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until reduced, about 4 minutes.
Return chicken, skin side up, to the pot; add broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and transfer to the oven. Braise until the chicken is cooked through and tender, 20–25 minutes. Uncover; continue to cook in the oven until the skin begins to crisp, 8–10 minutes longer.
Braised Lamb Shanks
8 servings
Ingredients
Lamb Shanks
- 6 lbs. lamb shanks (6–8 shanks, depending on size), trimmed
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt plus more for seasoning
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon coarsely ground fennel seeds
- 7 garlic cloves, 1 clove grated, 6 cloves minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large onions, minced
- 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups drained canned diced tomatoes
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus extra if needed
Directions
Place lamb on a large rimmed baking sheet; season all over with 2 tablespoons salt and generously with pepper. Mix rosemary, fennel seeds and grated garlic in a small bowl; massage into the lamb. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour or, preferably, chill overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Heat oil in a large wide heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 8–10 minutes.
Add minced garlic, flour, paprika and red pepper flakes. Stir vigorously to distribute flour. Cook, stirring often, until mixture becomes dry, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and wine. Simmer briskly, stirring often, until the juices thicken and the tomatoes begin to break down, about 10 minutes.
Gradually stir in the broth. Simmer until the flavors meld, 3–4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add lamb shanks to the pot in a single layer, pushing them down into sauce (add additional broth if needed so that shanks are about ¾ submerged).
Roast, uncovered, until the tops of the shanks have browned, about 30 minutes. Using tongs, turn shanks over and roast for 30 minutes longer.
Cover and cook, turning shanks occasionally, until meat is fork-tender and almost falling off the bone, 45 minutes to 1½ hours (time will depend on size of shanks). Remove the pot from the oven and let the shanks rest in the liquid for 30 minutes.
Discard any fat from the surface of the lamb shank mixture and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently, occasionally turning shanks and stirring sauce, until heated through, about 20 minutes. Serve the shanks and sauce with polenta or couscous.
Pear Pie
8 servings
Ingredients
- Pie crust for a 9 inch double crust
- ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 1¾ cups dry red wine, divided
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 5 teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 5 teaspoons all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 pounds firm but ripe pears (such as Comice, Anjou, or Bartlett), peeled, cored, thinly sliced
- 1 large egg, beaten to blend
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Directions
Bring the ¾ cups granulated sugar, rosemary and 1½ cups of the wine to a boil; cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 2/3 cup, 5–8 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl. Whisking constantly, gradually add butter and whisk until smooth. Set syrup aside.
Whisk cornstarch, cinnamon, the 5 teaspoons of flour and the remaining 1/4 cup wine in a small saucepan set over medium heat; cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 1 minute. Slowly add reserved syrup, whisking until smooth, then stir in vanilla and salt. Chill until cool, about 30 minutes.
Place a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 375°F.
Mix pears and red wine syrup together in a large bowl.
Roll out 1 disk of dough on a lightly floured surface and fit into a 9 inch pie dish. Pour filling into the crust and chill while the second crust is rolled.
Roll out the remaining disk of dough to about 10 inches and cut into twelve strips. Arrange 6 strips crosswise across the top of the pie. Arrange the remaining 6 strips lengthwise across the top of the pie, lifting crosswise strips and weaving lengthwise strips over and under to form a lattice.
Brush the edge of the dough with the beaten egg and press ends of the strips and bottom crust together to seal. Trim strips to the same length as the bottom crust, then fold bottom crust over lattice strips; crimp edge. Brush crust with beaten egg and sprinkle with the granulated sugar.
Place pie on a rimmed baking sheet and bake 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F, rotate pie, and continue baking (tent with foil if the crust is browning too quickly) until juices are bubbling and the crust is golden brown, 60 minutes longer. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool at least 4 hours before slicing.
Just because summer is over and the season for berries, peaches and melons has passed, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fruit desserts. Fall brings us apples, plums, pears, figs, grapes and pumpkins. No matter which fruit you pick up at the market, there are so many delicious desserts that you can make. A warm apple pie, a sweet plum tart or a delicious pear crisp are all terrific to enjoy on a cool fall night.
