Egg in a Nest

Or Toad in a Hole, or Egg in a Basket, or Bull's Eye Eggs, or whatever you might want to call it. But this is a smash hit with the kids (and the grown-ups, too):

Don't forget to grill up the little buttered cut out! I admit to eating those as I am cooking. Don't tell the kids. They don't know that's part of the fun, yet. Also, in my college days when I didn't have cookie cutters, I used a glass to cut a circle (ok, up until a month ago I was still using a glass)...

What's for lunch today?

Apple and Cheese Panini on cracked wheat bread, with honey mustard.  

What are you having for lunch?

Rustic Tart with Acorn Squash and Chorizo Sausage

This tart is actually quite simple, requiring few ingredients and enjoying the fall harvest of squash. If you are afraid of peeling an Acorn Squash, don't be; it's so simple. All you need is a good knife, and a sense of adventure!

Acorn Squash and Chorizo Tart

1 sheet Puff Pastry
1 Acorn squash
1/2 lb Chorizo sausage (or mild Italian if you don't like spicy)
1 clove of garlic
1 sweet onion
3 T olive oil
1 C shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 egg yolk, mixed with 1 T water

Allow pastry to defrost at room temperature for 40 minutes. Roll into a 14" circle, trimming and shaping dough where needed. After dough is in desired shape, return to the refrigerator.

To peel the Acorn squash, start by trimming both ends. Then, sit the squash on one end, and carefully slice the green parts away in a downward motion, until all the green parts are gone. Slice the squash in two, and scoop out the seeds in the middle. Cut the squash into small cubes, place on a roasting pan, and drizzle with olive oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Roast squash at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until deep orange and tender.

In a large pan, saute onion in olive oil until deep golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add minced garlic, and cook for only a minute. Transfer onion mixture into a dish. In the same pan, saute the sausage for a few minutes, until mostly done.

Bring your pastry out of the fridge. Leaving a 2" border, layer the onions and garlic, roasted Acorn squash, and cooked Chorizo. Top with the shredded Monterey cheese. Fold the pastry border over the filling, and brush with egg yolk mixture. Place on top of parchment paper to save clean up time, and roast in the oven for 30 minutes (still at the same 400 degrees).

Allow to cool 5-10 minutes before serving.


I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.
-  Nathaniel Hawthorne

Lemon Linguini

This pasta dish has the comfort factor of Fettucini Alfredo, with a fresh twist added by the lemon and parsley. It is quick and easy, great with garlic bread and a simple salad, and maybe some chocolate mousse for dessert. Sparkling raspberry water would be a complimentary drink—or whatever you like!

Lemon Linguini
1 Package fresh angel hair pasta
1 Wedge parmesan cheese
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
3/4 C Whipping cream
Salt to taste
3 Egg yolks
Fresh parsley, for garnish

Cook pasta according to directions on package. In a saucepan, mix together lemon juice, lemon zest, cheese, whipping cream, and egg yolks. Cook over very low heat until slightly thickened. Add salt to taste, and white pepper if desired. Add pasta to pan, stirring to coat.
Garnish with fresh parsley.

Garlic Bread with Smoked Paprika
Your favorite rustic bread (Rosemary, Sour Dough, French, etc.)
1 Cube butter
1/2 C shaved parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon
2 Cloves fresh garlic, minced

Rub the spices, cheese, garlic and butter mixture on thick slices of crusty bread. Broil in the oven, or the convection oven, until toasty and brown. Serve! 

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins