Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

I have tried dozens of ways to make roasted pumpkin seeds, some to better effect than others. My favorite method of the moment is detailed below. Spicy and sweet variations follow the basic recipe. Ingredients One medium-sized pumpkin fine sea salt olive or coconut oil Instructions Cut open the pumpkin by carving a circle around theContinue reading “Roasted Pumpkin Seeds”

How to Eat More Local Food

  Last Saturday, I gathered my dishes and marched my way to the teaching kitchen at the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op in my home town. I spread out my Thai Butternut Squash Soup and my Beautiful Beet Salad, my Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins, Blue Cheese Herb Spread and Apple Honey Cake. Plus I brought locally harvested MaitakeContinue reading “How to Eat More Local Food”

Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins

I was looking for something to complement a fall soup when I came across this keeper. It instantly appealed: the pumpkin would add moisture to the cornbread and the corn meal would temper the sometimes-too-sweet of the pumpkin. Which is exactly how they came together. Toss in the honey for a more flavorful, healthful sweetener. Use a gluten-free flourContinue reading “Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins”

Roasted Figs with Honey and Cheese

I have eaten and enjoyed fresh figs but never cooked with them. When I happened upon some local figs, I got busy researching. Here’s my takeaway: You want your figs to be really, really ripe. If you’ve never tried them, think grapes. You eat the skin and all, and they have something of a sweet-but-muskyContinue reading “Roasted Figs with Honey and Cheese”

Not-Too-Sweet Pumpkin Bread

Every fall, I roast, puree and freeze several farmers market pumpkins (we’ve never had much luck growing our own). So pumpkin bread, pumpkin scones, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin soup are all, always, just a trip to the deep freeze away. You can certainly use canned pumpkin in this recipe and save yourself a few steps. Along withContinue reading “Not-Too-Sweet Pumpkin Bread”

Flavors of Fall

          As I’ve been preparing to teach my class on cooking fall fruits and vegetables at the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op this weekend, I can’t help but contemplate: What is it about fall’s flavors that make us swoon so? Is it the brief time they’re in the spotlight? The nostalgia that comes withContinue reading “Flavors of Fall”

Thai Butternut Squash Soup

I’ve tried many butternut soups over the years. There’s a three-sisters version, a Mexican variety, those that pair winter squash and apples. But my favorite, the recipe I’m searching for every fall, is one that heightens the sweetness of the squash and pairs it with the Trinity of Thai cooking — fish sauce (made of anchovies andContinue reading “Thai Butternut Squash Soup”

Honey Oatmeal Ricotta Muffins

So, I’ve been on this honey kick lately, appreciating the myriad varieties of local honey and stirring up recipes using honey in the most interesting of ways. Last week, I posted how-tos for Touch of Honey Granola, Honey-Curry Chicken Breasts and Corn Fritters with Honey Bacon Drizzle. I’ve got one more honey recipe to share with you until IContinue reading “Honey Oatmeal Ricotta Muffins”

Sausage and Apple Stuffing Bites

At some point over the last few years, I saw this recipe in a beautiful Food & Wine magazine edition, ripped it out and tucked it away for later. As we are in juicy-apple-and-freshly-processed-local-pork season, when I came across the page recently, I knew that “later” was now. My family has gobbled this delicious and funContinue reading “Sausage and Apple Stuffing Bites”

Honey-Curry Chicken Breasts

Honey is a wonderful addition to sauces and glazes especially for pork and chicken. This sweet and spicy marinade will light up your taste buds — and make your house smell divine. Serve with a scoop of wild rice. Recipe adapted from Taste of Honey by Marie Simmons. Serves 4 Ingredients  3⁄4 cup honey (tryContinue reading “Honey-Curry Chicken Breasts”