Sunny winter citrus is just the perfect way to help brighten the season when it gets chilly and the skies turn grey. With cold weather, comes cold and flu season. What a wonderful coincidence, then, that clementines are in season at the same time!

Clementines happen to be an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps support your immune system. Did you also know that they act as an antihistamine? It’s true! Battle those stuffed-up sinuses with as many clementines as you can grab, peel and eat —which might be a lot, considering how small and easy to peel they are!

They make a perfect any-time snack, but can also be incorporated into a stuffing, blended into a breakfast smoothie, or for a quick and easy appetizer. Just combine diced clementines with tomatoes, kalamata olives, minced red onion and fresh basil to top my d’lish Cuties Bruschetta with Goat Cheese. Great for on-the-fly entertaining!

(Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios®)

Or how about jazzing up that holiday stuffing? Flavorful clementies are tossed in my Overnight Wild-Rice & Sourdough Stuffing— made with cooked wild rice, sourdough bread, toasted almonds, drained cranberries, mushrooms and fresh herbs.  Yum!

(Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios®)

So whether you’re whipping up a delicious snack or trying something new for the holiday table – pick up some clementines. They’re sure to brighten up any dish! -Kathy

Cuties Bruschetta with Goat Cheese
The flavors of mandarin, calamata olives and fresh basil and the creaminess of goat cheese all play off each other nicely in this easy entertaining appetizer.

Makes 20 pieces

1 artisanal baguette
extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
kosher salt as needed
————————-
4 Cuties clementinese
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup chopped vine-ripe tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 Tbsp. minced red onion
1 1/2 tsp. finely minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped pitted calamata olives
pinch of red pepper flakes
————————-
4 oz. chèvre-style fresh goat cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut baguette into 1/4-inch slices—you want about 20 nice-sized pieces. Lay out on a baking sheet. Lightly brush or drizzle bread with olive oil then sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Bake for about 5–7 minutes, or until toasty. Let crostini cool.

Meanwhile, peel Cuties and dice 1/4 to 1/3-inch. In a medium bowl, toss Cuties with 2 tablespoons olive oil, tomatoes, basil, onion, garlic, olives, and pepper flakes. Set aside.

To serve: Smear each piece of crostini with a heaping teaspoon of goat cheese. Place on a platter and immediately divide the Cuties mixture between the crostini (drain off any excess juice).

Note: Top crostini right before serving so they do not get soft.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Overnight Wild-Rice & Sourdough Stuffing
With big flavors and textures, this stuffing is great with game hens, turkey, chicken, holiday ham or pork chops.

Makes about 8 servings

6 cups water
2 tsp. kosher salt
3/4 cup wild rice
—————————-
6 Cuties clementines
4 cups 1/2-inch-cubed rustic sourdough bread
1/2 cup toasted, coarsely chopped almonds
6 Tbsp. salted butter
1 cup 1/4-inch-diced onion
1 cup 1/4-inch-diced celery
2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms
1 tsp. kosher salt (or more to taste)
1/4 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh sage
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs, beaten

In a large pot, bring water and salt to a boil. Stir in wild rice and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer rice, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until very tender. Drain and cool.

Meanwhile, peel the Cuties, cut in half crosswise, then break into half segments. Place in a large bowl with the bread and almonds, and set aside.

In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt butter, add the onion, celery, and mushrooms, and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 7–8 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat and add cranberries, broth and herbs.

Add mushroom mixture and cooled rice to bread mixture. Toss to mix evenly, then add the beaten egg and toss until bread is thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate overnight to let flavors develop.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with pan spray.

Re-toss stuffing, transfer to baking pan, and let sit for 30 minutes to come to room temperature while oven preheats. Bake in preheated oven for 35–45 minutes, or until cooked through.

Chef’s Note: When roasting a stuffed chicken or game hen, cook until internal temperature at the center of the stuffing is 165 degrees F.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

There’s no better time than right now to start enjoying some “winter warmers” – spirited drinks that warm you up during these cooler months. These are perfect after a day of shopping or zipping down the slopes…or just hanging out with friends and family.

What comes to mind? How about some hot toddies, spiced wines and spiked cocoas? Don’t forget about Irish coffees and hot buttered rums; yes please!

Instead of the traditional eggnog, try my silky oh-so-smooth Hot Buttered Egg Nog with Rum – or maybe even cognac! It combines two great holiday favorites in one drink.

I like to set out a Hot Buttered “DIY Drink Station”—some hot buttered mix, a kettle of water, a selection of rums, whisky and brandies. Stack up some mugs and have some fresh nutmeg for grating over the top. Great for holiday entertaining!

