AUTUMN DINNER ~ ROASTED SAGE SPAGHETTI SQUASH With GUYERE, SAUTÉED FRESH GARLIC, PARSLEY and TOASTED PINE NUTS

“Welcome sweet November, the season of senses and my favorite month of all.” 

― Gregory F. Lenz

November  Sunset (Hubbard Lake, MI)


ROASTED SAGE SPAGHETTI SQUASH With GUYERE, SAUTÉED FRESH GARLIC, PARSLEY and TOASTED PINE NUTS

~  Delightful autumn dinner slightly adapted from pinch of yum. 


1 halved and seeded spaghetti squash
Extra-virgin olive oil
coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
2-3  minced cloves garlic
2  tsp. white balsamic vinegar
1  cup minced fresh parsley
2  Tbsp. chopped fresh sage or 2 tsp. dried
1  cup grated Gruyere cheese
1/2 - 3/4  cup toasted pine nuts

• Preheat oven to 375º. Rub squash with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. Place cut side down on sprayed rimmed baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes or until fork tender. Let cool until able to handle and scrape inside with a fork and pull strands away from skin. 
• While squash is cooking, heat 2 1/2 Tbsp. in skillet and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add parsley, thyme and balsamic vinegar until heated through. Add 1/2 of grated cheese and pine nuts. 
• Add this mixture to shredded squash and combine with a fork. Season with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. Add remaining cheese and pine nuts. If not warm enough, place back in oven for a few minutes. (2 healthy servings)

Note: This is so good and filling ... all that you need for a complete meal. 

'SIMPLE ONE PLATE JANUARY SUPPER' ~ ROASTED SWEET POTATO 'ZOODLES' with RED PEARS, BABY SPINACH and SAUTÉED PECANS

"The shortest day has passed, and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to in January and February, at least we notice that the days are getting longer.  Minute by minute they lengthen out.  It takes some weeks before we become aware of the change.  It is imperceptible even as the growth of a child, as you watch it day by day, until the moment comes when with a start of delighted surprise we realize that we can stay out of doors in a twilight lasting for another quarter of a precious hour."

~ Vita Sackville-West

(January Sunset - Hubbard Lake, MI)

ROASTED SWEET POTATO 'ZOODLES' with RED PEARS, BABY SPINACH and SAUTÉED PECANS
(adapted from Wegans)

4  medium spiraled sweet potatoes

3-4  Red diced pears

8  oz. baby spinach

1  cup pecans or walnuts 

1/4  cup extra virgin olive oil or more if needed to lightly coat

2-3  Tbsp. unsalted butter

2  Tbsp. chopped chives or dried to taste

zest of 1-2 lemons

freshly ground black pepper and coarse salt to taste

• Preheat oven to 400º. Spray 2 baking sheets with coating.
• Toss sweet potatoes and pears in large bowl. Season with salt & pepper. Spread evenly over the 2 baking sheets. Roast 20 minutes. Remove from oven, add spinach to each pan, and turn all well before returning to oven. Continue roasting another 20 minutes or until lightly browned and tender. 
• While potatoes are roasting, melt butter in pan and add pecans. Sauté pecans until lightly brown and fragrant. Set aside. 
• Add roasted potatoes, pears, and spinach to large bowl. Add chives, lemon zest (reserve some for garnish), and pecans (reserve some for garnish). Adjust seasonings and serve. 

FAREWELL OCTOBER 'SIMPLE AUTUMN SUPPER' ~ PARMESAN GARLIC SPINACH SPAGHETTI SQUASH

"October is Nature's funeral month. Nature glories in death more than in life. The month of departure is more beautiful than the month of coming—October than May. Every green thing loves to die in bright colors." 

