Leftover Thanksgiving Enchiladas
Every year I yearn for Thanksgiving turkey just so I can have these Leftover Thanksgiving Enchiladas. I’ve been making these for years, but I never get sick of them. This year, I started making a vegetarian version with mushrooms instead of turkey so I don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving. I bet you’ll follow in... Read More→
Cranberry Caramel Tarts
I absolutely adore these Cranberry Caramel Tarts. This was one of those desserts that I knew would be a favorite of mine, even before I tried it. And I was oh, so right, even with my ridiculously high expectations. The thing is, I REALLY love caramel. And cranberries. And almonds. These Cranberry Caramel Tarts may... Read More→
Apple Cider Cream Pie
I think this Apple Cider Cream Pie one of the recipes I’ve made in the past few years with a name that doesn’t do it justice. Cream pies in general don’t look very dramatic in photos (though I’m pleased with this one) and they sound a little old-fashioned and dare I say boring. So, I’ll take... Read More→
Dave and Elena’s Wedding Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake
Dave and Elena’s Wedding Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake is special to me because our dear friends Dave and Elena were married the weekend before my Thanksgiving party in 2012. They had a beautiful fall wedding that was decorated with pumpkins. Golds, whites, greens and turquoise pumpkins were piled high on tables, in windowsills, and around... Read More→
Cornbread Stuffing with Cotija, Figs and Sage
When I set myself upon a Mexican menu, I knew that all of those cornbread stuffing recipes I’d seen over the years would finally have their day in my Cornbread Stuffing with Cotija, Figs and Sage. I started with a favorite cornbread recipe and subbed sage for rosemary to make it a little more Thanksgiving... Read More→
Tequila Cranberry Relish
This Tequila Cranberry Relish is a variation on the cranberry relish my mom always makes. People often ask about her secret recipe, but it’s really just the recipe on the back of the ocean spray cranberry bags. 1 bag of cranberries, 1 orange, 1 cup sugar. I use less sugar, and mix a tequila sauce... Read More→
Brussels Sprouts and Apple Slaw
This Brussels Sprouts and Apple Slaw is a great example of traditional Thanksgiving ingredients and flavors used to update the wonderful cabbage salads that are often served with tacos. Since Brussels are in the cabbage family, they substitute in for cabbage easily, but because of their size, shape and color they create a more dramatic... Read More→
Poblano Potato Gratin
This Poblano Potato Gratin has become a holiday favorite. I made it originally for Mexican Thanksgiving 2012 and it was so good (and popular) that it resurfaced this year for Easter Brunch 2014. I did tone down the fat quite a bit from the original, because hey, every little bit helps, right? I also tweaked... Read More→
Drumstick Mole
We’re finally onto the main course: Drumstick Mole. For Mexican Thanksgiving 2012, I served this drumstick mole from Fine Cooking. Drumstick Mole is admittedly an ambitious project. But it’s an amazing mole sauce. Trust me, I tested a lot of recipes and this was a favorite. The upside of all the hard work is that you... Read More→
Sweet Potato Chipotle Soup
This creamy, sweet and spicy Sweet Potato Chipotle Soup was a perfect fit with my Mexican theme. The crunch of the apple corn salad gave it both textural and visual intrigue. Mike and Rebekah served an amazing applejack ginger beer cocktail with it and all in all, this course was an easy success. The Sweet Potato Chipotle... Read More→
Roast Pumpkin with Cheese “Fondue”
This Roast Pumpkin with Cheese “Fondue” is an old Gourmet magazine recipe that I’d wanted to try for years. Last year, I finally did it. I used a giant squash called a Cheese Pumpkin at the suggestion of a local farmstand. It was huge! Somewhere between 15 and 21 pounds. Last year I was serving 19,... Read More→
Susan’s Mexican Pickled Vegetables
Sadly, Susan’s Mexican Pickled Vegetables is one of the Thanksgiving 2012 menu items that just didn’t get photographed, so bear with the shoddy picture and the lack of step by steps. Next time I make it, I’ll add them. Like most of my Thanksgiving Menu, the recipe is closely based on another recipe: Elvia’s Mexican Pickled... Read More→
Cocktail Cookies Four Ways
apricot tarragon chocolate cayenne with smoked maldon rosemary parmesan salty black and white sesame This Cocktail Cookies Four Ways post is a little bit of a teaser. See, I make these for private events, so I’m not posting the recipe here. I make lots of other flavors too. Salt-cured olives, orange rosemary, goat gouda and... Read More→
Clementine Rosemary Margaritas
Clementine Rosemary Margaritas started off Thanksgiving 2012. Good parties do have a tendency to start with cocktails. And like good cocktails often do, Clementine Rosemary Margaritas started with fresh citrus and herbs and good tequila and mezcal. Clementine Rosemary Margaritas are amazing on a cold fall night and perfect with a Mexican themed Thanksgiving. Cheers.... Read More→
Pumpkin Crème Brûlée
Something truly terrible happened this week. I had leftover cream and pumpkin purée at the same time. I know. Tragic. What’s a girl to do? I decided to face the tragedy head on and make Pumpkin Crème Brûlée. Okay, you got me. Crème brûlée also happens to be one of my very favorite desserts. The... Read More→
Fall in Wisconsin
This year, I had the good fortune of heading to Wisconsin for Fall Festival weekend. It was amazing to be back; I ran into old friends, visited my family, and enjoyed the glorious fall colors. We drove around the county enjoying our favorite fall roads. Fall in Wisconsin might be my very favorite Fall of... Read More→
Assemblage Cooking: Leftover Cornbread and Poached Eggs
Assemblage Cooking: Leftover Cornbread and Poached Eggs is definitely about happy leftovers. Last weekend we had some white bean, jerk turkey, leftover butternut squash chili. Which also meant we had leftover cornbread muffins. Then later this week I threw several dinner parties and just wasn’t up for cooking. It was time for some assemblage cooking.... Read More→
Halloween Sugar Cookies
My mother made sugar cookies three times a year: on Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and at Christmas. My favorites were always the pumpkin shaped Halloween Sugar Cookies. We would spend hours decorating each pumpkin to look like an elaborately carved jack-o-lantern. This year, I didn’t have a crew to decorate with, so I embellished them simply,... Read More→
Mushroom and Dill Wheatberry Soup
Soup season is fully upon us, at least here in Philly and I’m celebrating with this Mushroom and Dill Wheatberry Soup. I like Mushroom and Dill Wheatberry Soup because it’s hearty and filling, but still a little elegant in its own rustic way. I use big chunks of mushrooms and a hearty grain that won’t break... Read More→
Fieldtrip! Uplands Cheeses in Wisconsin
Today, you get a little insight into some of my many foraging expeditions: Fieldtrip! Uplands Cheeses in Wisconsin. This August, I got to go to Uplands Cheese while I was visiting the Madison area. This was a really special trip for me, because they make one of my favorite American cheeses, Pleasant Ridge Reserve. Uplands... Read More→