My Winter-Spiced White Wine is another fun drink to make, incorporating seasonal spices and fruits (and will make your home smell lovely!). This steamy white wine infusion is flavored with pears, apples, oranges, cloves, allspice and cinnamon and slightly sweetened with brown sugar.

So now that I’ve given you a few ideas – go on and enjoy the chilly weather and spice things up with some winter warmers. -Kathy

My Hot Buttered Egg Nog with Rum!
For more inspired sipping, check out www.LiquidKitchen.tv

Hot Buttered Egg Nog with Rum
Combining two holiday favorites! Add more or less to taste; rum and Spiced Eggnog Mix.

Makes 1 drink

3 – 4 Tbsp Buttered Eggnog Mix (recipe follows)
1 – 1 1/2 oz Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
4 – 5 oz boiling water
Garnish: fresh grated nutmeg, long piece of orange or Clementine

Place Eggnog Buttered Brandy Mix and rum in coffee glass or mug. Stir in boiling water until batter is dissolved. Grate fresh nutmeg over the top. Garnish with orange zest.

Buttered Eggnog Mix
Makes about 7 cups (about 30 – 36 servings)

1/2 pound salted butter (2 sticks), softened
1 Tbsp. finely minced orange zest
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1 pint very high-quality vanilla ice cream
1 cup high-quality eggnog
1 Tbsp. real vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon rum extract

Be sure butter is softened. With an electric mixer; cream butter, orange zest and sugars together in a mixing bowl until totally smooth. Add remaining ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined. Store refrigerated for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 1 month.

Recipe by Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen™

Winter Spiced White Wine
This recipe can easily be pre-made and made into large batches before parties. Just make sure to gently keep the mixture warm in a crock pot on low heat or in a deep, pretty chaffing dish. For a kid friendly version, replace the white wine with apple cider and omit the brown sugar and liqueur.

Makes 7 cups, or about 8 servings

2 (750 ml) bottles light, dry white wine, such as chenin blanc
1 pear, cut crosswise in 1/4-inch slices
1 apple, cut crosswise in 1/4-inch slices
1 orange, poked with 12 whole cloves, then cut in 1/4-inch slices
5 allspice berries
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
4 ounces (1/2 cup) Grand Marnier
Orange peel twists for garnish

Place all the ingredients in a stainless steel or flameproof glass pan and stir well to incorporate the brown sugar. Place over low heat and warm. Do not boil! Let the flavors steep for at least 30 minutes before serving.

At this point you can keep warm and serve, or chill it for later. To reheat, warm each portion in a microwave until just hot but not boiling. Garnish each serving with a twist of orange peel.

Recipe from Dishing with Kathy Casey.

I love winter squash! I love its texture, sweetness, and most of all its versatility. It’s great in soups, stuffed in ravioli or made into a tart! You don’t just have to roast it in the oven with brown sugar – although how d’lish does that sound?

And it’s not just all about the beloved butternut or Danish squash, either. There are tons of different varieties of squash to choose from: gold nugget, turbans, Hubbards and sweet dumplings… and each one varies in colors, flavors, and textures.

These are beautiful squash that was at the Farmers Market on Magnolia

Take for example spaghetti squash.  Its name comes from their near spaghetti-like flesh! Just cut it in half place cut side on a baking dish with a little water and bake till tender. Once cooked, fork out its spaghetti-like flesh then serve it up with a delicious red sauce. Presto! You’ve got a tasty gluten-free veggie dinnertime hit!

Jack Be Little squash, the tiniest member of the squash line up, are excellent roasted whole (seeds scooped out first) then rubbed with olive oil and seasonings and baked till tender. With these little guys you can even eat the tender skin. I like to roast them and then serve filled with other fall veggies such as sautéed brussel sprouts with bacon and a little maple syrup. Yum!

One of my favorite squash creations for fall entertaining is Spiced Butternut Squash Hummus. Now that’s a fun new idea. Serve with pita chips, crostini or fresh veggies for dipping. It is also a great spread for a turkey sandwich!

I’ll leave you with one more tip. If you happen upon a giant squash and have no idea how to get into it, place it in a garbage bag and then sling it the ground as hard as you can–voila your squash is cracked open now!  -Kathy

Spiced Butternut Squash Hummus
Makes about 3 1/2 – 4 cups

1 small butternut squash, about 2 1/2 pounds
3/4 cup drained cooked or canned garbanzo beans
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste)
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)
Garnishes: olive oil for drizzling, chopped parsley or cilantro, and pomegranate seeds

Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F.

Cut squash in half and remove seeds. Cut squash into 8 wedges. Brush with olive oil and roast on a pan-sprayed baking sheet, uncovered, for 1 1/2 hours or until very tender. The squash should brown a little. Let cool. Scrape out the cooked squash meat with a large metal spoon; discard the skins. You should have about 3 cups cooked squash meat. (You can prepare up to this point 2 days in advance and keep refrigerated.)

