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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 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 of pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds,…
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Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin bread made with sweetness, spice, and olive oil satisfies the need for simple and delicious baked goods that can be enjoyed throughout the day. A thick slice is perfect with morning tea or coffee and even with a seasonal lunchtime salad, which is how I have been eating it lately. While I won’t be ready for pumpkin pie (or rather my strawberry pumpkin tart) until Thanksgiving, this pumpkin loaf recipe keeps me inspired with cinnamon, nutmeg, and all the cozy spices. Olive oil lends both moisture and a lovely, nuanced flavor to the bread, but feel free to spread some butter on top for extra deliciousness. When selecting an…
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Pumpkin Tomato Soup in a Whole Pumpkin
A roasted pumpkin serves as the bowl and a key ingredient for this creamy soup. Instead of carving a jack-o’-lantern, try carving a soup bowl this autumn for a dinner that makes an irresistibly seasonal presentation. Fire-roasted tomatoes keep the soup bright, and while I add cream, it can be omitted or substituted with a non-dairy alternative toward the end of cooking. Everything is cooking directly in the whole pumpkin before being blended smooth, and Gruyère-topped croutons take it over the top. Recently my mother gifted me a beautiful plate with wintry oranges reminiscent of the clove-studded ones she would make each holiday season. She continually has gifted me a…
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Fall Table Decor with Dried Flowers
As we head deeper into autumn, now is the perfect time to preserve the beauty of your garden through a dried flower arrangement. While tending to the garden recently, I decided to snip some blooms to create a table centerpiece that would last through many dinners and remind me of the variety of flowers thriving outside. If you start now, in about two to three weeks, you will have preserved the most gorgeous flowers you have been growing (or ones picked from the market), and be able to turn them into a centerpiece for the dining room table, kitchen island, or any part of your home ready for a touch of…
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Cranberry Curd Tarts
A vibrant filling surrounded by a festive wreath of pastry crust make these individual cranberry curd tarts destined for the holiday table. Since the braided edges and hand-cut leaves are unique to each tart, they make a beautiful presentation with details we celebrate even more this time of year. Sprinkle on some raw sugar for a bit of holiday sparkle. Certainly these tarts can be made without a decorative crust, and they will be just as delicious. If you would like to make ones similar to those pictured, I have included tips below. As with the crust details, the size of the individual desserts can be adjusted based on the…
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