Pumpkin Cheesecake

If you were assigned dessert duty for Thanksgiving, or are just looking for a dessert that will amaze and seduce your friends/enemies, try out this recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake (find it here).

The final product is perfectly pumpkiny, spicy, and not too sweet.  Perfect with a big dollop of whipped cream (I added more after I took the pic above).

A couple of hints: let your ingredients come up to room temperature, which will prevent cracking, and put a pan of water on the rack below your cheesecake as it bakes.

Stir-Fried Noodles with Chanterelles

(photo by Imelda Villa)

 

The first time I had this utterly delicious dish, my husband (then my boyfriend) and I were having dinner at Monsoon up in Capitol Hill.

About a month or so later, F&W did an article on the restaurant and featured the recipe.  We, of course, had to try it out right away.

Now, this recipe for Stir-Fried Noodles with Chanterelles is one of the most requested in my household.  

 

I LOVE it when chanterelle season rolls around.

Chicken Scarpariello

My bff, Lis, introduced me to the deliciously sweet/spicy peppadew, and I've been obsessed with the pickled peppers ever since.

Therefore, when my hubby saw peppadews featured in a Food & Wine recipe for Chicken Scarpariello, we knew we had to try it asap!

The verdict: even cooked, peppadews don't lose their wonderful spicy/sweet qualities.  Also - I had some of the chicken for dinner the next night, and I swear it tasted even better!

Perfection!

No soup for you! (Mulligatawny)

On the surface, Mulligatawny soup (the recipe we made was in a cookbook, but a similar one can be found here) appears to be a little odd and unappetizing.

Apples (a ton) + curry + chicken, in a soup?  Interesting.

It wasn't my first choice for dinner on Sunday night, but it's link to the "soup nazi" inspired Ed to give it a try.

I'm glad he did.

The soup was creamy, flavorful, and delicious.  The sweetness of the apples cooks out, leaving it with a turnip like sweetness, and the curry adds just enough spice to make the soup shine.

Give the recipe a try on a cool night.  You won't be sorry.

check out a clip of the "soup nazi" at:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2lfZg-apSA

The Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale (for Women and Kids)

If you're an obsessive early Christmas shopper like myself or hate buying designer purses and shoes at full-price - head on over to your favorite Nordstrom or www.nordstrom.com for the half-yearly sale.

See below for a few of my picks from the sale.

Tarnish Bias Stripe Scarf in Green

 

 

Halogen Leather Satchel in Mulberry

 

 

 (I love a purse you can wear cross-body)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnlock Wallet in Peacock

(for the luxe lover on your shopping list, 50% off)

Cole Haan Courtney Air Tall Boots

(40% off, I purchased in black)

It's all about the frosting

I personally think frosting is the most important part of a cupcake.  If the frosting is too grainy, sweet, or stale tasting...forget it!

I used a box cake mix for the Halloween cupcakes I made (pictured above), but I, of course, made the frosting from scratch.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/4 c butter, softened

1 package cream cheese, softened

1bx (1lb) powdered sugar

Instructions: with a mixer on medium to medium/high, cream the butter and cream cheese and then slowly add the powdered sugar.  I added a couple drops of food coloring to make the frosting orange.



Lettuce, Pear, and Goat Cheese Salad with Citrus Dressing

Crisp Bosc pears, creamy goat cheese, and a bright citrus dressing - it's hard to find a better fall salad (recipe here).

The recipe serves 8, but if you're making dinner for two - like me - cut the recipe in half and indulge in 2 servings each.  At 200 calories and 7g of protein (total), you won't feel too guilty eating a double serving.