Yearly Archives: 2008

Giving Thanks in Ohio

I spent Thanksgiving in eastern Ohio. Despite being firmly planted in the Great Lakes snowbelt, this area of the country welcomed the holiday with sun and unseasonable warmth. We took advantage of the weather by hiking through nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Just minutes from busy towns and factories, the Cuyahoga River cuts through the […]

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Joelen - What fabulous photos!

Joelen - What fabulous photos!

Nick - We also had Old Rasputin. Don’t forget that.

Nick - We also had Old Rasputin. Don’t forget that.

Evan - I agree w/ Joelen; beautiful photos Gemma!

Evan - I agree w/ Joelen; beautiful photos Gemma!

Gemma - Thanks Joelen and Evan! It was a picturesque area. And you’re right Nick, there were a few Old Rasputins in there.

Gemma - Thanks Joelen and Evan! It was a picturesque area. And you’re right Nick, there were a few Old Rasputins in there.

Thanksgiving Recipes

I'm off to Ohio after work today.  Nick, Jerry and I rented a car and have a 7 hour drive ahead of us.  The Midwest roads are, so far, mercifully clear of snow.  I am trying two new recipes this year from two talented women: Orangette's Cream Braised Brussels Sprouts and The Pioneer Woman's Whiskey […]

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Joelen - What a great menu and I can only imagine how the delicious the spread was!

Joelen - What a great menu and I can only imagine how the delicious the spread was!

Classic Pumpkin Pie

I don't know about you, but my Thanksgivings don't feel quite complete until I am sinking my teeth into a slice of pumpkin pie.  There are dozens of recipes out there, but this delicately spiced version is an old favorite that is easy to come back to. Classic Pumpkin Pie Ingredients 1 pie crust, rolled […]

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Liz C - I love regular old pumpkin pie and this looks fabulous! Can’t wait to make me some.
:)

Liz C - I love regular old pumpkin pie and this looks fabulous! Can’t wait to make me some.
:)

Tracy - I actually don’t like pumpkin pie but happy Thanksgiving to you! I’m actually headed to Chicago. Let’s cross our fingers for no snow between Chicago and Ohio!

Tracy - I actually don’t like pumpkin pie but happy Thanksgiving to you! I’m actually headed to Chicago. Let’s cross our fingers for no snow between Chicago and Ohio!

Forkable - I’m so glad you use canned pumpkin! I mean roasting your own is fun, but canned pumpkin is so much easier and just as good. I love Thanksgiving!

Forkable - I’m so glad you use canned pumpkin! I mean roasting your own is fun, but canned pumpkin is so much easier and just as good. I love Thanksgiving!

Kelly J. - I have never seen molasses in a pumpkin pie before and I must say, I an wanting to try it!

Kelly J. - I have never seen molasses in a pumpkin pie before and I must say, I an wanting to try it!

gemma - Thanks Liz! Happy travels to you Tracy, It’s cold here!
I agree Forkable. I love having the time to roast pumpkin and make a pie truly from scratch, but it isn’t terribly necessary — especially when you have a whole menu to prepare!
Hi Kelly, I really like the molasses in here. It adds a depth to the flavor that is lost without it.

gemma - Thanks Liz! Happy travels to you Tracy, It’s cold here!
I agree Forkable. I love having the time to roast pumpkin and make a pie truly from scratch, but it isn’t terribly necessary — especially when you have a whole menu to prepare!
Hi Kelly, I really like the molasses in here. It adds a depth to the flavor that is lost without it.

Culinary Resources - Pumpkin Pie is looking great. I saw many pumpkin pie recipes on net. but your’s is different.
Thanks for posting
Lucy

Culinary Resources - Pumpkin Pie is looking great. I saw many pumpkin pie recipes on net. but your’s is different.
Thanks for posting
Lucy

Joelen - What a gorgeous pie… and I love your pics – so stunning!

Joelen - What a gorgeous pie… and I love your pics – so stunning!

Gemma - Thanks Culinary Resources and Joelen!

Gemma - Thanks Culinary Resources and Joelen!

Brussels Sprouts with Pecans and Pecorino

I first began cooking with Brussels sprouts a few years ago.  Since that time, no holiday meal seems complete without a side of these whimsical, miniature cabbages.  I grew up thinking there was good reason to dislike Brussels sprouts, without ever having the occasion to try them.  As far as I can tell, these childhood […]

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Zarah Maria - This sounds utterly delish Gemma. Consider it bookmarked!

Zarah Maria - This sounds utterly delish Gemma. Consider it bookmarked!

jeannette - thanksgiving is over for this canadian, but that’s not going to stop me from eating one of my favorite vegetables! this looks amazing.

jeannette - thanksgiving is over for this canadian, but that’s not going to stop me from eating one of my favorite vegetables! this looks amazing.

gemma - Thanks Zarah and Jeannette. I hope you enjoy the recipe. And happy belated Thanksgiving to you Jeannette!

gemma - Thanks Zarah and Jeannette. I hope you enjoy the recipe. And happy belated Thanksgiving to you Jeannette!

Joelen - The combo of pecans, pecorino and brussel sprouts sounds wonderful! I don’t prepare brussel sprouts very often but from your picture, I plan on giving this a try soon!

Joelen - The combo of pecans, pecorino and brussel sprouts sounds wonderful! I don’t prepare brussel sprouts very often but from your picture, I plan on giving this a try soon!

Evan Petrie - Following this recipe for our Thanksgiving Brussels Sprouts dish!
Thanks Gemma!

Evan Petrie - Following this recipe for our Thanksgiving Brussels Sprouts dish!
Thanks Gemma!

Cynar Negroni

On Friday Nick and I played host to my brother and our favorite bartender, Parker.  The weather had taken a dive and we didn't feel much like hiking to the liquor store after work.  We ended up improvising with some items we had on hand and came up with a delightful fall cocktail.  Ever since […]

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jak - a well made negroni is such a terrific thing. cynar is an interesting idea… will definitely try it out.

jak - a well made negroni is such a terrific thing. cynar is an interesting idea… will definitely try it out.

gemma - I agree. I’m so glad they were introduced to me when they were. I hope you enjoy this twist on it!

gemma - I agree. I’m so glad they were introduced to me when they were. I hope you enjoy this twist on it!

Joelen - This sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing :)

Joelen - This sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing :)

art - I too am a Negroni fan. And a fan of pretty much anything with gin. Does the Cynar have a noticeable artichoke flavor?

art - I too am a Negroni fan. And a fan of pretty much anything with gin. Does the Cynar have a noticeable artichoke flavor?

Gemma - Hi Art,
Cynar does not have a noticeable artichoke flavor to me. It is definitely more earthy than a fruity Campari, but it will compliment a wide variety of mixers.
Enjoy, it is one of my favorites!

Gemma - Hi Art,
Cynar does not have a noticeable artichoke flavor to me. It is definitely more earthy than a fruity Campari, but it will compliment a wide variety of mixers.
Enjoy, it is one of my favorites!