~Henry Ward Beecher (1813–1887)

( October Glory ~ Hubbard Lake, MI)

PARMESAN GARLIC SPINACH SPAGHETTI SQUASH

~  Slightly adapted from Peas And Crayons 

1  Medium spaghetti squash

2  1/2  Tbsp. minced garlic

1  Tbsp. organic olive oil (or avocado oil)

5 - 8  oz.  chopped fresh spinach

1/2  cup cream or sour cream

1  Tbsp. cream cheese

1/2  cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping

coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

grated or sliced mozzarella for topping to taste (although have never done this using only Parmesan)

• Pre-heat oven to 400º.
• Slice squash in half lengthwise and scoop our seeds. (For easy cutting, pierce squash a few times with knife - so it doesn't burst - and stick squash in microwave to soften up a tad. Cook 3-5 minutes until knife slides through. Smaller squash need about 3 minutes and larger more. 
• Brush inside of squash with olive and season with salt & pepper. Place upside down on baking sheet and roast squash 30-45 minutes or longer (depending on size) until tender. 
• While squash roasts, heat olive oil in skillet and sauté garlic on medium-high until fragrant. 
• Add spinach and stir until wilted. Add cream, cream cheese and parmesan cheese and stir well. Season with salt & pepper and remove from heat.
• Once squash is done, allow to cool until easily handled and use a fork to separate and fluff the strands.
• Pour spinach sauce over each squash and stir to mix. Top with mozzarella (if desired)  and additional parmesan. 
• Can bake at 350º for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly but, finding it perfect the way it is, I never have. Can also stick under broiler to warm up!

WHOLESOME 'SIMPLE ONE PLATE' WINTER FARE SUPPER ~ SHEET PAN HONEY ROASTED NORWEGIAN SALMON with BRUSSELS SPROUTS and RAINBOW CARROTS

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home."

- Edith Sitwell

Hubbard Lake Cottage Fireplace

SHEET PAN HONEY ROASTED NORWEGIAN SALMON with BRUSSELS SPROUTS and RAINBOW CARROTS 

 ~ sometimes the simplest things are the best
 (slightly adapted from Cooking Light)

1  1/2  lbs.  Norwegian Salmon (or any favorite seasonal salmon)

Salmon Marinade:

1  1/2  Tbsp. low sodium soy or tamari

1  Tbsp. virgin olive oil

1  Tbsp. honey

1  Tbsp. fresh lime juice plus zest

1  minced garlic clove

1  tsp. freshly grated ginger

Preheat oven to 400º. Coat foil-lined baking sheet pan with cooking spray.Combine ingredients for Salmon Marinade and pour over salmon. Set aside.

2  Tbsp. virgin olive oil

1  minced garlic clove

12  oz.  trimmed and halved Brussels Sprouts

3-4  cups sliced organic Rainbow (Tri-Colored) Carrots

1/2  tsp. Hungarian Paprika

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2  Tbsp. thinly diagonally sliced green onions

sesame seeds (optional)

• Combine oil, garlic, paprika, salt & freshly ground pepper. Sprinkle over Brussels sprouts and carrots and toss to coat. Spread evenly on baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes. Stir vegetables and push to edges of pan creating open center. 
• Place marinated salmon in open center. Pour leftover marinade over salmon. Bake for 15 minutes. 
• Top salmon with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots.   

Note:  Served in picture - side of Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives (Simply Boil quartered small unpeeled Yukon Gold Potatoes in salted water until fork tender. Mash slightly. Add butter, chives, salt & pepper, and sour cream to taste.) 

   (Roasted Norwegian Salmon, Brussels sprouts & Rainbow Carrots)

SIMPLE 'ONE PLATE' LENTEN SUPPER ~ HONEY GARLIC BUTTER in FOIL

March, when days are getting long,
Let thy growing hours be strong
To set right some wintry wrong.

~ Caroline May, 1887

THAWING LAKE

 (Hubbard Lake, MI)

HONEY GARLIC BUTTER SALMON in FOIL

So easy and delicious from Cafe Delights https://cafedelites.com

2  1/2  lb. salmon

1/4  cup butter

1/3  cup honey 

4  large cloves crushed garlic

2  Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (juice of 1/2 lemon)

sea salt to taste

cracked pepper to taste

2  Tbsp. fresh chopped parsley

lemon slices for garnish

• Position rack in middle of oven. Preheat oven to 375º. Line a baking tray/sheet to create a packet (or 2 long pieces of foil  overlapping each over other lengthwise to create your salmon packet, depending on the width of your fillet).
• In small saucepan, melt butter over low -medium heat. Add honey, garlic, and lemon. Whisk nail honey has melted through the butter and the mixture is well combined.
• Place salmon onto lined baking tray/sheet. Pour butter/honey mixture over salmon and using a pastry brush or spoons, spread evenly over the salmon. Sprinkle with salt (about 2 tsp.) and cracked pepper. Fold the sides of foil over salmon to cover and completely seal the packet closed so butter down not leak.
• Bake until cooked through (about 15-18 minutes, depending on thickness of your fish and your preference of doneness). Open foil, being careful of escaping steam, and grill/broil under grill /broiler for 2-3 minutes on medium heat to caramelize the top.
• Garnish with parsley and lemon. (Serves 8)
• Great served with simple baked sweet potato topped with sour cream and chives. 

