THE VILLAGE VOICE

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion." ~ Henry David Thoreau PUMPKIN HARVEST PUMPKIN CHILI ~ A delightful autumn twist on traditional chili, rich in flavor and ... the simmering smell ... simply d ivine ! (a repost seasonal favorite in case you missed it) _______________ 2-3 lbs. lean ground beef 2 large chopped onions 1 chopped red pepper 1 chopped green, yellow, or orange pepper 2 (28 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with juice 2 cans rinsed black beans 1 large can pumpkin puree 1 can sliced black olives 1 bottle (12 oz.) Pumpkin Ale (e.g. America's Original Pumpkin Ale - Buffalo Bill's Brewery or Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale) 2 heaping Tbsp. chili powder (or more to taste) 2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 2 pinches of brown sugar coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste sour cream chopped green onions Cook beef in large stockpot until well browned. Drain excess fat. Add onions and peppers and co...

"For ....we can make liquor to sweeten our lips Of pumpkins and parsnips and walnut-tree chips." ~ Henry David Thoreau, 'Walden' (1854) Autumn Texture Overlay (original photo at Franklin Cider Mill, Franklin MI) PUMPKIN CHILI ~ A delightful autumn twist on traditional chili, rich in flavor and ... the simmering smell ... simply d ivine! (a repost seasonal favorite in case you missed it) _______________ 2-3 lbs. lean ground beef 2 large chopped onions 1 chopped red pepper 1 chopped green, yellow, or orange pepper 2 (28 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with juice 2 cans rinsed black beans 1 large can pumpkin puree 1 can sliced black olives 1 bottle (12 oz.) Pumpkin Ale (e.g. America's Original Pumpkin Ale - Buffalo Bill's Brewery or Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale) 2 heaping Tbsp. chili powder (or more to taste) 2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 2 pinches of brown sugar coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste sour cream chopped green...

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving." ~ H.U. Westermayer THAI PUMPKIN SOUP (unusual spicy twist from traditional) 2 32-oz. boxes of organic chicken broth 1 28-ounce can pumpkin 1 quart mango nectar 1/2 heaping cup chunky peanut butter 4 Tbsp. seasoned rice vinegar 6 Tbsp. minced green onion 2 minced cloves garlic 1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger 1 heaping tsp. crushed red pepper flakes juice of 1 lemon plus zest chopped fresh cilantro Combine chicken broth, pumpkin and nectar in large saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Process 2 cups pumpkin mixture, peanut butter, green onion, garlic, pepper flakes and ginger in blender until smooth. Return to remaining pumpkin mixture in pan. Whisk in vinegar, lemon juice and zest. Correct seasonings. Thoroughly heat and ladle into soup bowls. Sprinkle with cilantro. (10 - 12 servings) _______________ ...

"The spirits of the air live on the smells Of fruit; and joy, with pinions light, roves round The gardens, or sits singing in the trees. Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat; Then rose, girded himself, and o'er the bleak Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load." - William Blake ( To Autumn) PUMPKIN CHILI ~ An adventuresome autumn twist on traditional chili, rich in flavor and ... the simmering smell ... simply d ivine! _______________ 2 lbs. lean ground beef 2 large chopped onions 1 chopped red pepper 1 chopped green pepper 4 cans (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes with juice 2 cans rinsed black beans 1 large can pumpkin puree 1 can sliced black olives (optional) 1 bottle (12 oz.) Pumpkin Ale (e.g. America's Original Pumpkin Ale - Buffalo Bill's Brewery or Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale) 2 heaping Tbsp. chili powder (or more) 2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 2 pinches of brown sugar coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste sour cream chopped gre...

"The thinnest yellow light of November is more warming and exhilarating than any wine they tell of. The mite which November contributes becomes equal in value to the bounty of July." ~ Henry David Thoreau ~ Golden days ______________ PRALINE PUMPKIN TORTE ... A perfect ending for a festive dinner (from Sunset clipping ~ Nov 2005) _______________ 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/3 cup unsalted butter 3 Tsp. plus 1 3/4 cup whipping cream 1 cup chopped pecans 4 large eggs 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 2 cups cooked pumpkin (canned fine) 1 tsp. vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 3/4 tsp. ground ginger 3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1/4 cup powdered sugar Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Butter 2 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms of pans with parchment. PRALINE: In heavy 1-2 quart pan over low heat, stir brown sugar, butter, and 3 Tbsp. whipping cream until melted and blended, about 5 minute...

"There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been! ~ Percy Bysshe Shelley ~ Glowing gift of light before sunset (Michigan roadside) ______________ SPICED PUMPKIN MUFFINS ~ The addition of whole wheat flour gives these golden muffins a high f iber content and full, earthy harmonious flavor. Autumn favorite from Bon Appetit (Nov 2002) ____________ 1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 13 cup sugar 1/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 tsp. salt 1/3 cup shelled lightly toasted pumpkin seeds ( pepitas ) 1/3 cup lightly toasted, coarsely chopped walnuts 1 1/4 cups canned pure pumpkin 1 cup whole milk 2 large organic eggs 6 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter 2 tsp. grated peeled fresh ginger Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Spray 15 standard muffin cups (2/3-cup capacity) with nonstick spray. Whisk both flou...