Apple Bars
Makes 20 bars
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 ¼ cups vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped (3 cups)
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted or cinnamon chips
- Whipped cream or frozen yogurt (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan; set aside.
In a very large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Make a well in center of flour mixture; set aside.
In a medium bowl combine eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir in apples and nuts. Add egg mixture in the well in flour mixture, stirring just until moistened (batter will be thick). Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour to serve slightly warm, or cool completely. If desired, top each serving with whipped cream or frozen yogurt
Plum Galettes
8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 ounces light cream cheese
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons low-sugar orange marmalade
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 recipe Galette Pastry, recipe below
- 4 medium plums, pitted and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
- 2 tablespoons almonds or walnuts, chopped
- Milk, for brushing the pastry
- 4 teaspoons honey
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
In a medium bowl beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium to high-speed. Beat in egg yolk, orange marmalade and ginger.
Prepare pastry:
Divide the pastry dough into four portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough portion into a 7-inch circle. Spread each portion with one-fourth of the cream cheese mixture, leaving a 1-inch border. Top with plum slices and almonds. Fold border up over the filling, pleating pastry as necessary to fit.
Place galettes on prepared baking sheet. Brush tops and sides of the crust with milk.
Bake about 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Serve warm. Cut each in half and drizzle with honey.
Galette Pastry
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Directions
In a small saucepan heat and stir 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat until light brown; set aside to cool slightly.
In a medium bowl stir together all-purpose flour, sugar and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in the 2 remaining tablespoons of butter and the browned butter until the mixture resembles crumbs.
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cold water over part of the mixture; toss gently with a fork. Push moistened dough to the side of bowl. Repeat moistening flour mixture, using 1 tablespoon cold water at a time, until all of the flour mixture is moistened (2 to 3 tablespoons total). Form dough into a ball.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cupcakes
24 cupcakes
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 4 large eggs
- 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree, not pie mix
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1 package (8 oz.) light cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F. Place paper liners in 24 muffin cups.
For the filling:
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Add the egg and beat on low just until combined.
For the cupcakes:
In a large bowl, beat the pumpkin, sugar, oil and the 4 eggs until well blended.
In small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Gradually beat into the pumpkin mixture until blended.
Fill the muffin cups one-third full with batter.
Drop a tablespoonful of filling into the center of each cupcake and then cover with the remaining batter.
Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the pumpkin portion comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Store cupcakes in the refrigerator.
Pear Crisp
6 servings
Ingredients
- 5 cups thinly sliced pears
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Topping
- 1/2 cup regular rolled oats
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 2-quart square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Mix the sliced fruit with the granulated sugar and place in the prepared baking dish.
For the topping:
In a medium bowl stir together the oats, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the nuts.
Sprinkle topping evenly over the fruit.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the fruit is tender and the topping is golden. If desired, serve warm with frozen yogurt.
Grape Cake with Wine Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup fine grind, yellow cornmeal, plus extra for dusting the pan
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 cups red and green seedless grapes
Wine Sauce
- 4 cups fruity white wine, such as Riesling
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray a 9-inch round baking pan with cooking spray and dust with the extra cornmeal. Shake the pan to evenly coat all sides and the bottom and tap out the excess.
Stir together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
Place eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Turn mixer to low-speed and slowly add in the olive oil.
Beat in the milk, vanilla extract and orange zest until well incorporated, about 1 minute.
Slowly incorporate the flour mixture into the wet mixture, a half cup at a time, while mixing on low-speed until all the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Using a spatula, transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan. Disperse the grapes evenly over the top of the batter.
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean and the cake is golden brown.
Remove the pan from oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 5–10 minutes. Turn pan over and remove the cake. Let the cake cool completely, grape side up, on the wire rack.
Place the wine in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and allow the wine to simmer until it has reduced by half, about 15-20 minutes.