Honey Garlic Butter Salmon in Foil 

SAYING GOODBYE TO WINTER ~ (SIMPLE ONE PLATE SUPPER) MEDITERRANEAN BEEF STEW with FRESH ROSEMARY

"The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter is in the imagination." 

~ Terri Guillemets

MEDITERRANEAN BEEF STEW with ROSEMARY

This wonderful tasty recipe created by Kalyn Denny at KalynsKitchen.com tried several times, perfect for tonight ... the last night of WINTER

8  oz. sliced mushrooms

1-2  Tbsp. olive oil 

1  diced onion in 1/2 inch pieces

2  lbs. diced chick steak, cut into 1/2 inch pieces 

1  cup beef stock

1   14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

1/2  cup tomato sauce

1/4  cup balsamic vinegar

1 can sliced black olives

1/2  cup thinly sliced garlic cloves

2  Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 Tbsp. dried)

2  Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley (or 1 Tbsp. dried)

1  Tbsp. capers (or more to taste)

freshly ground black pepper

• Heat small amount of olive oil in heavy frying pan, add mushrooms and saute several minutes, until barely starting to brown. Add to Slow Cooker. Add diced onion to same pan, adding more oil if needed, and cook about 5 minutes. Add to Pot. Again, add more  oil if needed, then add diced beef and brown well, about 10-15 minutes. Don't rush the browning step. Add beef to pot. 
• Add I cup beef stock to pan and simmer a few minutes until slightly reduced, scraping off all browned bits. Add to Pot. Add diced tomatoes and juice, tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, olives, garlic, rosemary, parsley, capers, and black pepper. Still gently to combine, then put lid on Pot and cook 6-8 hours on low. (You could cook this 3-4 hours on high, but for a recipe with large pieces of garlic like this I prefer the low setting.) Serve hot. 
• If you do all in advance preparation the night before and put combined ingredients in the refrigerator overnight, this could cook as long as 10 hours in the Pot while away. Manufacturers don't recommend putting crockery liner with prepared ingredients in the refrigerator; store in another container so contents stay cold, then put in pot in the morning. 
• For stovetop cooking: Follow steps as outlined, putting ingredients in heavy dutch oven type pan. Add one cup additional beef stock. Simmer on very low heat about 2 hours. Serve hot. 
• Note: This is Kayln's recipe works even doubled since I had 4 pounds plus of beef plus have a heavy hand with spices, etc. ... you can't go wrong adding/sub-tracting as you choose.     

Mediterranean Beef Stew with Fresh Rosemary 
(on Turmeric Rice*)


TURMERIC RICE
(adapted from 60 Minute Gourmet http://www.nytimes.com)

1 cup converted rice (I never use so use this or favorite rice)
1  Tbsp. butter 
1  Tbsp. olive oil
1/4  cup chopped onions
1  tsp. chopped garlic 
2  tsp. numeric
1  1/2 cup chicken broth
1  bay leaf
2  springs fresh or 1 tsp. fresh thyme
tabasco, salt and pepper to taste 

• In heavy saucepan with tight fitting lid, melt butter and olive oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until wilted. Add rice and turmeric. Stir to coat.
• Add broth, bay leaf, thyme, Tabasco, salt & pepper. Blend well, bring to boil and simmer for 17 minutes or what package on preferred rice suggests.
• Uncover and stir with a fork. Remove bay leaf.  

'DEVIL'S NIGHT' ~ ROASTED SPAGHETTI SQUASH with FRESH SAGE BROWN BUTTER

"The greatest advantage of all is that when people think you're a witch, you can eat an entire serving of squash by yourself."

