butternut squash curry with cashews

In an attempt to use the myriad of squashes we've accumulated from our CSA, I made this curried squash (for myself only: Matt wouldn't touch the stuff). It was not nearly spicy enough for me, perhaps because I used whatever mild curry paste I had in the fridge. However, it did turn out quite well when I added a generous forkful of Asian chili garlic paste. Very rich and filling for chilly evenings.

By the way, our CSA has come to an end for this year, bringing with it feelings of sadness but also of relief. The task of keeping up with the produce was a bit daunting. Will I be ready to dive in again next June? Most likely, yes.

The Waldorf: turkey burger with arugula, dried cherries, blue cheese, walnuts, and Dijon mustard
orzo with mustard greens, lemon, and parmesan

Here's another selection from the Cheese & Burger Society website. I recommend you listen to the humorous voiceovers that accompany the burger pictures and descriptions. The only alteration to the recipe was to use a turkey patty instead of beef. The flavors worked very well with the milder meat, though I'm sure beef would be fine as well.

highly recommended

We had brunch at Marigold Kitchen (right off the Capitol square in Madison) for a second time a couple weekends ago, and it was just as good as we had remembered. It tends to be extremely busy, so you may end up waiting 30-60 minutes for a table. Stick it out. It's worth it. Also, the congestion may be cleared up a bit due to the restaurant now serving brunch on Sundays in addition to Saturdays.

mine: breakfast sandwich with fried egg, cheddar-spiked boursin cheese, bacon, tomato, and scallions on ciabatta

Matt's: duck confit hash with eggs over medium and a side salad

Both of our entrees were delightful. My sandwich is something we had ordered before and would order again. However, you would have to be in the mood for something quite rich when ordering the hash. Nevertheless, it was delicious. My parents and I had also previously ordered omelets there, which were very nice as well.

Let me forewarn you: the process of ordering can be tricky on your first visit. I appreciated advice that I received in an online review, so I will pass it along to you. Be sure to get in line to order your food first--apparently people get a little testy if you grab a table first. Once you've ordered, they'll give you a number, then call your number to seat you when a table is clear. The place actually has a pleasantly cozy and bustling atmosphere once you've been seated. Give it a try!

simple fall meal

It seems as if I'll only have two posts this month. Both my teaching and my graduate class have kept me extremely busy as of late. There are days when I don't even get my email checked. But I will make an effort to post more often in the coming month.

Goat Cheese Pizzas with Indian-Spiced Tomatoes and Mustard Greens

Anyway, I recently made these pizzas for our dinner. The Indian-style seasonings were quite subdued (explaining why Matt would actually eat something with the descriptor "Indian" proceeding its name). The sauce was flavorful and hearty and the goat cheese the perfect creamy complement. Think of a play on your traditional margherita-style pizza. Most importantly, it was a creative way to use up the mustard greens from our CSA box (only one more week left--sad!).

The one change that I made to this recipe was to use a store-bought pita instead of making my own flatbreads. If you are willing to make take on the task of making flatbread, you have my respect! I recommend brushing the bottom of the pita with a bit of olive oil before topping and baking it. This gives the crust a nice crisp. Enjoy with a salad!

vegetarians beware

www.cheeseandburger.com

"The Roadhouse": burger patty with gruyere, onion ring, sauteed onion, bacon, and garlic mayonnaise