THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter." ~ Carol Bishop Hipps AUTUMN MUM ________________________ DEEP DISH DUTCH 'SPY' APPLE PIE "Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness." ~ Jane Austen ________________ (October is the best month for apples ... do yourself a favor and make a pie. If you choose, omit the crust and make apple crisp .) 1 10-inch unbaked deep dish pie shell Topping: 1 1/2 cups flour 2/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 2/3 cup unsalted butter Filling: 7-9 large baking apples (Northern Spy best) 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 3 Tbsp. flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 heaping tsp. cinnamon dash salt dots of butter Make topping : Combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture is consistency of coarse cornmeal. Set aside. Preheat oven to 400º. Make filling : Core apples and pare, slicing into large bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice. C...

"My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view." ~ H. Fred Ale Boston Fern (chartreuse), Variegated Ivy _________________ CHICKEN & TORTELLINI SOUP ~ Warming winter fare ... add crusty bread and tossed salad for a complete simple supper (adapted from 2006 Quick & Simple Magazine) ____________ 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 diagonally sliced bunch of green onions 1 large minced clove garlic 1 Julienne sliced orange, yellow, or red pepper 6 oz. sliced shitacki or baby bella mushrooms 6-8 cups organic chicken broth 1 1/2 -2 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie is good) 2 cups baby spinach 1 9 oz. package refrigerated cheese tortellini coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Heat olive oil in large stockpot. Add green onions, pepper and garlic. Saute until tender crisp. Add mushrooms and cook until soft. Add chicken broth and brin...

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." ~ Emily Bronte November mum (flower of the month) _____________________ SIMPLE FALL MINESTRONE ~ Fresh autumn veggies and herbs make for a cozy soup _____________ 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 chopped onions (1 red, 1 sweet) 4 minced garlic cloves 1 small chopped head bok choy , napa , or savoy cabbage 3 quarts organic chicken or vegetable broth 1 cup white vermouth (optional) 1 diced red pepper 1 diced yellow pepper 4 cups cubed sweet potato or butternut squash 2 cups diagonally sliced green beans 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (2 tsp. dried) 2 tsp. dried oregano coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste 2 (16 oz.) cans rinsed and drained cannellini beans 4 cups chopped kale or spinach grated fresh Parmesan cheese Heat oil in large stockpot. Add onion and saute until wilted. Add garlic and chopped cabbage and saute until tender. Add broth, wine, peppers, potatoes (squash), and green beans. Bring to a...

"November always seemed to me the Norway of the year." ~ Emily Dickinson CHRYSANTHEMUM (November Flower of the Month) _________ APRICOT MOUSSE ~ Sweet Decadence from an old Southern Living, perfect for the holidays _______________ 20 ladyfingers 3 (16-oz.) cans undrained apricot halves 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin 5 organic egg yolks 1 1/4 cups sugar, divided 1/8 tsp. salt 1 cup milk 2 Tbsp. apricot brandy (or light rum) 1 (2-oz.) package slivered almonds 1 1/2 cup whipping cream 3/4 cup whipping cream 2 Tbsp powdered sugar 1/8 tsp. almond extract Garnishes: apricots sliced toasted almonds fresh mint sprigs Cut a 30 x 3-in. strip of wax paper; line sides of a 9-inch springform pan with strip. Split ladyfingers in half lengthwise; line sides and bottom of pan with ladyfingers. Drain apricots, reserving 1/2 cup juice. Set aside 4 apricots for garnish. Add remaining apricots to food processor and process 1 minutes. Set aside. Sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup juice and set ...

"Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; let fortune's bubbles rise and fall; who sows a field, or trains a flower, or plants a tree, is more than all." ~ John Greenleaf Whittier GIFT OF GOLD ____________________ ROASTED VEGETABLE LASAGNA ~ Rich autumn flavors of roasted peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and caramelized onions blend for this old fall crowd- pleaser __________________ 4 red peppers 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach extra-virgin olive oil as needed 1 eggplant (about 1 lb.) cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices 4 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices coarse salt and fresh ground pepper to taste 1 large chopped onion pinch of sugar 15 -oz. ricotta cheese 4 large organic eggs 3 1/2-4 cups good tomato sauce combined with 1 Tbsp. basil 18 cooked* lasagna noodles (1 lb.) (*boil 5 minutes in salted water, drain, and cool under cold water) 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese chopped fresh parsley Broil peppers directly on ...

"We only part to meet again." ~ John Gay ~ 'But beautiful' ____________ "Yea, I have looked, and seen November there; The changeless seal of change it seemed to be, Fair death of things that, living once, were fair; Bright sign of loneliness too great for me, Strange image of the dread eternity, In whose void patience how can these have part, These outstretched feverish hands, this restless heart?" ~ William Morris (November)

~ November beauty (flower of the month) _________________ THANKSGIVING WEEKEND STRATA ~ Delicious use of several leftovers ... stuffing, turkey, rolls, and cranberry sauce (old Free Press clipping from Whole Foods Market) _________ 4 cups leftover Thanksgiving bread stuffing 4 cups cubed bread (any will do like leftover dinner rolls a great option) 2/3 cup whole milk 2/3 cup half & half 6 organic eggs 1 1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp hot sauce (optional) 1 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 Tbsp. butter 1 1/2 cups white or assorted quartered mushrooms 2 1/2 cup cook leftover diced turkey 1/3 lb. shredded cheddar cheese (or favorite melting c heese like Pepper Jack and Gorgonzola) 2 cored and diced large apples, sprinkled with lemon juice to prevent browning 1-2 cups leftover cranberry sauce Butter 9x12x2-inch baking dish. Combine leftover stuffing and cubed bread in large bowl. Place half of mixture at bottom of baking pan and set aside. Whisk together milk...