~ Kathleen O'Near Gear, People of the Midst 

(Witch Portraits taken years ago at Franklin Cider Mill) 

ROASTED SPAGHETTI SQUASH with BROWN BUTTER SAGE WALNUT SAUCE

~ Earthy taste of autumn 

(dinner for 2)

Large spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise

olive oil

 coarse salt & fresh ground pepper to taste

sprigs of fresh sage to taste

 4  Tbsp. butter

1/2 cup walnuts or pignoli nuts

• Preheat oven to 400º.
• Halve squash and place cut side down on baking sheet. Depending on size, roast 40-60 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest.
• In the meantime, while roasting squash is resting, melt butter over medium heat and cook, swirling until foam subsides until nutty and fragrant. Add walnuts (or pine nuts), salt & pepper. As nuts brown, add fresh sage.
• Scrape tender squash with fork. Place on serving dish and top with browned butter sage & walnut topping.

Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Brown Butter Sage Walnut Sauce 

SIMPLE ONE PLATE 'OCTOBER' DINNER: MAPLE DIJON GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN & CLASSIC BAKED ACORN SQUASH

"I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

~  L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

OCTOBER LEAVES

(Hubbard Lake, MI)

MAPLE DIJON GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN

~  Delicious 'Simple One Plate' Autumn supper slightly adapted compliments of allrecipes

MAPLE DIJON GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN

1  1/2  lbs. trimmed pork tenderloin

1  cup maple syrup

2  Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1  tsp. sesame oil (or hot spiced sesame oil)

3  cloves minced garlic

 freshly ground pepper to taste

• Place pork in shallow dish. Combine maple syrup, Dijon mustard, sesame oil, garlic, and pepper. Pour over pork and coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate at least 8 hours or overnight. 
• Preheat grill for medium-low heat.
• Remover pork from marinade and set aside. Transfer marinade to small saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
• Grill pork 15 - 20 minutes or until desired doneness. (Could be less time depending on thickness ... check with your meat thermometer on how you like it cooked and allow time to rest where temp rises). 
• Carve tenderloin on an angle and serve topped with heated marinade. 

Maple Pork Dijon Tenderloins 

CLASSIC BAKED ACORN SQUASH

~  Could live on acorn squash in autumn ... and this is so simple and classic. Giving credit to Simply Recipes that is often a 'go-to' site for me since Elise and I are on the same page as to food we like. This is my same recipe I have done for years (hated as a child but in awe as I watched my dear mother dine on it thinking, hating the name, there must be something to this ... ) with the exception of scoring squash that makes it look divine and addition of freshly ground pepper, a must for me ... 

 1  Acorn squash

1  Tbsp. butter

2  Tbsp. brown sugar

2  tsp. Maple syrup

dash of coarse and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• Preheat oven to 400º.
• Using a sharp sturdy chef's knife, carefully cut squash in half, from stem to tip. 
• Scrape out seeds and stringy bits inside until smooth.
• With a sharp knife, score inside of squash in a cross-hatch pattern.
• Place squash halves, cut side up, in roasting pan. Pour 1/4  inch of water over bottom of pan so squash does not burn or dry out.
• Rub butter into inside of each half. Sprinkle with dash of salt (if not using salted butter). Sprinkle with cracked freshly ground pepper. Crumble brown sugar over each half and drizzle with maple syrup. 
• Bake for about 1 hour or plus until tops of squash are nicely browned and squash flesh is soft. (Hard to overcook and just gets better with more caramelization.) 
• Remove from oven and cool a bit before serving. Spoon any buttery sugar sauce over entire squash. 

Classic Baked Acorn Squash

Divine 'Simple One Plate' October Dinner

(Maple Dijon Grilled Pork Tenderloin & Classic Baked Acorn Squash)  

FAREWELL SWEET SEPTEMBER ~ 'SIMPLE SEPTEMBER ONE PLATE SUPPER' APRICOT DIJON GLAZED SALMON & HONEY SRIRACHA ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

"September: It was the most beautiful of works, he'd always felt, evoking orange-flowers, swallows, and regret."

