It’s snowing here, whilst I am up in Maine for the weekend, and given that it is November, I am ok with that. It also means that it is coming right up on Thanksgiving. As many longtime followers will know, pretty much every year, I try a new take on Cranberry Sauce. Some years, it been with champagne or port wine, some years, I have added other fruit, which is where we are today: Roasted Cranberry Peach Chutney. A bit of late summer sunshine (the peaches), tilted to fall. A bit of late summer sunshine (the peaches), tilted to fall with those tart, crisp cranberries.
Sides
Last summer, I make these super-crispy roast fingerling potatoes. They were so good, in fact, that I pretty much ate the entire dish in one sitting. Crispy, golden outside, fluffy and delicious on the inside. As I am often known to do, once I find a recipe that I really like, I try variations on them and that it what this is: Garlic and Herb Roasted Fingerlings. Also delicious, but you definitely have to be careful to no sog out the potatoes with the garlic herb butter.
More comfort food – getting to be that time of year, eh? This time I’ve stayed on the North American continent and went for Mushroom poutine for dinner. Why not get some protein in with those carbs. Totally over the top and delicious. While I don’t necessarily recommend shortcuts, this can also be done with the fries of the frozen variety and likely no one would be the wiser. Quality cheddar curds make all the difference in the world too. Those that I used, of course, came from Vermont.
OK, I have to admit that the reason that I made this dish – Scottish-inspired Rumpledethumps – was because of the word Rumpledethumps. I mean, honestly, it’s a little silly sounding. Although, no more silly than Bubbles and Squeak or Colcannon, of which this dish is very similar too. Mashed potatoes, a cabbage type, lots of butter and in this case, baked with cheddar on top. It’s comfort food at it’s best. Perfect as a autumn or winter food side. Gluten-free of course, though not dairy free with the butter (mmmmm, butter) and melty cheese.
I call Patty Pan squash UFO Squash. Or Alien Squash. Or simply mutants. They are similar to summer squash or zucchini and you can actually prepare those types of squash the same way as this recipe. This made a great side dish to fish this evening but also pairs well with chicken or red meat, or simply on it’s own, I guess. Aim to buy smaller patty pans, or cut them in half, which I don’t think is as pretty. Really easy peasy recipe.





