Welcome back to my kitchen. I’m excited to share some favorite meals and recipes from September and fresh inspiration for your fall cuisine.
a new source of inspiration
One fun thing for me this month was receiving a copy of Monique Volz’s Ambitious Kitchen cookbook. I have been using recipes from her website for over ten years, and her cookbook release has been long awaited. I pre-ordered the book and got it in the mail the day it came out. It is beautifully laid out and packed full of interesting and nutritious recipes for all meals of the day.
So far, I have tried three recipes from it and all of them have been great.
#1 No-knead Pumpkin Cranberry Harvest Artisan Bread - this is as close to sourdough as you can get without a sourdough starter. It was easy to throw together and looked so rustically elegant. I subbed raisins for cranberries which worked just fine.
#2 Squash Baked Mac and Cheese - I have made similar recipes before, but what made this one stand out was the bread crumb and sage topping. My husband and toddler were both big fans. I’ve linked a similar recipe if you want to try it!
#3 Buttery Pie Crust - full disclosure, I hate the process of making pie crust so my husband actually made this one. The texture is truly buttery and perfect for sweet or savory pies, quiches, etc. He made extra so this will supply us with pumpkin pie for thanksgiving, as well as a few chicken pot pies for the freezer!
september favorites
We have been eating well this month, due to the beautiful produce of the harvest season, and some new local sources that I have found. I am blessed to be able to access local farm eggs for a very good price, as well as farm fresh butter and milk and grass-fed pork. I am so glad that I can support local farmers and be given such attractive and nutritious food.
I’ve been doing small small batch canning to preserve a few items that we had in access. I can’t say that canning is my favorite, but I do enjoy being able to open jars of homemade jams and salsa throughout the winter months. One absolutely outstanding canning recipe that I made for the first time was zucchini relish. My husband and I have been enjoying it on everything from grilled cheese to pork-chops. The recipe I used is here.
Another fun recipe that I made when some friends came over was this hidden vegetable hamburger helper. It was given rave reviews by kids and adults alike, and will definitely be a staple moving forward. Note: I did puree the vegetables before adding them to the sauce instead of just shredding them.
I’ve also enjoyed making some big salads with the produce we have received. The one pictured below was a roasted corn and kale salad, with chicken, feta, garden tomatoes and a sweet relish and mayo dressing. I’m not a fan of raw kale so the roasting process not only made it more palatable, but also added a fun crunch.
I had a quiet lunch out by myself which was definitely a highlight from the month. Leaving the toddler with my mother-in-law, I ventured into the city and spent the morning running errands and writing at my favorite café/deli, while eating the best Reuben sandwich of my life. My husband and I both agree that Reubens are a superior sandwich in every way. The café is called the Yellow Deli, and gives off strong Hobbiton vibes. My husband and I actually first went there the day before our wedding, and it felt like we had just entered a haven of delight. Everything is handmade, and in the winter there is a real, open fireplace. I just love it.
I also have had some major sourdough fails this month. Confession: I’ve never been able to get a my basic sourdough boules to be consistent, even though other sourdough recipes I make like English muffins, and tortillas all turn out fine. Maybe it is just the weather, or maybe…. I don’t know. We always eat the bread, no matter how flat it is, but hopefully someday I can get a consistent rise.
Finally, I will leave you with a little meal inspired poem that I wrote. I’m looking forward to hosting a few dinners over thanksgiving and plan to do just what I describe below.
light a candle on the table where you gather with friends and kin. let it remind you that the future all too soon fades into the past. eat, laugh, rest - these are the great gifts of life.
Also, somewhat random, but the book Greater Than a Tourist Manitoba that I wrote earlier this year is currently free on Amazon until October 8th. If you are planning a trip, or if you are just curious about places to see and things to do in Manitoba, give the e-book a download.
Thanks for reading! I’m curious - what were your September food favorites?
Peace,
Hannah Chartier
Ah I love these posts!! Also yay my favorite place in the world, the Yellow Dehli 😂😂