An Edible Ode to Fading Fall Colours
Chutney Dip with Crudités, Squash and Date Tea Bread, and Salted Caramel Pots de Crème
I’m back in the country for a bit. This time the leaves are off, the colour of the fields has been turned to mute, and the sky is full of drizzle. The landscape may seem a bit melancholy but, still, I love its poetic quality.
Tomorrow, the temperatures are predicted to plummet, so wool coats and hats will be on parade. (Make them colourful, please!) And, of course, the days from here on out will be shorter and darker. In light of that I’m giving you a few recipes this week that have a nice warm glow about them. They’re also easy and rewardingly delicious, perfect for this time of year.
But first, how about an autumn poem to celebrate the cycles of the seasons:
Perhaps the World Ends Here
By Joy Harjo
The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.
The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.
We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.
It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make men at it, we make women.
At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.
Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table.
This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.
Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory.
We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.
At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse. We give thanks.
Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite. ~
Well, here’s a sweet bite for you. Salty, too!
Salted Caramel Pots de Crème
This is a rich and luxurious fall/winter pudding that surprises and delights every time. It’s simple to make, and you can serve it straight from the fridge without any fuss. Perfect for when you don’t have a whole lot of ingredients in the pantry to work with or much time to spare.