~  Alexander Theroux

Orange Mum

APRICOT DIJON GLAZED SALMON

Yummy autumn 'Simple One Pate Supper' - Salmon baked in apricot dijon glaze with ginger and lime compliments of Kevin Lynch at Closet Cooking

4 (6-oz) salmon filets or  one large filet
1/4  cup apricot preserves
1  Tbsp. grainy mustard
1  Tbps. Dijon mustard
1  Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
1  Tbsp. lime juice (added to recipe) 
1  tsp. grated lime zest
2  tsp. grated ginger
2  tsp. grated garlic

• Place salmon on baking dish.
• Brush with mixture of apricot preserves, mustards, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, and garlic.
• Bake in preheated 400º oven until salmon just starts to flake easily, about 10 minutes. (4 servings)
• (Option: marinate salmon in glaze 30+ minutes before baking.) 

Apricot Dijon Glazed Salmon & Honey Sriracha Roasted Brussels Sprouts

HONEY SRIRACHA ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Spicy roasted Brussels sprouts 

compliments of Shared Appetite

1 1/2  lbs. Brussels sprouts

2  Tbsp. olive oil

Kosher salt

1  Tbsp. sriracha 

3  Tbsp. honey

1  juiced lime

• Preheat oven to 400º.
• Cut off stem end of sprouts and pull off any yellow outer leaves. Cut in half.
• Place sprouts in large bowl, drizzle with olive oil and season generously with Kosher salt. Toss to coat. Place  in single layer on aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Roast for 35-40 minutes, shaking pan a few times throughout cooking process, until crisp and golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside.
• Meanwhile, combine srircha, honey, and lime in small bowl. Season with Kosher salt.
• Remove sprouts from oven, transfer to large bowl, and drizzle with sauce. Toss lightly to coat and serve immediately. (Serves 4)

FAREWELL SWEET SUMMER ~ SIMPLE ONE PLATE SUMMER SUPPER: ROASTED SHRIMP COCKTAIL & STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD

"But now in September the garden has cooled, and with it my possessiveness. The sun warms my back instead of beating on my head ... The harvest has dwindled, and I have grown apart from the intense midsummer relationship that brought it on."

~ Robert Finch

(SEPTEMBER SUMMER END)

ROASTED SHRIMP COCKTAIL

( Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten) 

2  lbs. (12-15 count) shrimp

1  Tbsp. good olive oil

1/2  tsp. kosher salt

1/2  tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Sauce:

1/2 cup chili sauce (recommended Heintz)
1/2  cup ketchup
3  Tbsp. prepared horseradish
2  tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2  tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4  tsp. hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)

• Preheat oven to 400º F.
• Peel and devein shrimp, leaving tails on. Place on sheet pan with olive oil, salt, and pepper and spread in 1 layer. Roast for 8-10 minutes, just until pink and firm and cooked through. Set aside to cool.
• Sauce:  Come chili sauce, ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Serve as a dip with the shrimp. 

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail



STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD

( Light, crisp and perfect for warm weather dining. Recipe, slightly adapted, from love & zest  )

For each person:

2  cups mixed salad greens
4-6  oz. grilled chicken breast
(my recipe BELOW ... easy to cut recipe in half) *
1 tsp. olive oll
1/4  thinly sliced red onion
4 sliced strawberries
1  Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4  sliced avocado
3  Tbsp. toasted pecans

• In cast iron skillet sauté onions in olive oil.
• Add stawberries and balsamic vinegar to pan to gently warm and blister the strawberries.
• Build the salad with greens, chicken breast, balsamic onions and strawberries, avocado, and top with pecans.
• Drizzle salad with remains balsamic vinegar from the pan.

Note:  If not enough dressing for your taste, here is a wonderful Balsamic Vinaigrette to spash on ... Whisk together - 1 clove minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard, 3 Tbsp. Balsamic vinegar, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Rally which in 1 cup extra-virging olive oil. 

Strawberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad

MEDITERRANEAN GRILLED CHICKEN

~ Tuck this easy grilled chicken recipe away. Spring, summer, autumn and winter ~ it is very versatile for sandwiches, salad, atop pasta or showcased alone with rice, orzo, etc.

Marinade:

juice of 1-2 lemons (depending on size) and zest

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. coarse ground black pepper

12 halves boneless chicken breasts

Combine marinade ingredients and pour over chicken (the longer the better). Before grilling, bring to room temperature. Place chicken on grill and cook 7 minutes. Flip, baste with marinade and cook an additional 7-10 minutes, depending on thickness. Bring remaining marinade to boil and simmer 5 minutes. Spoon over cooked chicken. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. (For an earthy flavor, grill over soaked mesquite chips).

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Breasts