As the weather cools and the leaves start to crisp, we begin to crave warm, comfort food…the type that’s perfect for those chilly autumn days when all you want to do is curl up on the couch in a warm sweater and watch Netflix all day.
To help ease the transition from summer to fall, we’re sharing five seasonal favorite recipes that are perfect for this time of year!
GARLIC POTATO FENNEL SOUP
{serves 4}
Ingredients:
¼ cup butter, unsalted, divided
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium yellow onion, peeled & diced
½ bulb fennel, chopped
1 russet potato, peeled & diced
3 cups chicken stock
2 green tart apples, peeled & diced
½ cup heavy cream
to taste kosher salt & black pepper
Preparation:
Sauté garlic, onion & fennel in 2 Tbsp butter for 5 minutes. Add potato & stock. Bring to a boil.
Add apples, boil for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Remove from heat, puree in blender or food processor until smooth.
Return to pot, add cream & heat throughout.
Season to taste with kosher salt & black pepper.
Garnish with fennel fronds & a thin drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
POMEGRANATE MIMOSA
{makes 6 drinks}
Ingredients:
1 pomegranate, seeded {reserve some raw seeds for garnish}
1 cup sugar, granulated
½ cup pomegranate juice
½ cup water
1 {750 ml} bottle prosecco {or any dry bubbles}
Preparation:
Combine pomegranate, sugar & water in a heavy-bottomed sauce pan. Bring to a boil for a couple of minutes. Reduce heat to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is soft & the liquid has thickened slightly, about 15 minutes.
Using a fine-meshed strainer over a large bowl, pour pomegranate syrup through strainer, pressing seeds with the back of a spoon until most of the liquid is in the bowl. Discard seeds, saving a few to be used as garnish.
To Make Cocktail:
Divide pomegranate syrup evenly between 6 champagne glasses. Top each one with bubbles. Stir gently if desired. Garnish with a few pomegranate seeds.
BIG ITALIAN SALAD
{serves 4 as salad course, 2 as a main course}
Salad Ingredients:
1 head romaine heart, washed, dried & cut into ¾” pieces
½ head radicchio, julienned
1 Tbsp fresh italian parsley, chopped
1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped
5 pepperoncini, chopped
1 cup english cucumber, seeded & chopped {peeled if you wish}
1 carrot, julienned
½ red onion, thinly shaved
½ cup grape tomatoes, halved
½ cup olives {green or black}, pitted & chopped
1 cup garbanzo beans, cooked & rinsed
1 Tbsp capers, rinsed & roughly chopped
1 cup fresh mozzarella, diced
½ cup parmesan, shaved
½ cup genoa salami, sliced thinly
Dressing Ingredients:
1 Tbsp italian parsley, chopped ¾ tsp kosher salt
1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped ¼ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp dried oregano, chopped 2 tsp honey or agave nectar
2 garlic cloves, peeled & chopped
¼ cup good quality red wine vinegar
¾ cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
Preparation:
For the dressing, place all ingredients except olive oil in the food processor. Blend well, then slowly drizzle in olive oil with motor running to create an emulsified vinaigrette. Season to taste.
Place all salad ingredients in large bowl. Toss lightly to combine.
Immediately before serving, add half of the dressing & toss well, using your hands. Add small amounts of dressing as necessary; tasting & seasoning with kosher salt & pepper until salad is well dressed & flavorful.
THAI CHICKEN & BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
{serves 4}
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp canola, coconut or extra virgin olive oil
½ lb ground chicken or turkey
2 Tbsp thai red curry paste
4 scallions, sliced on bias white & green parts separated
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated on microplane
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded & cubed
2 cups chicken stock
1 {15 oz} can coconut milk
1 Tbsp fish sauce
1 lime, juiced & zested
2 tsp sambal or sriracha sauce
As desired: fresh basil, bean sprouts, cilantro, sliced jalapeño, lime wedges & sriracha for garnish
Preparation:
Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add curry paste, stirring until the paste darkens, about 1 minute. Add chicken & stir occasionally, until nearly cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic, scallion whites & ginger. Stir until softened, about 3 minutes.
Add squash & chicken stock. Cover & bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmering until squash is tender, about 10-12 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, lime juice & zest, sambal & fish sauce. Taste for seasoning & adjust as needed.
Serve a bountiful plate of garnish in the center of the table so guests can add toppings to the hot soup as desired.
TOFFEE PUMPKIN PIE BARS
{makes 32 bars}
Ingredients:
2 cups crushed gingersnaps
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup all purpose flour
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 {15 oz} can unsweetened pumpkin
¾ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated on microplane
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp ground cloves
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 ½ cups half & half
½ cup crumbled toffee pieces
½ cup pepitas, toasted & chopped
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375° F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper, spray with pan spray.
Combine crushed gingersnaps, sugar & flour. Add melted butter & stir well to combine. Firmly press crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared pan; set aside.
Combine pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, kosher salt & cloves.
One at a time, add eggs & beat lightly until well combined. Gradually add half & half, stirring until just combined. Pour filling into crust lined pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
While warm, sprinkle top with toffee & pepitas, let cool on wire rack. Cut into bars when cool. Cover & store chilled.
Epicurean Group 