Monday, October 7, 2013

A Pink Pumpkin and A Fall Lunch

 

In an earlier post I said how my pink and cranberry parlor does not lend itself to Fall decorating with oranges, rusts and golds.

Well, this past weekend at the Public Market I found a pink pumpkin! Yup, I did not paint this pumpkin! I also picked up two white mini pumpkins.

Now a small corner of my parlor is Fallish!


 

Every Fall my Mom Jane and I celebrate her birthday with a special lunch. If the weather cooperates, a walk in the park surrounding Canandaigua Lake and maybe a game of Sequence, SkipO, or Rummikub. The plan for this year, her 75th, was to have it at her house because it was a rainy, dreary, dark day. Only the weather was dreary!
 
 
A sneak preview of the birthday lunch with recipes to follow. There is Taster's Choice Zucchini bread, the best zucchini bread and only one I make, Harvest Squash Soup and Hot Chicken Salad served in an acorn squash.
 
 
For The First Course.....
 
The soup is a recipe that Mom Jane gave me. It is a thick, hearty soup with fresh butternut squash and apples.....
 
                                                              
                                                                  Harvest Squash Soup
 
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 tablespoon cooking oil
4 cups mashed cooked butternut squash (about 1 large)
3 cups chicken broth ( I use the reduced fat kind)
2 cups unsweetened applesauce (homemade is best *)
1 1/2 cups milk
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
 
Saute onion in oil until tender. Add the rest of the ingredients. Simmer for 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.
 
Tip - all squash is not created equal! Some are sweeter than others. I added more cinnamon, nutmeg and a little sugar to my last batch because the squash was not as sweet.
 
* to make unsweetened applesauce just cut up 3-4 apples, add a little water and cook down by simmering on the stove. Mash apples and you have unsweetened applesauce!

The main entrée.....

 
This hot chicken salad served in half an acorn squash is from my most favorite cookbook, Applehood and Motherpie. There is not a bad recipe in the book and this is in the top ten!
 
           Hot Chicken Salad          
8 to 10 servings
 
4 to 5 pounds chicken (4 cups cooked and cubed)
4 cups chopped celery
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 cup grated onion
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cups mayonnaise
1/4 cup white cooking wine
1 cup sliced, blanched, toasted almonds
1 cup crushed cornflakes
1/2 grated parmesan or romano cheese
Acorn squash, enough for half per person

Bake chicken in 400 degree oven till done. Cut into cubes. Combine chicken with the next 8 ingredients. Allow to stand at least one hour.

(While the oven is hot, bake your acorn squash. Cut an acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Put in a casserole with a little water on the bottom, cover with foil and bake about an hour at 400 degrees).

Spoon the chicken mixture into buttered shallow glass 2 quart casserole. (Refrigerate here to bake later or continue).

Top with crushed cornflakes and cheese. Bake till heated through and lightly browned.
350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes


On the side....Taster's Choice Zucchini Bread

This recipe is from For Goodness Taste, the companion cookbook to Applehood and Motherpie. I posted about it last year and you can find the recipe here.

 
Mom Jane enjoyed the lunch and we always have a great time together. She beat me in SkipO though.....!
 
 


We always end our time with a silly picture with me trying to take our picture from the end of my arm!

 
Hope you had a great day whatever the weather was in your hometown!
 

20 comments :

  1. In my last house I had a berry red wall! I loved my fall garland (which I just used in my mantle post) because it had reddish leaves and touches that pulled it all together. You soup and squash look delicious!!

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  2. Looks like a fun day! Good food and good company. So nice that you and your mom have this tradition! Catherine

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  3. Looks like you had a good day, I also like to toss in some apple with my pumpkin soup.

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  4. Time spent with loved ones is the best, especially when good food is enjoyed with it. Thanks for sharing your recipes. I am pinning to use when the occasion calls for some good, warm "comfort" food.

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  5. that chicken and acorn squash look wonderful.. what a lovely thing to do . make a perfect luncheon like that!
    Anne!

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  6. LOVE your pink pumpkin! And what a sweet tradition with your mom! :)
    Susan

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  7. What a great bonding time with your Mom! Love the picture of you both. The recipes look delish!

    By the way, I made your Lemon Chicken! It was a hit! :)

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  8. You and your Mom both look so beautiful and happy! I love the wonderful recipes you've shared and would like to try some of them....they sound like Fall dishes! And your pink pumpkin is sweet. I love the little table you've put your pretties on, too. Happy Fall!

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  9. The pumpkin is a perfect match! The meal looks lovely, and a "selfie" tradition sounds like great fun!

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  10. The food looks so good. I have never heard of a hot chicken salad, and on squash. I need to try that recipe sometime.

    Looks like you both had a great time!

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  11. OMGoodness - the DNA is apparent. Lunch looks marvelous. And a pink ??? pumpkin, I'm impressed

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  12. Happy Birthday Mom Jane. Thank you AnnMarie for sharing a beautiful fall luncheon on Tuesday Trivia. That banana bread does look scrumptious. All of it sounds like a delicious fall birthday meal. Yum, pinning!
    Hugs,
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

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  13. Sounds like fun! I love the little pumpkins! Not so keen on most squash (it is just soooo...squashy!), but it looked pretty :-)

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  14. WOW, your food choices look wonderful. I love squash! And your little fall corner is lovely. I have a little lamp like yours and I love the warm feel it gives the space. Thanks for sharing with us for our Thursday Favorite Things Blog hop.
    Sew Crafty Angel

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  15. What a great post, and that chicken salad looks amazing! I just featured it at Pick of the Bunch. Thank you so much for sharing with us at A Bouquet of Talent. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. :)
    Hugs
    Kathy

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  16. The soup and salad look yummy. We're going to have to try those recipes.

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  17. Those recipes sound delicious..thanks for sharing them. It looks like you celebrated your mom's birthday in great style! :) And I love the pink and white pumpkins for your fall vignette. Yes, decorating with yellows, reds and oranges can be tricky! Happy Pink Saturday

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  18. what a lovely post! Love the unique pink pumpkin and owl and the reipes look wonderful!

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  19. Hi Ann Marie...the soup recipe looks so perfect for this time of year. Loved your pumpkin too!
    Happy Pink Saturday xo Tami

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  20. Hoping this week-end finds you filled with peace...alot of joy..and some coziness..

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