Do you love Autumn and all the seasonal changes? How about the change in foods that we associate with that cozy, warm sense of well being that we feel from the familiar seasonal change to Autumn?
With the arrival of Autumn, changing seasons, the kitchen becomes the place to gather around for home. Comfort foods like favorites Shepherd’s Pie, are enjoyed.
Eighteenth Century peasant housewives in the north of England and Scotland
After carving your pumpkin, save the pumpkin seeds for a sweet nutty snack, and savor the season as we embrace the changing season!
Old-Fashioned Shepherd's Pie
3/4 lb. ground beef (or meat or poultry of choice)
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 to 1 Tbsp. olive oil
3 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup fresh, canned, or frozen whole-kernel corn (or vegetable of choice)
1/2 c. beef broth (or liquid of choice)
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Paprika (other herbs, as desired)
Prepare mashed potatoes according to your favorite recipe.
Warm the olive oil in large frying pan and sauté onions and garlic over medium heat for about 2 to 4 minutes.
Add ground beef. Stir and turn frequently, until meat is cooked. Remove from heat and drain excess grease. Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, if desired. Stir well.
Place meat into a medium-sized casserole dish. Top with frozen corn, uncooked. Spread mashed potatoes over top, and sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, until edges turn golden.
Cut into eight portions. Serve with hard, crusty bread and a green salad.
Warm, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Whole pumpkin
1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut open the pumpkin. Use a sturdy metal spoon to scoop out the inside. Separate the seeds from the stringy core, and rinse seeds well.
Spread olive oil on the bottom of a roasting pan, and spread the seeds out in one layer. Bake on the top rack for 10 to 12 minutes, until seeds begin to brown. When browned, remove from oven and let cool on a rack.
Depending on taste, you can crack to remove the inner seed or eat whole. Seeds can be seasoned with sea salt, sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic powder or curry. Another variety would be to sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar.
Serve with hot apple cider and delectable cinnamon sticks. Genworth Financial, Inc. Recipe shared from Marvin A. Johnson, Chamber of Commerce Business Associate and friend in
Enjoy!
Doris Hullett
