FALL in LOVE with FALL salad

Posted on by

0

ppWith our gardens filled with persimmons and pomegranates and Thanksgiving around the corner I was inspired to throw a few of my favorite fruits together and make a festive salad. Simple and delicious with colors that scream Fall, this salad will be a great addition to your Thanksgiving feast or a new just because treat. And don’t worry if you don’t think persimmons are your thing, give this combination a chance and you just might become a fan .

pp

FALL in LOVE with FALL salad (for 4)

  • 1 bag of Arugula (5 oz)
  • 3 Persimmons
  • 1 Pomegranate
  • 1 Red onion
  • Chia Seeds
  • Olive oil, one lemon, salt and pepper for dressing

I started off by slivering off round thin pieces of persimmon ( I used a mandoline) which can get tricky since some might not come out perfect, but its for taste so don’t worry. Place each sliver one by one covering each individual plate as I did or on your dish of choice if you are making a bigger salad. Take the arugula and toss with olive oil, fresh lemon juice and season to taste with salt pepper and when its ready place the greens in the middle of your dish so the persimmons are still visible. Add your red onions slices and I actually added slices of fennel as an afterthought which was great, and then top it off with sprinkles of chia and pomegranate seeds.  The salad is not only visually appetizing but taste amazing and fresh. Hope you enjoy!

Pumpkin Curry Soup With Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Posted on by

3

Pumpkin Curry Soup 2

In honor of the fall season (and my LOVE for coconut milk) I decided to make and share with you this simple Pumpkin Curry soup recipe. My favorite part about cooking with pumpkins are roasting the seeds afterwards. They’re so easy to make and there are SO many different options for dressing them up: roasted with sea salt, cajun, cocoa…for a sweet treat, curry power, lemon pepper, pumpkin pie spices…oh and the list goes on.

Pumpkin Seeds

The longest part to the below recipe is roasting and peeling the pumpkin so plan on roasting it for at least 30-40 minutes (this can also be done ahead of time). After the roasting the rest is as easy as pumpkin pie. 

Pumpkin Curry Soup with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

  • 1 medium Sugar Pumpkin – seeded, roasted and peeled
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
  • 1/4 cup carrots, diced
  • 1/4 cup celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • Sea salt for pumpkin seeds

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the sugar pumpkin in half, remove the seeds and place them in a bowl to the side. Discard the steam. Rub both sides of the fresh pumpkin with a 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Place the pumpkin, flesh down, on a baking sheet rimmed with foil. Roast for 30 – 40 minutes.

Roasting Pumpkins

While the pumpkin is roasting, clean the discarded pumpkin seeds throughly by removing any left over pumpkin pulp and rinsing them in water with a  colander. Inspired by Elise’s recipe for the perfect roasted pumpkin seeds, I boiled the seeds for 5-10 minutes in salted water. Drain the seeds, lightly pat them dry and then toss them lightly in olive oil. Arrange the seeds on a baking dish, coat lightly with sea salt and roast in the oven at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them so that they do not burn! Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

After the pumpkin has slightly cooled, peel and dice it. Melt the butter in a soup pot and then add the pumpkin, onions, carrots, celery and garlic.

Diced Veggies

Cook on medium heat until soft. Add the curry, ginger, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of the chicken stock and let simmer for 15 minutes. Add the coconut milk (reserving a little bit for garnish) and the rest of the chicken stock and cook for another 20 minutes. Remove from heat and puree in a blender until smooth. Garnish with warmed coconut milk drizzle and roasted pumpkin seeds. 

Serves 4 – 6

Pumpkin Curry Soup

Wild Mushroom & Sausage Pappardelle

Posted on by

2

Wild Mushroom Pappardelle

In lieu of “National Pasta Day” we decided to share one of our favorite recipes from Kenwood Vineyards “Perfect Pairings” recipe book. Created by their team of Executive Chefs, this dish is perfect for the cooler weather ahead and pairs exceptionally well with Pinot Noir.

  • 8 ounces Pappardelle pasta
  • 2 tablespoons thyme, fresh leaves
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1-2 small dried red chilies, crumbled
  • 9 ounces good spicy sausage
  • 3-4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 pound mixed wild mushrooms*

* Shitakes, oysters, or hen of the woods, trimmed and torn or cut up.

Mushroom Pappardelle

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat; add sausage, onion and garlic, breaking sausage up with spoon while cooking until onions are golden, about 7 minutes. If sausage is fatty, drain excess drippings from pan. Add mushrooms, thyme, and chilies; cook, stirring frequently until mushrooms release their liquid and it evaporates, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, cook pasta to al dente in a large pot. Drain, saving ½ cup of cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot.

Add butter to mushroom mixture, along with a little of the cooking liquid from the pasta to loosen and deglaze. Pour mushroom mixture, parsley and parmesan cheese into pot with pasta and toss to combine. Turn out onto large platter to serve. May be garnished with more parsley and cheese.

Serves: 4-6

Love pasta? Love wine? Don’t forget to enter the “Perfect Pasta Pairing” contest for a chance to win a trip for two to beautiful Sonoma County valued at $5,000.

Tweet us at @ApronsStilettos and share with us your favorite pasta recipe for #NationalPastaDay!

Source: Kenwood Vineyards