• Maple roasted brussels sprouts
    Food

    Maple Sesame Brussels Sprouts and Apples

    When roasted in the oven with maple syrup and sesame oil in addition to traditional olive oil, brussels sprouts become caramelized and develop a rich toasty flavor.  Add wedges of caramelized apples in the mix for bits of added sweetness, and you have a side dish that makes a festive gathering or plant-based dinner all the tastier.  Best of all, the entire dish comes together on a sheet pan, with the brussels sprouts and apples roasting together. Ingredients 1 pound Brussels sprouts1 baking apple such as Honeycrisp or Pink Lady2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1 tablespoon sesame oil2 tablespoons pure maple syrupSalt and freshly cracked black pepperOptional: Sesame seeds for topping…

  • Balsamic onion jam tart on white plate with red background
    Baking

    Onion Jam Tart with Cheddar Crust

    Jammy onions require a crust that can stand up to their bold flavor, which is how this recipe came to be. Packed with sharp cheese, the cheddar pastry may remind you of a cheese straw. In fact, the whole tart may remind you of your favorite parts of a cheese board, where you often find balsamic onion jam, sliced fruit, and, of course, a perfectly sharp cheddar. Thinly sliced apples and pears top off the sweet and savory goodness before it heads to the oven. As an appetizer, this tart can certainly take the place of a cheese board or accompany charcuterie. For lunch, it pairs well with a simple…

  • Vanilla Cider Punch
    Drinks

    Vanilla Cider Punch

    The first crush of grapes is the sign that wine making is about to begin. Whether done by modern techniques or the ancient method of grape stomping, which a few wineries still use, the skin of the grape often is broken in the midst of rituals and blessings. Cider may have humbler beginnings, but I look forward to the first crush of apples with the same excitement. Since the cider has been flowing for a while, enjoy this punch as an alternative to the hot, cinnamon-infused variety you may have been enjoying since the season began. Serve it chilled and enjoy the warmth that comes from aromatic vanilla, molasses, and…

  • honey rum apple crumble
    Baking,  Food

    Honey Rum Apple Crumble

    Sticky honey, a touch of warm butter, and dark rum are the key to the delicious filling in this crumble that lets the natural flavor of Honeycrisp apples shine. When things start cooking, promise yourself to only take a taste. While crumbs are usually the best, and most picked off, part of any dessert they top, these apples are so good that you might need to stop yourself from eating them all right out of the pan. Ingredients Apple Filling 2 pounds Honeycrisp apples 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 3 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons dark rum Crumb Topping 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ⅓ cup light brown…

  • caramel apple cookies
    Baking,  Food

    Caramel Apple Cookies

    Bite through a rich caramel coating into a crisp center, and you know the deliciousness of the sweet, buttery, tart caramel apple. I prefer mine dipped in peanuts, which adds a little salt to the mix too. These cookies capture all of the flavors of the quintessential fall treat, with the added bonus of giving you an excuse to whip up some delicious caramel sauce.