Jessica's Dinner Party

Archive for November, 2009

Pumpkin Cheesecake Crumble Pie

I’m doing another retake. First it was the potatoes, gratin to mashed, and now it’s the pumpkin, from caramel pie to cheesecake. It’s repetitive, I know. I also admit, for a toddler blog, I have quite a few pumpkin recipes (here, here, here, and here). But, what can I say I’m a raging pumpkin-a-holic.

I’m working on cutting back. After all, this isn’t “Jessica’s Pumpkin Party” (although, it has a nice alliteration ring to it!). In the meantime, before I decide to lay low on the orange stuff I have to tell you about this amazing pumpkin cheesecake crumble. The taste and texture is similar to a New York style cheesecake, but immersed in pumpkin goodness. The original recipe was for making cheesecake squares with sour cream topping. I simplified mine and made it into a pie, left the sour cream out, and served it with crumbles of the leftover crust. The crumble tastes like evil granola: full of nutty, whole grain flavors that mask the fatty, buttery, white flour reality.

November 25 2009 | dessert and pies and tarts | 4 Comments »

Rustic Mashed Potatoes

I thought and thought about it, but Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes would feel off. Sort of like going to the movies and getting popcorn but no candy. I was really irked by the fact that my potatoes never came out silky smooth. I don’t own a potato masher and until I came to Korea the food processor I had was teeny tiny. However, I realized that if you put the word “rustic” in front of mashed potatoes it’s absolutely acceptable to have chunks and irregularities in your mash. People expect it; it’s practically a rule; you have to have lumps.

November 24 2009 | side dish and thoughts and vegetarian | 4 Comments »

Roasted Pumpkin and Potatoes with Sausage

If one of your dishes suddenly goes up in smokes or an unexpected (or uninvited) guest decides to show up, this side will save the day! It’s super easy, flexible, and the ingredients will already be on hand. Without a clue as to what I was going to cook today, I went into this dish blind. BLIND I say! No flipping through cookbooks or browsing through recipes. I simply thought about what I had and went for it! I’m like my own parent, watching my inner chef grow! My, how far I’ve come. Two years ago, I probably couldn’t tell you exactly what roasting was. Oh yea, that was me.

November 23 2009 | side dish | 4 Comments »

Caramel Pumpkin Pie Tart

Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie is like Christmas without cookies. I look forward to eating it every year but am always disappointed by what I make. I didn’t grow up eating pumpkin pie, so I distinctly remember the first time I had it. I fell in love with the creamy texture and buttery, shortbread crust. The pumpkin flavors were strong enough with just the right amount of sweetness.

November 22 2009 | dessert and pies and tarts | 4 Comments »

Easiest Potato Gratin

A few years ago, my aunt taught me an easy potato gratin recipe that sort of stuck with me. I made it for a Valentine’s Day potluck my senior year of high school. It was an interesting occasion because we were actually celebrating a belated Secret Santa gift exchange in February. Somehow with college applications, school, and all the crazy things we did in high school, Christmas was pushed back two months. There were an array of dishes that appeared at the potluck. Everything from caramel apples and macaroni and cheese to Popeye’s fried chicken. I don’t really remember the food or if the gratin was a hit, but I do remember the company I was with, being ridiculously full, and the fun moments and gifts we shared that day. I feel like that’s the essence of Thanksgiving; sharing a meal with people we love and enjoying all the laughs that spill in between. Life seems to get so busy that it seems like we need occasions like Thanksgiving or Valentine’s/Christmas just to spend time with family and friends.