Food
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Cozy Winter
Whether winter brings to mind the peace of a snowy woodland or pine branches brought inside as festive decoration, this is the season of coziness. A walk through the woods is an opportunity to bundle up with chunky mittens and knits. There may be no better time to wear a fluffy pom-pom. Inside there is coziness to be found in a cup of rich hot chocolate and, for a while, the garlands and ornaments that surround us. I’ve always loved winter for the way it calls us to be a little more still, more warm, perhaps even more thoughtful about things we might take for granted in other seasons. Heading…
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Savory Wild Rice and Cornbread Stuffing
A savory accompaniment to roasted chicken or Thanksgiving turkey, this stuffing combines nutty-flavored wild rice with crumbled skillet cornbread, sausage, and plenty of fresh herbs. Baking the cornbread in a skillet ensures a buttery, toasted bottom crust. Rather than cube the bread, I crumble it before mixing with the rest of the ingredients. Wild rice adds even more texture. Since I will make this recipe many times during the holiday season, I keep fresh herbs on the windowsill for easy clipping. Whether you serve it for a holiday or cozy weeknight dinner, classic Thanksgiving sides like cranberry sauce and roasted vegetables round out the plate. The scent of fresh sage,…
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Roasted Honeynut Squash with Sage and Pepitas
Sweeter and tinier than the butternut variety, honeynut squash begins appearing at the market around late September. A petite winter squash with concentrated flavor, its natural sweetness turns more caramel and malt-like with the heat of the oven. For that reason, I roast it simply with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Additional flavor comes from crisp sage leaves, lightly toasted pepitas, and just a touch of maple added after the slices leave the oven. Where some squash benefits from roasting in a maple glaze, honeynut squash develops a rich flavor on its own. In this recipe, maple dressing is lightly brushed on to lend a different note of sweetness rather…
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Overnight Quick Pickles with Ginger
A homemade touch makes a simple picnic or impromptu feast all the more tasty. Rather than reaching for a jar of pickles at the market, pick up some mini cucumbers and fresh ginger, then make your own quick pickles overnight in the refrigerator with the help of some pantry staples. The resultant flavor is fresh and vibrant, plus it doesn’t require any special canning equipment. Certainly you can allow these pickles to sit in the brine longer than overnight, but I love being able to make them one day and enjoy them the next. While I enjoy pickled vegetables, I have never had an interest in the canning process, and…
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Gold Summer Salad with Grilled Squash, Corn, Roasted Peppers, and Tomatoes
This may be the most cheerful salad my table has seen all summer. With golden shades of the season’s vegetables, it features roasted peppers, tiny sweet tomatoes, and grilled squash and corn. Dressed with vinaigrette and served with herbed ricotta, it’s bright in flavor and beautiful to serve. While the vegetables are monochromatic, their textures and flavors are anything but similar. Even the squash and corn, both cooked on a grill or in a grill pan, respond differently to the same application of heat. Where the squash softens, the corn becomes crisp-tender. The yellow peppers are roasted until their skins char and are removed before being sliced into ribbony pieces.…