In a food processor, process the garbanzo beans until coarsely chopped (about 1 minute). Then add the roasted squash and remaining ingredients, and process until smooth.

Serve drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with parsley and garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds if desired.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Fantastic interview and article in Wanderlust & Lipstick! Seattle summers are gorgeous when the warm sun is out and with friends all around… with great foods and drinks! Check out my Seattle summer hot spots and my recipes for Summer Sangria, Veggie & Grilled Pita Greek Salad, and Grilled Alaskan Salmon with Garlic & Herbs

They say that summer in Seattle arrives on July 5—leaving us waiting and waiting until the Fourth of July holiday, and then treating us to its lovely sunny days for at least a couple of months. This year I’m not so sure that it’s actually officially arrived. Sure, we’ve had sunshine and some pleasant temperatures, but we’ve also had our share of overcast skies and thunderstorms. Still, however, it’s worth being ready to take advantage of sunny days each and every time they come.

To continue reading and for the recipes, click here.

When the weather gets chilly and the sky turns grey, sunny winter citrus can be just the thing to help brighten the season!

With cold weather, comes cold and flu season. What a wonderful coincidence, then, that oranges are in season at the same time! They happen to be an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps support your immune system. Did you also know that they act as an antihistamine? It’s true! Battle those stuffed-up sinuses with as many oranges, clementines and mandarins as you can grab, peel and eat!

I love Cuties! They are sweet, easy to peel and seedless. And have you seen those cute commercials this year on TV? Cuties is also running some super fun contests – check them out at http://cutieskids.com/contests/.

Add orange zest to your biscuit or shortcake recipe and then layer in slices for a citrusy shortcake. A smear of lemon curd would be tasty to add too!

Peeled and segmented mandarins, clementines and oranges make a perfect any-time snack, but they’re more versatile than that. Cooked into hot dishes, blended up in a breakfast smoothie, layered in sweet shortcake or incorporated into a salad dressing, citrus brings a deliciously tart sweetness to the table!

My Clementine Salad with Fennel, Feta and Honey Citrus Dressing

In my Clementine Salad with Fennel, Feta and Honey Citrus Dressing, clementines are sliced into the salad and blended whole into the zesty dressing. Perfect for healthy eating!

For a quick and easy appetizer, combine diced clementines with tomatoes, calamata olives, minced red onion and fresh basil to top my d’lish Cuties Bruschetta with Goat Cheese. Great for on-the-fly entertaining!

And check out my Candied Clementines – a 14-day process I learned in Italy years ago! They are amazing to serve with cheese, cut up on ice cream or pound cake or just nibbled on!

So peel up some winter citrus and say hello to some sunshine! -Kathy

Cuties Salad with Fennel, Feta and Honey Citrus Dressing
This salad is great as a starter, or as an entrée topped with grilled chicken or shrimp. When in season, a scattering of pomegranate seeds is a festive addition.

Makes 4 entrée servings or 6–8 starter servings

1 large or 2 small fennel bulbs, trimmed
6 Cuties Clementines
6 cups spring mixed greens (about 5 oz.)
Honey Citrus Dressing (recipe follows)
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Finely shave fennel with a sharp knife or mandolin, and keep crisp in ice water for 10 minutes. Spin dry before using. Peel and cut Cuties Clementines, trim away all white pith, then cut fruit into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Set fruit aside.

Toss greens and fennel with 1/2 cup of dressing to coat nicely. Serve salad on a large platter or divide among individual plates. Top with sliced Cuties and sprinkle with feta. Drizzle with a little extra dressing if desired.

Honey Citrus Dressing
Makes 2 cups

2 Cuties Clementines, peeled and segmented
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 Tbsps minced shallots
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 Tbsps honey, like my Liquid Kitchen™ “5130” Honey
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a blender (I love my Vitamix!) and blend until smooth. Keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Cuties Bruschetta with Goat Cheese
The flavors of mandarin, calamata olives and fresh basil with the creaminess of goat cheese all play off each other nicely in this easy entertaining appetizer.

Makes 20 pieces

1 artisanal baguette
Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
Kosher salt, as needed
————————-
4 Cuties Clementines
2 Tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup chopped vine-ripe tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 Tbsps minced red onion
1 1/2 tsp finely minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped pitted calamata olives
Pinch of red pepper flakes
————————-
4 oz chèvre-style fresh goat cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut baguette into 1/4-inch slices — you want about 20 nice-sized pieces. Lay out on a baking sheet. Lightly brush or drizzle bread with olive oil then sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Bake for about 5–7 minutes, or until toasty. Let crostini cool.

