Happy November!
The leaves have been falling, that's for sure, and there have been some frosty mornings here in Chicago; all sure signs that summer has exited (including Indian summer!) and we are into full-blown autumn. There has been not a flake of snow, which I am grateful for, as I can remember some snowy Halloweens here! The snow will come, but hopefully not until Christmas Eve. Ha!
My kind of holiday is just around the corner; Thanksgiving! It is just the best time of year, with the focus on gratitude and food. I have been pondering potential menu items for this feast, sharing many of them in the special Holiday Edition of the magazine. There are also some great dishes for every day of the month in this month's edition. I want to give you a little preview!
A question from a member prompted me to investigate grits, a humble ingredient that is used all over the world under various names. Cheesy Baked Grits are simply delicious, and I am so grateful that Donna challenged me to pursue this tasty recipe! That dish led me to create Slow-Cooker Beef Ragout with Onions, a heavenly, tender beef dish with caramelized onions that is the perfect partner for the grits. Serve some Sauteed Swiss Chard with Lemon and Garlic alongside; the lemon really cuts the richness of the beef and grits, plus it's delicious!
My new favorite November bread is Pumpkin Yeast Bread (or Rolls)! It has beautiful color, and the flavor is mild and not too sweet. It's great toasted with some nut butter for breakfast, and is a key ingredient in my Turkey & Cranberry Panini, which also features Cranberry-Apricot Sauce with Sherry from the Holiday Edition. Roasted Butternut Squash, Pear, Blue Cheese & Walnut Salad with Roasted Shallot Pear Vinaigrette fills the bill as a lunch entree or dinner side (especially with a Pumpkin Dinner Roll!). So flavorful, and truly a beautiful salad. And no autumn lunch is complete without a cup of soup; Farmers Root Vegetable is offered this month by request, as well as one of my personal favorites, Pumpkin Cranberry Soup in the Holiday Edition, too. And of course of cookie for dessert! My Toffee, Pecan & Chocolate Chip version hits all the right notes, conquering your candy cravings, as well.
Try a Easy Breakfast Pizza on a lazy weekend morning; a great way to get the day started. And check out the Holiday Edition for more great dishes for this season!
The election is next week, remember to vote!
Praying you'll enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy many of the recipes this month at your own feast! (And don't forget to tell them where you found all those tasty recipes.)
Blessings,
