THE VILLAGE VOICE

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion." ~ Henry David Thoreau PUMPKIN HARVEST PUMPKIN CHILI ~ A delightful autumn twist on traditional chili, rich in flavor and ... the simmering smell ... simply d ivine ! (a repost seasonal favorite in case you missed it) _______________ 2-3 lbs. lean ground beef 2 large chopped onions 1 chopped red pepper 1 chopped green, yellow, or orange pepper 2 (28 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with juice 2 cans rinsed black beans 1 large can pumpkin puree 1 can sliced black olives 1 bottle (12 oz.) Pumpkin Ale (e.g. America's Original Pumpkin Ale - Buffalo Bill's Brewery or Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale) 2 heaping Tbsp. chili powder (or more to taste) 2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 2 pinches of brown sugar coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste sour cream chopped green onions Cook beef in large stockpot until well browned. Drain excess fat. Add onions and peppers and co...

"Every leaf speak bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." ~ Emily Bronte AUTUMN TEXTURE ABSTRACT "But I remember more dearly autumn afternoons in bottoms that lay intensely silent under old great trees." ~ C.S. Lewis SIMPLE TUSCAN LEMON CHICKEN ~ easy autumn fare 6 boneless chicken breast (or thighs) 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil juice and zest from 1 lemon 1 Tbsp. minced garlic 1 Tbsp. minced fresh rosemary 1 tsp. minced fresh thyme freshly ground black pepper and coarse salt to taste Combine olive oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, rosemary, thyme, pepper and salt. Pour over chicken and marinate several hours or overnight. Remove chicken from marinade and grill on med-high for 20-30 minuted, depending on size of breast. Turn every 10 minutes and baste with remaining marinade. Cover and let rest before serving. GRILLED EGGPLANT and GOAT CHEESE SALAD ~ From Giada De Laurentiis 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 7 Japanese eggplant, ends trimmed, cut into ...

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn." ~ Elizabeth Lawrence 'AUTUMN QUILT' ‎"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." - Stanley Horowitz

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” ~ Emily Bronte MEDITERRANEAN TOSTADA with HUMMUS, FETA, & OLIVES ~ easy carb friendly appetizer from KalynsKitchen.com Ingredients: ( for 2 but make as many as desired) 2 low-carb or whole wheat flour tortillas (cut in half) 2 tsp. + 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup very finely chopped Romaine lettuce 1/4 cup finely crumbled Feta 10 finely chipped Kalamata olives 1/2 cup hummus Preheat oven to 400º, placing cookie sheet inside to heat as the oven does. While oven heats, wash and dry lettuce and finely chiop to make 1/2 cup. Crumble feta cheese and chop the olives. When oven is hot, lightly spray or bursh cookie sheet with olive oil and place flour tortillas on it. Toast until lightly browned and firm, turning over about every minute or so. (Depending on tortillas, takes about 5 minutes or so but watch closely at the end.) Remove tortillas from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Top each crisp tortilla ...

"I trust in Nature for the stable laws of beauty and utility. Spring shall plant and Autumn garner to the ends of time." ~ Robert Browning Annabelle Abstract 'Fading Memories' "We do not remember days; we remember moments." ~ Cesare Pavese , The Burning Brand Remember September ROASTED TOMATO GARLIC SOUP ~ awesome Autumn fare, perfect while tomatoes are still in abundance (slightly adapted from Smitten Kitchen ) Soup 3 lbs. plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2-4 ' upeeled ' large cloves garlic 1 tsp. finely choppped fresh thyme leaves or 1/4 tsp dried 1/4 tsp. (or more to taste) dried crushed red pepper 4 cups organic chicken or vegetable stock Topping 4 slices rye bread (toasted until hard and lightly buttered on one side) 1 Tbsp. grated raw red onion 1 cup (or more) coarsely grated white cheddar Soup : Preheat oven to 400º. Wrap garlic cloves in tight foil packet. Place tomatoes, cut side up, on large bakin...

"Softly the evening came. The sun from the western horizon Like a magician extended his golden want o'er the landscape; Trinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow AUTUMN HARVEST SOUP ~ adapted from Fine Cooking 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 large diced yellow or red onion 3 diced carrots 2 minced cloves garlic 2 chopped yellow/orange peppers 2 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash pinch cayenne pepper or more to taste coarse salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste 1 quart organic chicken broth 1 lb. chopped fresh tomatoes (or 14.5 oz. can diced) 1 Tbsp. fresh chopped thyme 2 cups chopped kale 1 cup well-rinsed chickpeas Heat oil in large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add squash, cayenne, salt & pepper. Ad...

“If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God.” ~ G. K. Chesterton WINE SUNSET (Hubbard Lake, MI ) HARVEST GAZPACHO (with or without crab) ~ Serve chilled for lunch or supper on the remains of a warm summer day 6 plump peeled and seeded ripe tomatoes minced clove of garlic 2 peeled and seeded cucumbers 1 chopped red onion 1 chopped sweet onion 1 coarsely chopped red pepper 1 coarsely chopped yellow or orange pepper 2 cups tomato juice 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil juice of 1 fresh lemon coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste dashes of Tabasco to taste 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill sliced black olives to taste 1/2 lb. good lump crab chopped fresh parsley for garnish Into a large glass bowl rubbed with cut garlic, place chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers. Combine tomato juice, olive oil, lemon juice and Tabasco. Pour over chopped garden vegetables. Add dill, olives, and crab...