• Pumpkin Seed Brittle
    Food

    Pumpkin Seed Brittle

    Homemade candy is more satisfying than store-bought confections with a long list of additives. Crafted in my kitchen, this brittle recipe is loaded with pumpkin seeds and has a depth of flavor that takes it beyond a traditional sugar and nut mixture. Maybe best of all, it is aerated so that it is easy to chew. If you are intimidated by candy recipes, rest assured that I once was too. For many years, my only experience was an adventure in taffy making with my father that ended with small bits of toffee colored sugar stuck to our ceiling. I can safely say that preparation is key to avoiding such a…

  • Roasted Pumpkin Soup
    Food

    Roasted Pumpkin Soup

    Pumpkins collapse into roasted sweetness after spending some time in the oven. I created this soup to celebrate the moment when their edges caramelize, and their skin is so tender that the weight of a knife is enough pressure for piercing. Certainly use this roasted pumpkin soup as an appetizer, but consider making it a meal with my recommendations at the end. Unlike similar soups which are spiced with cinnamon or made sweet with apples, pumpkin carries this savory dish. At the end of the cooking process, a generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper adds a pleasing spiciness that doesn’t overpower the base flavor. We often think of black…

  • Pumpkin varieties
    Living

    Pumpkin Season

    October has been heavy with heat and rain. I have wondered if it will ever burst forth more goldenrod and cinnamon than gray. Sometimes it seems too weak to break away from summer’s tight grip, at other times too sluggish to progress toward winter. So many of us crave sun-ripened berries. Saltwater is enough to justify a getaway. It’s so easy that there isn’t even a dance. Summer months show up, and we find ourselves dizzied by its offerings. As for October, he has a bit of a challenge. You can’t sink your teeth into acorn squash like you do with a ripe tomato. Sure, we can still find ripe…

  • Candied Orange Cheesecake
    Baking

    Chocolate Orange Mini Cheesecakes

    With the holidays approaching, I start craving a touch of decadence with dessert. Candied citrus is where I turn for that luxe, almost stained glass finish on these mini cheesecakes. In a mixture of sugar and water, whole citrus slices become juicy, chewy candy that intensifies the flavor in each creamy, chocolate and orange bite. Ingredients Candied Orange Slices 1 unwaxed orange2 cups water1 cup sugar Mini Cheesecakes ⅔ cup fresh orange juice30 chocolate wafer cookies4 tablespoons unsalted butter8 oz. cream cheese (1 standard package)½ cup sour cream⅓ cup sugar2 eggs, slightly beaten½ teaspoon vanilla extractPinch salt12 cupcake liners Watching the orange slices transform is the most satisfying part of…

  • Mexican Chorizo
    Food

    Mexican Chorizo

    “Your glance scattered seeds. It planted a tree. I talk because you shake its leaves.” Excerpt from “Letter of Testimony” by Octavio Paz Mexican food and culture are irresistible to me – the warmth, the spices, the influence of the ancient. You may have even read some of my recipes for dishes such as mole roasted sweet potatoes and street corn with chile butter. With Día de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday, coming up just after Halloween, here is a main dish to add to your celebration. Unlike its Spanish counterpart, Mexican chorizo is made from fresh pork. Where you may have noticed the hard, dried…