Remove from the heat and keep warm until ready to serve.
To serve, slice the cake and drizzle the wine reduction over the cake.
Fall is the time when we feel we can get back to spending some time cooking. Luckily, the cooler weather also brings a whole new group of seasonal produce to cook with, from apples and pears to hearty greens, root vegetables and squash. Make the most of what you find at the markets this autumn and try some new recipes to get you excited again about cooking.
Apples
Nothing says autumn more than a sweet tart apple. Apples can be used in dishes that are both sweet and savory. From stuffed turkey and pork to salads to applesauce and apple pie.
Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples
Serve with a spinach salad.
4 servings
Ingredients
Spice Mix
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pork
- 1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups thinly sliced, peeled or unpeeled apples
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup apple cider or white wine
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Directions
Cut pork tenderloin into 8 slices and flatten slightly with the palm of your hand.
Combine the spice ingredients and sprinkle the mixture evenly over all sides of the pork slices. Let rest for about 10 minutes.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter. Add the pork slices to the pan; cook 4 minutes on each side. Remove pork from the pan to a platter and keep warm. If all the pork does not fit in the pan at one time, you will need to brown the pork in two batches.
Melt the remaining butter in the pan; swirl to coat. Add the apple slices, shallots, brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt; sauté 4 minutes or until the apples start to brown. Add apple cider or wine to the pan and cook for 2 minutes or until the apples are crisp-tender. Stir in thyme leaves. Serve.
Pears
Pears are great for adding a touch of sweetness to savory dishes. Try serving a roasted pork roast or leg of lamb with caramelized pears. Not only does it add flavor, but the enzymes in the pears actually tenderize the meat.
Roasted Pears and Red Onions
Excellent as a side dish for roasted pork or turkey.
6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 semi-ripe medium pears, quartered and cored
- 1 large red onion, cut into 8 wedges
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
- 2 sprigs rosemary, plus extra leaves for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, toss pears and onion with butter and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange pears and onion in a single layer (they should fit snugly in the dish) and top with rosemary.
Cover dish tightly with foil and bake until the pears begin to soften, about 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the pears are golden brown on the bottom and tender when pierced with a knife, 15 to 20 minutes more. Sprinkle with fresh rosemary leaves before serving.
Squash
Hard-skinned squash varieties are usually yellow to deep-orange, with a flesh that turns creamy and sweet when cooked. Out of the hundreds of varieties, each has its own unique flavor and ideal uses. Dark green and orange-skinned acorn squash has a tender golden interior that makes a sweet, creamy purée; butternut squash makes a great filling for pasta; delicata, with its thin, edible skin, is delicious sliced and sautéed in a little butter and roasted spaghetti squash has a light flavor and texture that’s perfect topped with pesto.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 medium acorn squashes (about 2 pounds), halved and seeded
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3/4 pound lean ground beef or turkey
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup bulgur wheat
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place squash halves, cut sides down, in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake until tender, 35 to 40 minutes.
Heat oil in a 4-quart pot with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, a pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until browned and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer beef to a bowl using a slotted spoon, keeping as much cooking liquid in the pot as possible.
Add onion and cook until slightly translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add remaining salt and the bulgur and stir to combine. Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and stir in the reserved beef, the raisins, parsley and pine nuts.
Scrape out the baked squashes, forming 1/4-inch-thick bowls and fold flesh into the bulgur mixture. Divide mixture among squash halves and return to the oven. Bake until warmed through and tops are browned, 12 to 14 minutes.
Parsnips and Carrots
Carrots and parsnips are earthy root vegetables. They’re especially good for roasting, but they also have a place in salads and soups. While similar in taste parsnips are sweeter than carrots, especially when roasted. Heirloom carrots come in a rainbow of colors, from white to yellow to purple. They are delicious grated raw with a honey dressing, roasted with orange zest and maple syrup or shredded and baked into cakes and breads.