Meanwhile, peel Cuties and dice 1/4 to 1/3-inch. In a medium bowl, toss Cuties with 2 tablespoons olive oil, tomatoes, basil, onion, garlic, olives, and pepper flakes. Set aside.

To serve: Smear each piece of crostini with a heaping teaspoon of goat cheese. Place on a platter and immediately divide the Cuties mixture between the crostini (drain off any excess juice).

Note: Top crostini right before serving so they do not get soft.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Looking for a quick and easy holiday sip and app for
your next party?

Well, a punch is the perfect solution. You can make them in advance (like my Purity Punch) and then just serve up over ice or let guests help themselves. (Make sure you have a nice punch bowl to serve it in like this one!) Serve with Warm Almond Crusted Brie Crostini with Apple Chutney (as seen to the right alongside my Purity Punch; Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios^® – Liquid Kitchen^™) makes for a perfect pairing. Happy Holidays! – Kathy

For the recipes, continue reading on Amazon’s Al Dente Blog.

If you’re looking for other great tips, techniques and advice as well as recipes for a fantastic Thanksgiving Day feast, check out the annual Seattle Times’ holiday guide written by Nancy Leson. This guide along with the recipes features a lot of tips and tricks from Seattle chefs and restauranteurs (including myself!), with all sorts of appetizers, entrees, sides and even desserts! Check it out for a d’lish read and try out some of the recipes yourself; you’ll have your guests asking for more in no time!

Bartlett, Bosc, Seckel, Anjou… we are so lucky here in the Northwest to have so many varieties of sumptuous pears right at hand – the West Coast produces around 95% of the nation’s commercially grown fresh pears! Pears are one of the few fruits that do not mature well if ripened on the tree. They are picked before they are ripe, then packed carefully, stored and shipped, usually still unripened.

Speaking of – it’s easy to ripen a pear. Place them in a paper bag and leave out at room temperature. When the pear yields to gentle pressure near the base of the stem, it is ready to eat. Refrigerate till needed, and for best flavor bring back to room temperature before eating.

October, November and December are when the widest variety of pears are available. Wanna taste them all?  Hold a pear tasting! Pair them up (no pun intended!) with some great wines, cheeses, and a loaf of French bread and make an evening of it. Pears are the perfect partner to wine and cheese.

My favorite pear preparation? I like to cut them into thick wedges and toss with a little olive oil, balsamic and seasoning then toss on a sheet pan and roast in a hot oven till tender and roasted. Great served with roast chicken or as Roasted Pear Crostini with Gorgonzola for an easy app!

Oh, and don’t forget about drinks: try infusing a bottle of your favorite vodka with slices of fresh pear – just let sit for 2 days then strain! Delicious in cocktails or the perfect holiday gift!

So pick up some pears and get creative with these wonderful, versatile fruits! – Kathy

Roasted Pear Crostini with Gorgonzola
These are extra-delicious topped with chopped toasted nuts, such as hazelnuts or walnuts. Balsamic glaze can be purchased at gourmet and well-stocked grocery stores.

Makes 24

Pears
2 firm red Bartlett or other red-skinned pears
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp minced fresh thyme

24 pieces Herbed Crostini (recipe follows)
1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled gorgonzola cheese or thinly sliced cambozola
2 Tbsps balsamic glaze

For garnishing
Tiny sprigs of fresh thyme

Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F.

To roast the pears: Quarter the pears lengthwise, then core. Cut each quarter lengthwise into 6 slices (you should have 24 slices, total). In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, salt, and thyme. Add the pears and toss to coat.

Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Lay out the pears, not touching, on the baking sheet. Roast for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden and starting to caramelize on the edges. Pears can be cooled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 3 days before serving.

When ready to serve, lay out the crostini on a baking sheet and top each piece with about 1 heaping teaspoon of gorgonzola or a slice of Cambozola,  then a slice of pear. Bake until just warmed, about 4 minutes.

Drizzle each piece with about 1/4 teaspoon balsamic glaze, then garnish with thyme.

Herbed Crostini
Crostini are the must-have party basic. Use as a base for assorted toppers, such as creamy cheeses, tapenade, or spreads.

Makes 32 to 40 pieces

1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp dried basil leaves
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tsp minced fresh garlic
1 long, skinny French baguette, cut into 1/4-inch diagonal slices
Kosher salt for sprinkling

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small bowl, mix the oil, dried herbs, cayenne, and garlic. Lightly brush the baguette slices with the herb oil or, in a large bowl, drizzle the bread with the oil and toss well. Lay out the bread in a single layer on baking sheets, sprinkle with salt, and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, until just crispy.

Crostini can be made in advance, cooled thoroughly, and stored in airtight containers for up to 3 days. If necessary, recrisp them in a hot oven for a couple of minutes.

Recipe from Kathy Casey Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books