FALLing for your Kitchen - Simple Seasonal Updates for the Heart of the Home





The kitchen is the most utilized and meaningful room in a household. It is the hub for family tasks and used for food preparation, household management, and of course entertaining. It is indeed the heart of any home. No matter how many rooms you have dedicated for entertainment, everyone always ends up in the kitchen! With the kids back in school, a cool nip in the air, fall kicks off our major holiday season - in fact, we can celebrate right through the New Year. Now is a great time to get your kitchen “party readied,” and organized for easy maneuvering during the holiday rush, and of course-seasonally updated.

Need a Color Lift? - Pick a wall if daring - pick them all. Paint it a seasonal color - Ben Moore’s Toasted Pecan #1209, Burnt Sienna #1196, or Sherwin William’s Library Pewter SW0038, or Studio Blue-Green SW0047. It’s just paint, and is the easiest and cheapest change you can make.

• Counter Tops - Swap out a tired canister set with a new revision; there are loads to choose from (If you’re not a gourmet cook, store pens, notepads, and takeout menus inside.) They add needed color and design. Large platters on plate stands are good-looking in unused dark corners or grouped on walls. Extra-large clear glass canisters are conversation makers when layered with dried beans, nuts or black, yellow and white dried popcorn. A kitchen must is a sassy new set of dish towels, seasonal kitchen candles, and a hand soap/lotion set in scents of spiced apple, pumpkin or caramel.

• Tell a Story with your Floral - A whimsical floral whether store or home made adds a bit of seasonal flair to any table. Create a mini-container garden by abundantly grouping those adorable “mini” annuals and petite ivy. or a bountiful arrangement with fuax fall veggies, dried pods, leaves and vines.

• Looking Up - Upper cabinet tops or upper shelves seem always to pose a decorating challenge. For a quick and easy change, large seasonally inspired platters, framed art, and garden items such as gazing spheres, or obelisks fill spots fill tired spots.

• Smart Cook Organization - An easy way to organize, is to create stations within your kitchen. Love to bake? Set aside two cabinets and counter space solely used for baking (near the oven of course,) fill with baking essentials such as pans, small appliances, spices and other baking staples. Task clustering such as this will help you to stay on task during the busy holiday rush.

• Get your Party Started - Love to entertain, but don’t have a Butler’s Pantry? Convert your little used desk area into an entertainment station.
-Replace wood panels of upper cabinet with glass, adding lighting, and glass shelves - store glasses and decorative bottles.
-Line desk drawer with felt, and hold bar essentials and serving pieces.
-Add a tension rod with shirred fabric for extra storage to the knee hole space, or find the perfectly sized rolling cart.

• Space Game - Use a Lazy Susan cabinet for a “Party Pantry.” Store food products, Beverages, paper goods. and china that can be used to throw a soiree at moment’s notice. If you’re even luckier to have an unused closet. super size it and linens, vases, and decor all in one neat place.

No matter how large or small your kitchen, whether you’re a gourmet cook or take-out type, every kitchen needs a seasonal boost and should be readied for family, friends and favorite holiday celebrates in style.


Easy Gourmet November Recipes



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Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider Mimosas

Give your guest a very special introduction to your holiday celebration with these wonderful cocktails.

Sparkling wine or Champagne
1 table spoon flavored syrup (We used Pumpkin Spice.)
Splash of fresh Apple Cider
Sugared rimmed sparkling wine glasses


Directions for sugar rimmed glasses:
Reserve two saucers. Add ¼ cup of lemon juice to 1 saucer, and one with ½ cup of sugar. Feel free to vary your sugar choices. Try raw sugar for an interesting twist. Dip rim of glass in lemon juice followed by sugar. Let dry overnight before serving.

Quick Pasta Melody

Stock your pantry with a few staple ingredients, a quick visit to your local grocer - And you can whip up a gourmet meal in a flash.


Ingredients:
1 bag of gourmet dried pasta
1 9oz. jar of flavored sauce, salsa or topping (We used a Tuscan Artichoke Spread.)
1 Bundle of Asparagus ends removed.
1 Cup other fresh veggies of choice
1 Cup Deli Fresh Roasted Chicken cubed.
1 Tablespoon olive oil for sauté
Salt & Pepper to taste


Directions:
Cook pasta according to bags directions. As pasta is cooking, heat olive in sauté pan. Chop veggies into bit size pieces and sauté till soft. Add Chicken and heat. Drain pasta, and in a large bowl toss pasta, veggies, chicken and flavored sauce till coated - Plate onto a large serving platter or bowl. Feel free to top with grated cheese & fresh minced parsley.


Filo Crust Cherry Tart

This is such a treat, and can be served warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. The filo pastry makes the recipe unusual and will guarantee them coming back for seconds!


Ingredients:
2 Can Cherry Pie Filling
1 Package Filo Pastry Sheets
1 Stick of Butter Melted
Sugar


Directions:
Heat oven to 350. In a tart pan, coat bottom and sides with butter using a pastry brush. Open package of Filo pastry and place a damp towel over sheets to keep moist. Layer 4-6 layers of Filo pastry sheets, brushing each layer with butter forming a crust. Add 2 cans of filling, and then repeat sheet laying for crust top. Tuck ends over sealing the top crust. Brush will remainder of butter, and sprinkle top with sugar. Bake for 30 minutes until crust is golden brown. Let cool before serving.