Five Squash Soup and Lime Caramel Corn

Five Squash Soup and Lime Caramel Corn is probably the most playful dish I have ever made, and that’s a compliment, to be clear. I have to say, that I am quite proud of this one from a design perspective; after years of enjoying meals made magic by chefs like Wylie Dufresne who really play with their food, I’m glad I finally stepped up and took a small stab at it. Five Squash Soup and Lime Caramel Corn was a fun dish not just for the cook, it was a joy to serve to guests at my Caribbean Thanksgiving because of its playful characteristics. One can’t help but smile when a bright orange bowl of steaming soup is before them and it’s covered in popcorn and coconut chips! But it’s not just style without the flavor to back it up. The coconut milk, curry and kaffir lime are much of the secret to creating a rather unexpected sort of squash soup. Five Squash Soup and Lime Caramel Corn has some serious zing and tang to it, which accents beautifully on top of a base of savory fennel, onion, and celery that you’d expect of a roasted squash soup. But the pièce … Continue reading

Piña Colada

I thought of a lot of names for this particular drink. Spring Break! Piña Coladas. Impeach the Groundhog Piña Coladas. Seriously, Winter! Piña Coladas. I bet you’re sensing a theme. I just came back from Clearwater Beach and spring was definitely on my mind. I wasn’t thrilled this morning when I awoke to big snowflakes and the need for my down coat. So what’s a lady to do? Turn up the heat and fire up the blender. This variation on the classic provides a rich and flavorful piña colada and offers up the opportunity to show off those homemade maraschino cherries. ¾ cup rum (I used Appleton estates reserve) ½ cup pineapple juice ¾ cup pineapple ½ cup coconut milk ¾ cup sweetened cream of coconut 3 + cups ice pineapple to garnish maraschino cherry to garnish makes 4 … Continue reading