Thirsty Thursdays: Caramel Apple Martini

Caramel Apple Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this autumn drink that's sure to wow holiday guests!

The Month in Review - October 2014

It's finally chilly in New York and the leaves are turning fast. Actually the whole month was fast and I'm not sure how it can already be almost November. The food around here has definitely taken a turn toward autumn fruits and warming comfort. It also seems to have been fixated on caramel, not that there's anything wrong with that.

Apple Pie Crumb Bread with Cinnamon Caramel

Have you all noticed how popular coconut oil has become? Everywhere I look I see recipes with it and articles talking about the health benefits. I confess that I'm not the biggest fan of coconut flavor and I mostly just like it in my pina coladas.  Still, this merited some research.

Thirsty Thursdays: Bourbon Pumpkin Smash

Per Serving:
1 1/2 oz. Bourbon
1 oz. Unsweetened pumpkin puree
2 oz. Vanilla ice cream
2 oz. Milk
2 Teaspoons maple syrup
Pinch of cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Add the bourbon, pumpkin puree, ice cream, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt to a cocktail shaker.  Fill with ice, shake well to break up the pumpkin and ice cream and pour into a cocktail glass.

Tender Slow Cooked Roast in Red Wine Reduction

Sundays in the chilly autumn make me want to cook something low and slow. Something mouthwatering that will make my whole house smell delicious and dinner will be an eagerly awaited event. Something like a Sunday roast

Apple and Gorgonzola Biscuit Tarts

My good friend Renee and I are bonded over our mutual love of food, cocktails, photography and doggies. Not necessarily in that order, of course. She's also the creator of the Magnolia Days blog where she shows off her talents. But today she's on vacation, eating and drinking her way through Germany, and she asked me to keep her readers entertained with a good recipe. My pleasure, Renee! And I expect you to bring me back a strudel.

Farmer's Market Deconstructed Apple Pie

I'm a big fan of our city's green markets so it was a huge honor to be invited to do a cooking demo at one of them this past Saturday. I spent the week before going over everything with the market director and wandering around the various stalls, with their dizzying array of options, trying to decide what to make. For all the possibilities, though, my eyes kept coming back to the glorious display of apples.

Thirsty Thursdays: Pear and Bourbon Ginger Snap

Pear and Bourbon Ginger Snap

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this sweet and spicy delight!

Ginger Poached Pears with Gorgonzola and Walnuts

When summer fruit season ends, I usually mourn until I hit the market and discover the autumn bounty of figs, apples and pears.  Especially the pears. For out of hand, sweet juice dripping down your chin, eating, I'm partial to Bartletts.  But for any cooking or baking, I turn to the slightly firmer Boscs. I also happen to think they're the prettiest.  What? You don't think pears are pretty?  Pfft.

Marbled Chocolate Pumpkin Bread with Pumpkin Caramel

I don't understand how it's nearly the middle of October already.  And I certainly don't understand why this is my first pumpkin bread of the season.  I normally like to greet the first nip in the air with the aroma of fresh baked pumpkin bread.  Oh, well, still not to late.

Thirsty Thursdays: Pumpkin Cheesecake Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this boozy dessert treat!

Per Serving:
3 oz. Half & half or milk
2 Tablespoons cream cheese
1 1/2 oz. Vanilla vodka
1 1/2 oz. Unsweetened pumpkin puree
1 oz. Simple syrup
1/2 oz. Buttershots liqueur
Pinch of cinnamon
Tiny pinch of salt
Crushed graham cracker for the rim

Place the crushed graham cracker in a shallow bowl.  Rub a tiny bit of pumpkin puree along the rim of your cocktail glass and dip it into the cracker bowl. Refrigerate for a few minutes to set.

In a blender or small food processor, puree the milk, cream cheese, vodka, pumpkin, simple syrup, buttershots, cinnamon and salt.  Pour into the prepared glass and keep in the refrigerator for approx. 15 minutes to cool and thicken.

Nutty Peanut Buttery Caramel Apples

My fellow holiday food bloggers and I are cooking up Halloween treats today.  Mine aren't spooky but they're totally holiday ready!

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Hey, was that a nip I just felt in the air?  Is that quiet from the fact that the constant hum of the air conditioner has been turned off and the windows opened?  This weekend was the first time this season that I wore a jacket and enjoyed warming up under my down comforter.  I love summer and I tell myself I will hold onto it as long as possible but every year, the first chilly day, a leaf falling at my feet and a display of pumpkins sends me into a daze of autumn happiness.  I love autumn!

Thirsty Thursdays: Sparkling Lemon Pear-tini

Sparkling Lemon Pear-tini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this sweet, tart and bubbly treat!

The Month in Review - September 2014

I was just looking back at last month's review and saw that I promised there wouldn't be an onslaught of pumpkin recipes here until October.  I said I'd stick to apples and pears and figs but, OK, so one slipped in. I just had an overwhelming urge to see if pumpkin and soda bread go well together and do they ever!