I would hazard a guess that the cranberries on the Thanksgiving table are one of the more polarizing dishes. You can’t have Thanksgiving without cranberries, but the divide between sweet and savory, jellied or chunky, canned or homemade is probably the source of mnay under-the-breath comments and drive-to-grandma’s complaints. I have never been a fan of the cranberry sauce … [Read more...] about Cranberry Ginger Compote
Sides
Maple Mustard Chicken Salad
Back in the summer, I boasted to you that I am a chicken salad savant and that I have versions for every imaginable occasion and all seasons. This is my favorite fall chicken salad, full of the crispy, crunchy, bold flavors of the season. And yes, chicken salad is perfect in fall – it’s not just for summer anymore. And if you’ve got visitors in the house for the holidays, … [Read more...] about Maple Mustard Chicken Salad
Cinnamon Apple Salad
Easy and good. Maybe two of the best words ever for busy cooks. This is a great little recipe for a simple, crispy salad that highlights autumn’s goodness. I make this for myself throughout the season. I love it beside a peanut butter sandwich, but I have also put it in a pita with a few spinach leaves. I’ve made this for kids and it’s always a big hit. You can serve it on … [Read more...] about Cinnamon Apple Salad
Pasta Butter Balls
One lazy evening, on a desperate-for-dinner freezer scrounge, I came across a half used log of frozen herbed butter – a beurre composée if you will. I like to make these with the summer glut of herbs and roll them into waxed paper wrapped logs. This butter has myriad uses, but I mostly use it for grilling. When you have a really good piece of meat, simply grilled, it doesn’t … [Read more...] about Pasta Butter Balls
Simple Watermelon Feta Salad
This is hardly a recipe, more like a set of instructions, but I wanted to share it before this long weekend of picnics and cookouts and gatherings, because it is so good and so simple and so perfect for this last official weekend of summer. I first had this in South Africa several years ago, as part of a big beautiful lunch spread at a safari camp. I was impressed by its … [Read more...] about Simple Watermelon Feta Salad
