MID-OCTOBER 'SOUP FOR SUPPER' ~ ITALIAN WHITE BEAN MUSHROOM SPINACH SOUP

And the Autumn clutches the forests green

In a hasty and eager clasp;

But the leaves are true to the Summer they love,

And they wither and fade in his grasp.

~ J.J. Britton (1832-1913), "Death'

(Autumn Abstract)

ITALIAN WHITE BEAN MUSHROOM SPINACH SOUP

~  perfect for a blustery autumn day

I  cup chopped onions (red or white or some of each)

1  Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil or more if needed

1  lb. mushrooms sliced (shitake, baby bella, white, wild ... or combo of several)

2  minced garlic cloves

1  Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary

1  Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme

freshly ground pepper to taste

1  16 oz. box/can organic chicken stock or organic vegetable broth

juice of squeezed fresh lemon

1  16-oz. can rinsed and drained cannelloni beans

1  lb. fresh baby spinach

crushed red pepper flakes

• Heat olive oil in stock pot. Add onions and sauté until tender. Add mushrooms and garlic and sauté until tender. Add fresh herbs and pepper and sauté a bit longer.
• Add chicken or vegetable stock and beans and bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer 10 minutes.  
• Add baby spinach and crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Simmer gently 5 minutes.
• Adjust seasonings. If desired, serve topped with shaved Parmesan Cheese and crusty bread. 

WELCOME OCTOBER! (CAPRESE STUFFED GARLIC BUTTER PORTOBELLOS)

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." 

~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

(Autumn Abstract)

CAPRESE STUFFED GARLIC BUTTER PORTOBELLOS 

(Garlic buttered Portobello Mushrooms stuffed with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato slices and fresh shredded basil then drizzled with rich balsamic glaze ... compliments of  Cafe Delites)

Garlic Butter:

2  Tbsp. butter

2 cloves crushed garlic

1  Tbsp. freshly chopped parsley

Mushrooms:

5 large Portobello Mushrooms, stem removed, washed, and dried with paper towel

5  fresh thinly slices of mozzarella cheese

1  cup sliced grape/cherry tomatoes

fresh shredded basil for garnish

Balsamic Glaze:

1/4  cup balsamic vinegar

2  tsp. brown sugar

(Combine sugar and vinegar in small saucepan over high heat. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened and returned to glaze)

• Preheat oven to grill/broil settings on high heat.
• Combine all of Garlic Butter ingredients in small saucepan (or microwave safe bowl) and melt until garlic is fragrant. Brush bottoms of each mushroom and place buttered side down on baking tray.
• Fill each mushroom with mozzarella slices and tomatoes, and grill/broil until cheese has melted and golden in color (about 8 minutes).
• Serve topped with basil and drizzled balsamic glaze.      

JUNE 'SIMPLE ONE PLATE SUNSET SUPPER' ~ WILD ALASKAN SOCKEYE SALMON with MAPLE LEMON GLAZE

"I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June."

-  L. M. Montgomery

Nearing summer solstice sunset ~

(Hubbard Lake, MI)

WILD ALASKAN SOCKEYE SALMON with MAPLE LEMON GLAZE

~ Perfect 'Simple One Plate Sunset Supper'

For each pound of salmon:

2  Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

zest of 1 lemon

2  Tbsp. Maple Syrup

1  Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar

1  Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

freshly ground black pepper

touch of coarse sea salt

• Combine lemon juice, zest, maple syrup, vinegar, and olive. oil. Pour over salmon and marinate at least 30 minutes. 
• Remove from salmon from marinade. Place marinade in pan and reduce until beginning to slightly thicken. 
• Sprinkle salmon with pepper & salt and grill, depending on thickness, until desired doneness and flakes easy.  

Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon with Maple Lemon Glaze

and Baked Sweet Potato with Sour Cream & Fresh Chives