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Apple Loaf Cake
Each slice of this loaf cake has an irresistible quality that comes from a combination of baked apples and cider. Studded throughout the batter, the chopped pieces add fresh-from-the-orchard flavor while the reduced cider and warm spices give it depth. Buttermilk makes it tender and far from dry. Bake this at night then enjoy it for breakfast – or bake it when the sun comes up and enjoy it throughout the day. As morning fare, a snack, or dessert, it’s the ideal way to celebrate apple season If you’ve enjoyed my apple cider vinaigrette recipe, you already are familiar with the process of making a cider reduction. Concentrated apple flavor…
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Roasted Carrot Soup
When carrots are roasted, their natural flavor intensifies and carries a savory soup in a way I love even more than butternut squash. Try this recipe if you enjoy roasted vegetables, hearty soups, or are looking for a plant-based dish for lunch or dinner. Traditional or vegan grilled cheese croutons or sandwiches served on the side make this the coziest meal. Even though the heat stayed with us well into September, there were breaks when cool days called me to make a pot of soup, dream of crispness in the air, and even think a bit ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday. Fortunately carrots develop more sweetness as we head toward…
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Autumn Harvest Salad with Cheddar, Grapes, Pear, and Maple Crunch Topping
Autumn arrives with an abundance of cool-weather greens and a new crop of fruit, both of which are made better with the toasty edge this maple crunch topping lends to a seasonal salad. The ingredients in this fall salad recipe are fit for a cheese plate, so opt for the best aged cheddar you can find. Bosc pears add their bronze color and characteristic juiciness to the mix, and a dressing with reduced apple cider contributes more classic fall fruit goodness. When making the maple crunch topping, feel free to use your preferred nuts and/or seeds or make use of what you already have on hand in the pantry. A combination…
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Skillet Cornbread Topped with Tomatoes and Rosemary
Skillet cornbread may be the best kind to serve, as it cooks up with a toasty bottom and tender middle. I love to top mine with garden tomatoes and chopped rosemary to hold onto every last bit of summer. Since corn is available through September, fold some into the batter for added texture and flavor using the recipe below. Recently I recommended this as the ultimate side to my summer Cobb salad, and with Labor Day weekend here, this is a crowd-pleasing addition to the menu. By the start of September, our vegetable gardens have become looser, more natural and sprawling, and our dishes follow suit. The actual amounts of…
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Tomato Season: Gardening Tips and Summer Farro Salad Recipe
Lately the salad that keeps making its way to my table has a base of toasty farro topped with ripe heirloom tomatoes, juicy plums, and grilled corn plus handfuls of fresh herbs. The dish encapsulates everything I love about summer – sweetness, char, and that unmistakable flavor of the season’s tomatoes. Of the vegetables I grow, tomatoes are the ones I cherish most and check on throughout the day. Whether you enjoy the ritual of growing and tending to tomatoes or love picking them from the market, this advice will help you make the most of tomato season in full swing. The tips are designed for cooks and gardeners alike, intermingled in…