~ The great pumpkin ____________ PUMPKIN TIRAMISU ~ A break from traditional , loosly adapted from GOURMET (Nov 2006) * 1 1/2 cup chilled whipping cream 3/4 cup sugar 1 (8-oz) container mascarpone cheese (Italian cream cheese) 1 (15-oz) can pure pumpkin 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ginger 1/4 tsp. cloves 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1/4 tsp. cardamom 2 packages good quality ladyfingers 1/4 cup finely ground espresso, divided 1/3-1/2 cup Amaretto or Frangelico liqueur 2-3 oz. crushed gingersnaps or amaretti cookies Beat chilled whipping cream and sugar until peaks form. Set aside. Whip mascarpone cheese. A dd pumpkin and spices and combine with whipped cream until smooth. Dip 1/2 of ladyfingers into liqueur and line bottom of 9-inch springform pan with ladyfingers, overlapping and crowding to fit. Sprinkle with 1/3 ground espresso. Spread 1/2 of filling over ladyfingers. Repeat with remaining ladyfingers, dipped in liqueur . Sprinkle with 1/3 espresso. Top with remaining fill...

BREAKING TRADITION ~ time for simplicity PUMPKIN SOUP with CHILI CRAN -APPLE RELISH ~ delicious recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. butter 1 fresh bay leaf 2 ribs finely chopped celery with greens 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion salt and pepper 3 Tbsp. flour 2 tsp. thyme 2 tsp. hot sauce taste 6 cups chicken stock 1 (28-ounce) can cooked pumpkin puree 2 cups heavy cream 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg Relish: 1 crisp apple 1/4 finely chopped red onion 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1/2 cup dried chopped cranberries 1 tsp. chili powder 2 tsp. honey 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon In medium soup pot heat oil and butter over medium heat. Add bay leaf, celery and onion. Season veggies with salt and pepper. Cook 6-7 minutes until tender. Add flour, thyme and hot sauce. Cook for a minute. Whisk in chicken stock and bring to bubble. Whisk in pumpkin. Simmer soup 10 minutes to thicken then add cream and nutmeg. Reduce heat to low and keep warm until ready to serv...

~THANKSGIVING TREAT ~ - save room for this! ___________ ( Quoted by Kay Thompson in A COOK'S ALPHABET of QUOTATIONS ~ " You have to eat oatmeal* or you'll dry up. Anybody knows that.) ______________ WONDERFUL PUMPKIN PIE Crunchy crust: 1 cup flour 1/2 cup quick oats* 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup sweet (unsalted) butter Combine all ingredients and cut with pastry cutter until crumbly. Press into pie shell. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Filling: 2 cups pumpkin puree 3 eggs 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup heavy cream 3/4 cup half and half 1 tsp. ground ginger 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 tsp. ground allspice 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom Beat eggs and both sugars until fluffy. Add pumpkin and spices. Whisk in cream and half and half. Pour into above pre -baked pie shell. Bake 25 minutes and add topping. Topping: 3/4 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 Tbsp. sweet (unsalted) butter Combine ingredients and...

THAI PUMPKIN SOUP ~ (unusual spicy twist from traditional) gggggggggggggggggggg 2 32 - ounce boxes of organic chicken broth 1 28 -ounce can pumpkin 1 quart mango nectar 1/2 heaping cup chunky peanut butter 4 Tbsp. seasoned rice vinegar 6 Tbsp. minced green onion 2 minced cloves garlic 1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger 1 heaping tsp. crushed red pepper flakes juice of 1 lemon plus zest chopped fresh cilantro Combine chicken broth, pumpkin and nectar in large saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Process 2 cups pumpkin mixture, peanut butter, green onion, garlic, pepper flakes and ginger in blender until smooth. Return to remaining pumpkin mixture in pan. Whisk in vinegar, lemon juice and zest. Correct seasonings. Thoroughly heat and ladle into soup bowls. Sprinkle with cilantro. (10 - 12 servings)

~ WARM UP AFTER A BRISK MORNING WALK ~ MULLED POMEGRANATE CIDER (naturally antioxidant rich) * 6 halved cinnamon sticks 1 Tbsp. whole cloves 1 tbsp. allspice 2 16- ounce bottles pomegranate juice 2 quarts apple cider 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice Combine all ingredients in large saucepan and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Pour through a tea strainer into mugs. ___________________ PUMPKIN SCONES ~ delicious recipe found on coffeeworks.blogs.com * 2 cups flour 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 1/4 tsp. allspice 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter 1/3 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup pumpkin 1 tsp. vanilla extract Mix together flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Cut butter into small pieces and cut into flour. Mixture should look like coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl mix together pumpkin, buttermilk and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and mix until dough c...