"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and and the new." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~ November mums ___________ TURKEY SALAD with CRANBERRIES & TOASTED PECANS ~ Yes ... leftovers are delicious! _____________ 2 cups shredded or diced turkey 1 diced and cored Granny Smith apple 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/4 cup chopped green onion 1/4-1/2 cup dried cranberries 3 Tbsp. coarsely chopped toasted pecans 1 (11oz.) can drained mandarin oranges coarse salt & freshly cracked pepper 1/2 cup light mayonnaise 1 Tbsp. sour cream or plain yogurt 1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley 8 Red leaf lettuce leaves additional toasted pecans Combine turkey, apple, celery, onions, pecans, and oranges. Season with salt & cracked pepper. Whisk mayonnaise , sour cream, mustard, and parsley. Pour over turkey mixture and gently fold in. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Line 4 plates with 2 lettuce leaves each. Mound 1/4 cup of salad on top of leaves. Ga...

"The true essentials of a feast are only fun and feed." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes ~ Muted mum ___________ CARAMEL PECAN TART ~ Sensational easy twist on traditional pecan pie ... shortbread-like crust meets buttery-rich brown sugar-honey topping. A favorite clipped from Southern Living 2007. ________ 3 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans 2 cups flour 2/3 cup powdered sugar 3/4 cups cubed unsalted butter 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup honey 2/3 cup unsalted butter 3 Tbsp. whipping cream Arrange pecans in single layer on baking sheet. Bake at 350- degrees for 5-7 minutes or until lightly toasted. Cool on wire rack 15 minutes or until completely cool. Pulse flour, powdered sugar, and 3/4 cup butter in food processor 5-6 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal. Pat mixture evenly on bottom and up sides of lightly greased 11-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on wire rack 15 minutes or un...

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." - Nathaniel Hawthorn RUSTIC ROASTED VEGETABLE TART ~ Savory autumn appetizer, or paired with a salad, lunch or light supper _________ 1 Japanese or medium eggplant, sliced 1/4 inch thick 1 medium zucchini, sliced 1/4 inch thick 1 medium red pepper, cut in strips 1 medium yellow or orange pepper, cut in strips 2 medium sliced portabella mushrooms 1 red onion, cut in thin wedges 1 clove minced garlic 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (1 tsp. dried) coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 8 oz. well drained and sliced artichoke hearts 8 oz. soft herb goat cheese (or herb boursin cheese) 1 15-oz. package Pillsbury refrigerated unbaked pie crusts (2 crusts) 2 tsp. milk 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese Heat oven to 450-degrees. Toss eggplant, zucchini, peppers, portabella , onion,...

"If you would be happy for a lifetime, grow Chrysanthemums." ~ a Chinese philosopher ~ Chrysanthemum 'The Happiness Flower' The Chrysanthemum, the Flower of Happiness, was so revered that in Japan only the nobles could grow it. It has been grown for over 2,000 years all throughout in the Far East. It has come to mean love and truthfulness. We may see it carved on the throne of the Emperor of Japan and on many Chinese artifacts. - Flowers: Myths, Legends and Traditions ________________ SUKIYAKI ~ Easy version of an old favorite first tasted back in the 60's, prepared and served in an electric frying pan as a thank you gift from our Japanese houseguest . * 1 1/2 lbs. very thinly sliced beef (sirloin) or boneless chicken 4 diagonally sliced stalks celery 2 thinly sliced medium onions or medium leeks 1 fat bunch diagonally sliced green onions 12 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms 1 can drained & sliced bamboo shoots 1 can drained & sliced water chestnuts salad oil 2...

"Be thankful if you have a whole sandwich, you have one-half to share." ~ Anne La Flamme ( mother) ~ Lives intertwined ____________ CLASSIC WALDORF ~ Thanksgiving was never complete without Mom's classic 'luxurious' salad. * 3-4 unpeeled & diced Red Delicious apples 1 tsp. lemon juice 1/2 cup chopped celery 1 cup halved seedless red grapes 1 cup walnuts 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip 1 1/2 tsp. sugar 1/4 cup whipped cream ( only some years) * Sprinkle lemon juice on chopped apples and combine with celery, grapes and walnuts. Combine mayonnaise or Miracle Whip and sugar. (Fold in whipped cream). Pour over fruit mixture and gently fold in. (6 servings) _____________ WALDORF SALAD (Revisited) ~ Tweaked throughout the years from an old Bon Appetit recipe. * 4 unpeeled and diced Red Delicious a pples 2 unpeeled and diced Granny Smith apples juice and zest of 1 lemon 2/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery 1 1/3 cup halved red seedl...

~ FINAL THOUGHT FOR THE FEAST ~ TOASTED PECAN WILD RICE SALAD ~ a compliment for any feast * 6 cups cooked and cooled wild rice (cook 1/2 of liquid in orange juice) 2 heaping cups toasted whole pecans 1 cup dried cranberries 1 bunch chopped green onions 1 cup chopped sweet mini-peppers (red, orange, and yellow) 2 tsp. cracked pepper shakes of course salt DRESSING: 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 4 Tbsp. maple syrup Combine all ingredients (except pecans) in large bowl. Pour dressing over and adjust seasonings. Top with toasted pecans. Chill until ready to use. Bring to room temperature before serving. (8 - 12 servings depending how how much guests enjoy the recipe.) !!!!!! ROASTED GARLIC MASHED POTATOES SMITTEN WITH BROWN BUTTER ~ These are GOOD! "Never eat more than you can lift." ~ Miss Piggy 5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes 5 whole bulbs roasted garlic (rule of thumb ~ 1 bulb garlic/1 lb. potato) 1/4 cup olive oil coarse salt and cracked pepper 12...