Root Vegetable Gratin
6-8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Italian Fontina cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed and sliced into 1/8-inch-thick half moons
- 1/2 pound parsnips, peeled and sliced into 1/8-inch-thick half moons
- 1/2 pound carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 pound red potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/8-inch-thick half moons
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with olive oil cooking spray.
In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, thyme, nutmeg and cayenne.
In another bowl, combine cheese and garlic.
Layer half the butternut squash in the baking dish; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon seasoning mix and 1/2 cup cheese mixture. Layer parsnips and carrots over the squash and season with 1/2 teaspoon seasoning mix and 1/2 cup cheese, followed by the onion and 1/2 teaspoon seasoning mix and 1/2 cup cheese. Top with potatoes, remaining butternut squash and seasoning mix.
Pour chicken broth over top. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees F for 60 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
Combine panko and olive oil. Sprinkle evenly over vegetables. Broil 45 seconds or until lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Fennel
Fennel seed is perhaps best known for its licorice-scented seeds, used to flavor Italian sausage. But the crunchy vegetable bulb itself has a delicious, delicate anise flavor and the feathery fronds add flavor to salads and soups. It is delicious roasted and blends well with root vegetables and potatoes.
Italian Crab and Fennel Stew
6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 3 ribs celery, thinly sliced
- 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
- 1 large bulb fennel, trimmed and thinly sliced
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoons finely chopped thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups fish or chicken stock
- 1 (28-oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes in juice, crushed by hand
- 2 lbs. pre-cooked king or snow crab legs, defrosted if frozen and cut into 3″ pieces
- 2 tablespoons roughly chopped basil
- 2 bunches roughly chopped flat leaf parsley
- Italian Country bread, for serving
Directions
Heat oil in an 8 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, celery, shallots, fennel, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 10 minutes.
Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, 1–2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, thyme, paprika and bay leaves; cook, stirring, until slightly caramelized, about 3 minutes.
Add stock and tomatoes; boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, 15–20 minutes.
Stir in crab; cook until shells are bright red and the crab meat is tender, 2–3 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Stir in basil and parsley and serve with the bread.
FALL BRIDGE—By Leonid Afremov (http://afremov.com/cats.php)
There is plenty of cool weather produce available in the fall that you can make into delicious, seasonal salads.
Apples
Apples are plentiful during the autumn months. For salads, choose varieties that are sweet and crisp. Popular salad apples include Red Delicious, Fuji and Winesap. Buy firm apples that smell fresh and have smooth skins.
Pears
It’s also the time of year to sample all types of pears. Select those with even color and a slight blush. Be careful when handling pears because they are delicate and bruise easily. Although there are thousands of known pear varieties in the world, there are a handful recognized especially for their superb flavor and fresh eating qualities, such as Bartlett, Anjou, Bosc and Comice.
Tip: To keep pear slices from browning, sprinkle them with lemon juice or serve them immediately after slicing.
Cranberries
Fresh cranberries are very tart and are usually sweetened before they go into a salad. Dried cranberries add beautiful color and sweet chewiness to salads.
Grapes
Grapes are harvested when sweet and ripe, so look for plump clusters that are firmly attached to green stems. Once at home, refrigerate grapes until ready to use and then rinse with cold water, halve them and mix them into your favorite salad.
Beets
Fall beets come in red, pink, orange, yellow and white varieties, as well as a range of sizes. Both the bulbous root and the leafy stalk are edible. For salads, select small to medium beets with firm, smooth skin and no soft spots or punctures. Those with stems and leaves still attached are best. The foliage should be green and fresh-looking. Store beets, greens and all, in a produce bag in the coldest part of your refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Tip: Use disposable latex gloves from the drugstore when peeling beets. They’re thin enough to allow dexterity while protecting your hands from stains.
Fennel
Fennel is available in the fall and adds a hint of fresh sweet licorice flavor to any salad. This aromatic plant is pale green with a celery-like stem and feathery foliage. Its root base and stems can be treated like a vegetable and baked, braised or sliced and eaten raw in salads. The greenery can be used as a garnish or snipped like dill to enhance many recipes. Fennel’s licorice-like flavor is sweeter and more delicate than anise and, when cooked, becomes even milder and softer than in its raw state.
