Here we are again! Made it!! How are you all doing out there as you gear up for more holidays? And how was your Thanksgiving? For many, that question is easy to answer, but for others, not so much! Holidays have a way of stressing people out, demanding perfection in an imperfect world, and they pull at your purse strings as if your resources are limitless.
I write about the importance of families coming to the ‘family table’ in most all my books, but, believe me, I understand that that doesn’t magically happen. Years ago, I wrote about a Thanksgiving where one of our family members would not eat meat, another only ate beef; one preferred vegetables only, while another couple refused to sit down at the family table. Instead, they hovered over their plates while standing at the bar. And, of course, there was the one child who opted for food which came out of windows in handy to-go boxes or bags. (He now loves to cook, but, dare I add, he’s dating a pescatarian?)
I’ve always loved to cook, but for a family who leaves me with little imagination in the kitchen. But recently I grabbed my husband and we dug into some of the recipes I write about. (Did I tell you has a passion for making fresh pasta?) This past week, I dug through my latest book, A September to Remember: Searching for Culinary Pleasures at the Italian Table. And we challenged ourselves with making fresh pasta-filled ‘tortellis’ with a marvelous concoction of roasted butternut squash, infused with plenty of spices, a splash of jam, sage leaves, and served them up on two separate occasions for family and friends. One dish, in particular, was served with a sage-butter sauce on the side of delicate slices of veal scallopine. (Unfortunately, no photos were involved in that devouring.)
But, last night, I served the same tortelli (having been flash frozen for convenience then cooked in boiling water for three minutes) with Mediterranean-spiced roasted pork chops. All were drizzled with a similar sage butter sauce. Getting hungry? Click here for the first of many recipes.
In addition to cooking up a holiday storm, I completed the second audio book of my Savoring the Olde Ways series. This means that not one, but two books are available to you as of November 30th online!
Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table - Books One and Two now available as audiobooks.
BOOK ONE - AVAILABLE AT THESE LOCATIONS ONLINE
Chirp Kobo, Walmart Everand (Scribd) NOOK Audiobooks Libro.FM Google Play Storytel Audiobooks.com hoopla Audible, Amazon
BOOK TWO - BEING RELEASED ON NOVEMBER 30TH, BUT IT IS ALREADY AVAILABLE AT THESE LOCATIONS ONLINE (more soon)