Gobble Gobble...

Next to Christmas, Thanksgiving has to be one of my favorite holidays.  What's better than food and family?  It's the perfect time to reflect on gratitude and all of the blessings that I have and enjoy building relationships and having fun.  This year I am making two pies, pumpkin, of course, and apple.  Have I mentioned that I really dislike pumpkin pie.  Pretty weird don't you think?  I love pumpkin anything else...pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, even pumpkin soup, but give me a slice of pumpkin pie and I can't even make it through one bite.  So, here's a yummy apple pie recipe for all of those pumpkin pie haters out there, you know who you are!

French Apple Cream Pie

6 medium apples, peeled and sliced

1 tsp. orange peel

2/3 c. orange juice

4 T. butter

1/2 to 2/3 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

4 1/2 tsp. corn starch

4 1/2 tsp. water

2 T. lemon juice

1 pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/3 c. sugar

1 egg

1/2 c. chopped almond

1/2 c. flaked coconut

Bake a 10 inch pie shell; cool.  Slice apples 1/4 inch thick to make 4 c. apples.  Combine 2/3 c. orange juice, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.  Add apples and boil gently, uncovered, turning fruit carefully as it cooks.  When apples are translucent, about 10 minutes, and tender, blend corn starch with water and add to apple mixture.  Cook, stirring, until it boils and thickens.  Remove from heat; add lemon juice and stir gently.  Cool to room temperature or chill if making ahead.

In a small bowl, whip cream cheese until fluffy.  Gradually add sugar and beat.  Add orange peel and egg.  Beat a little more.  Turn cooled apple filling into pie shell.  Spoon whipped cream cheese mixture evenly over top.  Combine almonds and coconut and sprinkle over cream cheese mixture.  Bake in a 350 degree oven until lightly browned on top, 20 to 25 minutes.  Chill and serve. 

Unaccustomed Earth Book Review

Jhumpa Lahiri, an Indian novelist, is one of my favorite authors, her previous books include The Interpreter of Maladies, which is a collection of short stories, and The Namesake, which was recently made into a movie (the movie was OK, nothing like the book). What I love about reading her books is that I will continue to think about the book days, and even weeks, after I have finished reading the book. Her stories just stay with you. As well, I love the way she writes, it's what I call "delicious reading", where you savor the words.

Her latest book, Unaccustomed Earth, is another collection of short stories. At the beginning of the book she includes a quote from "The Custom-House" by Nathaniel Hawthorne:

Human nature will not flourish, any more than a potato, if it be planted and replanted, for too long a series of generations, in the same worn-out soil. My children have had other birthplaces, and, so far as their fortunes may be within my control, shall strike their roots into unaccustomed earth.

Unaccustomed Earth explores the relationships between sisters and brothers, husband and wife, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters and friends and lovers. Here's a brief description of the first short story: Ruma, a young mother in a new city, is visited by her father, who carefully tends the earth of her garden, where he and his grandson form a special bond. But he's harboring a secret from his daughter, a love affair he's keeping all to himself. When I read this story, it was so interesting to me how the author chose to conclude the story. I guess I could say that about all of the story conclusions in the book.

I am obviously a fan of Jhumpa Lahiri, and I think if you give one of her books a chance, you will be drawn in and well rewarded for your efforts.

Catching Up

Apparently I haven't been updating my blog as often as I should, as my sister reminded me of yesterday. Well, I've been a little blogged out lately so I thought maybe I would share a few snippets of things I've been up to lately.

• I went down to Arizona to stay with Ken and Kenna for Halloween. I've been down before on Halloween, and I always have a great time seeing my cousins and their families. I went shopping with Boni's mom and went a *little* crazy at the M.A.C. store and L'Occitane. Thanks Judy! It was so fun trick or treating with the kids ( it's always so different not having to bundle up in coats and scarves), and we had a big party with the whole family. I also got my fix of good Mexican food and In-N-Out Burger.
• My mom and I have season tickets to the opera and last month we saw Madame Butterfly. I think it was one of the best productions by Utah Opera in recent memory. Butterfly and Pinkerton were amazing.
• I took a cooking class at Les Madeleines Bakery in Salt Lake. Les Madeleines is one of my new favorite places so it was a special treat to go to a class taught by the owner, Romina Rasmussen. I learned all sorts of new ideas and tips.
• I voted!
• I am so excited to see Quantum of Solace and Twilight. I can't wait!
• On Saturday I ran the Gobbler Gallop 5K with my friends Jen and Amy. It was the first time that I have actually ran the entire 5K. My time was 35:40. Definitely room for improvement! In truth, running is not my favorite activity but it's a good challenge for me. Now my next goal is to do a 10K.
• Happy Birthday this month to Jessica, Bronsen, Dylan and Colin! Lot's of family birthdays!

I can't end a post without sharing a recipe. This time of year pomegranates start showing up at the stores. I love pomegranates, especially in salads and desserts. I got this jello recipe a few years ago and it is so yummy I had to share, and I think you'll like it. It's one of only a few recipes in my jello repertoire.

Pomegranate Salad

1 large pkg. raspberry jello

1 c. hot water

Stir to dissolve and add:

2 c. frozen strawberries or raspberries

2 pomegranates, seeded

2 c. diced apples

3 diced bananas

1 small can crushed pineapple, drained

Mix together and put half in a 9 x 13 dish and put in refrigerator to set. Leave other half on counter. Mix 1 cup sour cream, 4 oz. cream cheese, and 1 small container of Cool Whip. Mix together and spread over set jello, then add the other jello on top. Put back in refrigerator and let set.

Tips: On the frozen fruit I used Costco frozen mixed berries and I loved that combo. I also used a large can of crushed pineapple drained. Watch the jello because it sets up quickly. The mixture for the top layer also sets quickly on the counter. Sometimes I will pop it into the microwave for 15 seconds to loosen it up before spreading. How to seed pomegranates: Make a cut in the pomegranate and pull open submersed in a big bowl of cold water. Gently pull the seeds out under water. The seeds will sink and the rind will float to the top. The underwater method is great because you don't end up with seeds and juice all over yourself and your kitchen.