Smashed Sweet Potatoes
Ina Garten's Smashed Sweet Potatoes is my new favorite sweet potato recipe. I grew up having canned yams with a pound of brown sugar and butter... Yes, there were a tad sweet! The potatoes are roasted and then smashed with orange juice and a little cream. My daughter wanted to top it with bacon, pecans, and some fresh sage, but this is optional.
By - Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 30 mins
- Yields: 8 Servings
Eggs in Purgatory
My daughter Grace made Eggs in Purgatory. It's a quick and spicy way to enjoy your eggs in the morning or any time of day! Shakshouka is a dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers and garlic, and spices. In Naples Italy, a variation of this dish is known as Uova in Purgatorio or "Eggs in Purgatory". "Taking its inspiration from Il culto delle anime del Purgatorio, the cult of the Souls of Purgatory...the eggs play the role of souls seeking purification, the sauce, that of the flames of purgatory."
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Miso-Crusted Pork Roast with Apples
This Miso-Crusted Pork Roast with Apples makes an impressive meal for very little effort. If your shoulder comes pre-tied, untie before rubbing with miso, then re-tie. Miso is made from fermented soybeans that adds a salty umami flavor to many Japanese dishes.
By - Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 3 hrs 15 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Pecan-Rye Pumpkin Pie
My daughter Zoe made this very complicated Pecan-Rye Pumpkin Pie. Here is her take on it -
I'll be the first to admit that I am not great at handling crust, especially one that requires you to take it out of the oven three times just for the blind bake...but something came over me around 8 am and I dove right in, only to look up at the clock about 4 hours later. Mixing pumpkin and pecan together intrigued me enough to dedicate my morning to this task and I happen to be a sucker for heavily spiced pumpkin (not in my coffee, please). I certainly owe my mother's arsenal of little jars nestled on shelves built by my father a major shoutout here. All in all, this pie's wow factor really is in the time (and love!) you put into it. And don't even think about making this day-of.
Cornbread Stuffing With Sausage and Corn Nuts
My daughter Zoe made this Cornbread Stuffing With Sausage and Corn Nuts. I have to say, I have never heard of using corn nuts as an ingredient. The corn nuts get crushed into a dust, which adds an extra corniness to this stuffing.
- Prep: 45 mins
- Cook: 2 hrs
- Yields: 8 - 10 Servings
Brussels Sprouts Tarte Tatin
My daughters and their roommates had a "Friendsgiving" brunch on Sunday and Zoe made this Brussels Sprouts Tarte Tatin. Unfortunately, yet again, I did not have any since I am apparently not their friend! It looks good to me, though Zoe said it could probably benefit from pancetta or some bacon. It is best served right away (they’re not a great make-ahead option), so plan accordingly.
- Prep: 40 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Yields: 10 Servings
Clearman’s Cheese Spread
Whenever my late mother-in-law made spaghetti, she always made Clearman's cheese bread. My family can't have spaghetti without it. They sell it locally only or online. Many of our family members have moved away, so I decided to search for a recipe. My friend Pat made the first batch and they gave it their seal of approval. It's basically a whipped cheese butter made with Cheddar, Romano, dry mustard, celery salt, garlic salt, lemon juice, Tabasco sauce, paprika, butter that you put on sourdough bread and broil. Oh, and by the way, it costs about a third less to make of what they sell it for.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Yields: Makes 1 pound of cheese spread
Maple Pear Upside Down Cake
I have no idea why I decided to make this Maple Pear Upside Down Cake. For me, this is ADVANCED baking! It's a bit complicated and includes making granulated maple sugar out of maple syrup, which are is an exact science of bringing it to 265° F. I was in shock when it worked. Anyway, this cake is exquisite, with a subtle hint of cardamom.
- Prep: 45 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Yields: 8 - 10 Servings
Maple Sugar
Making Maple Sugar is not as hard as you might think. It is just maple syrup that's boiled to 265° F, and then cooled and ground into granulated sugar.
- Cook: 15 mins
- Yields: Makes 2 cups of sugar
Chicken and Butternut Squash Stew
This Chicken and Butternut Squash Stew is a taste of Autumn in a bowl! I have included to ways to make it, one in a slow cooker and the other faster way in an Instant Pot.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
