Nesting,Treats and Recipes

As the days grow colder and frostier here, afternoon tea becomes even more of a special occasion every day.  Sometimes I bake a sweet treat for us.  Last week I baked these Pumpkin-Raisin Cookies.

Pumpkin Raisin Cookies --makes about 3 dozen

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup light, soft brown sugar
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups of all-purpose/plain flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda/bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1 cup of raisins
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven 350*F/175*C.  Line a baking tray with parchment paper.  In large baking bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add the pumpkin, egg and vanilla, beat well.  In a smaller bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.  Add the dry ingredients to the creamed pumpkin mixture, blending well.  Stir in the raisins and walnuts. Drop cookie batter by the tablespoonful, about 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking tray.  Bake cookies 12-15 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack.

This week I baked more of a new favorite on our table-- Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread.  I used this good recipe.  But I did a slight variation to the baking temperature/time--I baked my loaf at 400*F/200* for 50 minutes--for a less rock-hard crust.

Some of you were wondering about the soup of cauliflower & cider I mentioned last week.  So very glad to share the recipe  here.  The recipe is not entirely my own, but inspired by an old cookbook, which I sadly can't find a link to at present.  But the soup is great--the apple cider adds a bright zing to this soup.  The Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread makes a delicious accompaniment to the soup--add some cheese to the bread, or serve a green salad too and you've got a wonderful autumn meal!

Cauliflower & Cider Soup  --4 servings

• 2 Tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, thinly sliced
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• Cauliflower florets (from 1 medium--large, fresh cauliflower)
• 2 1/2 cups hard apple cider (this is the boozy kind of cider, if you want to do alcohol free, a rough apple cider also works well)
• Freshly grated nutmeg, or 1/4 teaspoon dried, ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup half & half cream/light cream
• Fresh ground sea salt & black peppper, to taste

In a large saucepan, heat the butter or oil over medium heat.  Add the onion, carrot and garlic, and sautee until soft, about 3-5 minutes.  Add the cauliflower to the pan.  Pour over the cider, and season with some salt, pepper and the nutmeg.  Bring to a boil, then reduce  heat to low.  Cover and simmer gently for about 35-50 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft and tender.  Transfer the soup to a blender or food processor, and blend soup to desired smoothness--working in batches if necessary.  Return the soup to the saucepan and stir in the milk and cream.  Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.  Simmer the soup over low heat to heat through again.  Serve in warm bowls.

Autumn is good for nesting in many ways, and I've been taking time to do some extra cleaning around the house (you know, those corners that get a bit neglected now & again ;o), restocking the pantry cupboard for baking, putting extra blankets on the bed, etc.  Very pleasurable... Each day a bit of time to take "inventory" and time to enjoy.  I feel like a little squirrel getting ready for winter... haha!

The weekend now... I think tea and treats will definitely be on the menu!  ;o)  Wishing you all sweet pleasures, comforts and joys this weekend!  See you soon...

With Love,

Comments

[Anyes]

Tracy, Sweet pleasures are definitely on the menu this coming week-end, specially with such yummy recipes. Enjoy your treats and your week-end :-)

[driftwood]

oooh yummy. loads of delicious treats for us here today. I love your description of getting ready for winter, you make a very lovely stylish squirrel xox

[Marie]

Everything looks so delicious Tracy. I could use some of those cookies now and that soup would definitely soothe my sore throat. Yep, still not really well. It seems to be ongoing. I have been working hard at my own project in the making here, and it's a hard slog. Very difficult on the eyes to be working only in black and white and always there are adjustments to be made . . . again and again. It's taken me all week to sort out one and I am not sure yet it is even right. I don't know how I'm going to get 25 done by December 15th! I am in a bit of a panic mode now! Love you loads and loads! xxoo

[Leslie]

Gorgeous photos of yummy sounding recipes. I'm intrigued by the soup because I have to eat so many blended foods with my health problems. It looks delicious!

The baked goods sound wonderful too. Thanks for sharing recipes! And thanks for your lovely voice of encouragement across the miles. You always make me smile and lift my heart : )

[Tea]

These recipes sound really good! I will have to try them. I love that little image of being a squirrel preparing for winter. :) There is something so fulfilling about being able to get our houses ready for upcoming seasons and taking care of our loves, isn't there? :)

Hope you have agreat weekend!

[Se'lah]

you're really Martha Stewart's twin, aren't you? ;)

so yummy. thanks for sharing.

[Puna]

This looks so wonderful. I really need comfort food today. And I need someone to cook it for me:)

[Jenny-Jenny]

I can't wait to try those cookies.

[Donna]

Yum! On a chilly, foggy, rainy day like we are having, one look at your pictures just warms me and makes me feel good. Wonder how good I would feel eating those cookies?

Have a lovely fall weekend, my friend.

[sheila]

What delightful gifts are here waiting for us Tracy! Such lovely recipes and photos of woodland and gifts in the making. Such peace and contentment too. Thank you for sharing so much. Have a lovely weekend.

[clara]

As I'm typing this, the aromas of these foods and their ingredients are already lingering around my nostrils :) Thanks for the recipes Tracy! Happy weekend!

[Gayle]

Yum! My daughter loves everything pumpkin but she is currently off of all dairy products. I wonder what the cookies would be like with vegetable shortening instead of butter. Probably not quite as yummy!

[Lisa Q]

thanks for sharing that recipe....it's going on my list of meals to try. Enjoy your weekend as you cozy in and prepare for winter.

[Jodi]

Cauliflower and cider soup -- why didn't I think of that when I was being overwhelmed by cauliflower from my CSA? And I just baked and mashed two pie pumpkins -- maybe there will be some cookies in my future. Have a lovely, nesting weekend.

[Maureen]

I think it is soup making time. I need to start planning. Thanks for the push!

[Amanda]

Hello pumpkin! I'll definitely have to try those. I love pumpkin bread, but am not a fan of pumpkin pie, so any other way to use it is always welcome. Happy Weekend!

[MrPuffy]

Just lovely, Tracy! I couldn't agree more - colder days means tea time is extra special :)

Your cookies look wonderful and so does the soup. I made a cauliflower soup last night - I'll have to try your version with the apple cider next time :)

[Gail]

Every one of these sounds delicious! I have copied them all out:) Thanks!
xoxo

[S. Etole]

sounds like a cozy time with some good autumn treats ....

[michelle marlahan]

oh word... i just started a 28 day cleanse. no dairy, bread, or sugar. (uh, but those are my main staples!!) those cookies make my mouth water. and i'm going to try the soup with a non-dairy milk. will let you know how it turns out!

also... we hired a house cleaner (first time ever!). it is SO nice to have the house deep cleaned for fall. lots of room for acorns in our squirrel corners now =)

thanks for the cozy fall yums!

[raina]

Mmmm, I made chocolate chip cookies. Must be that kind of day. I am actually in between courses right now so taking full advantage of the break. I will have a crazy four weeks at work so I took today off to shore us the strength :) Happy weekend my friend.

[Isabelle]

This all looks so delicious!

Have a lovely weekend, dear friend. :) (((hugs)))

[Wild Rose]

Perfect comfort food for the colder days of autumn.

Have a lovely weekend.

Marie x

[Melanie]

What wonderful meals you have been preparing. Soup is so comforting in this wet weather. We've changed from scones to chelsea buns. :-)

Only 9 weeks until Christmas means that I have to start to look at special makings. All part of the ritual of this time of the year.

[Kath]

Lovely! And I feel so at home. I'm drinking a cup of tea poured from that very same pot right now!