Cabbage
The cabbage family is wide and varied: broccoli and cauliflower are members. Some of the best heads of cabbage for salads are the crinkled-leaf “Savoy” types, also sold as Napa, January King or Wivoy cabbage. These are thin-leafed, tender and mild. When choosing a head of cabbage, look for fresh, crisp leaves that are firmly packed; the head should feel heavy for its size.
Cauliflower and Broccoli
These vegetables are available year-round, but they are especially plentiful in the spring and fall. When buying cauliflower, select one that is white or creamy white in color, firm and heavy. Cauliflower may be stored for up to one week in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Keep it dry and any brownish colored portions may be trimmed away before cooking.
When shopping for broccoli, look for leaves and stems with dark green heads. Look for tender, young stalks that are firm with compact buds in the head. Yellow flowers in the buds or very rough bumpy heads may indicate the broccoli is past its prime.
Fall Spinach Salad
Serves 1
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Salad
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- 1 tablespoon dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon chopped pecans
- 1/2 of an apple, cored and diced
- 1 tablespoon diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons grated carrot
- 1/4 of an avocado, peeled and diced
- 1-2 tablespoons balsamic salad dressing, or to taste
Directions
Stir the balsamic vinegar and honey together in a bowl; slowly stream the olive oil into the mixture while whisking continuously. Season with salt and pepper.
Place spinach, cranberries, pecans, apple, onion, carrot and avocado into a salad bowl. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Wild Rice, Kiwi and Grape Salad
4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup wild rice
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 kiwis, peeled and diced
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 1/4 cup toasted pecans
Directions
Place broth in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes, or until tender. Drain excess liquid, cover and let cool.
Whisk together lemon juice, oil and honey in a small bowl until the honey is dissolved. Season with salt and pepper.
Place cooled rice in a salad bowl, along with kiwi, grapes and pecans. Add dressing, gently toss and serve.
Cabbage Salad – Waldorf Style
4 servings
Ingredients
- 1/4 head savoy cabbage
- 4 unpeeled apples, cored and diced
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 6 stalks celery, diced
- 1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Slice cabbage into thin pieces 1 to 2 inches long. Do not use the large ribs of the cabbage, as they are too strongly flavored for this salad.
In a large serving bowl, toss together the cabbage, apples, walnuts and celery.
In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, honey and salt. Mix with the cabbage salad until evenly coated. Serve immediately.
Beet, Fennel and Apple Salad
4 servings
Ingredients
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 medium cooked red beet, peeled and cut into matchsticks
- 1/2 fennel bulb, trimmed, halved lengthwise, cored, and cut into matchsticks
- 1/2 medium crisp tart apple such as Granny Smith, cored and cut into matchsticks
- 1/2 cup firmly packed chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Directions
For the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, salt and pepper.
In a medium bowl, toss together the beets, fennel, apple and parsley. Add the dressing and mix gently to coat all of the ingredients evenly. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours. (If refrigerating, remove from the refrigerator and let stand 30 minutes before serving.
Fall Fruit & Nut Salad
6 servings
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cashew halves
- 4 slices bacon, coarsely chopped
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Salad:
- 1 (10 ounce) package mixed salad greens
- 1 medium Bosc pear, thinly sliced
- 1 cup halved seedless red grapes
Directions
In a large, dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast cashews until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove cashews to a dish to cool slightly.
Return skillet to medium-high heat, cook bacon strips until crisp on both sides, about 7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel. Coarsely chop bacon.
In a mixing bowl, stir together the bacon, rosemary, brown sugar, salt, cayenne pepper and toasted cashews.
In a small bowl, stir together white wine vinegar, mustard and honey. Slowly whisk in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a large salad bowl, toss half the dressing with the greens, pear slices, grapes and sprinkle with nut/bacon mixture.
Serve with the remaining dressing in case anyone wants additional dressing on their salad.
