This "n That Thursdays: A Preview of Two Picks of the Year for 2024

Tamarind tree and pods (from Green Paradise)

McCormick and Pantone have just announced their 2024 picks of the year, and they are, to me at least, not what one would have expected, so let's take a look!  McCormick's choice for their 2024 Flavor of the Year is tamarind, which comes from the sweet and tangy pulp in the fruit pod of a tropical leguminous tree (Tamarindus indica).  While you may not be familiar with the fruit itself, if you have ever used Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce you have used tamarind, as tamarind extract is one of the flavorings in the sauce.

McCormick has created a Mexican-inspired Tamarind and Pasilla Chile Seasoning blend with a "sour, savory flavor & mild heat" which will be available for a limited time so that you can try this unique flavor in your own cooking.  I am intrigued enough to consider trying this blend myself.

For their 2024 Color of the Year, Pantone has chosen a shade they call Peach Fuzz, a color which they claim "captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others."  This warm pastel hue, "softly nestled between pink and orange" and "a clean peach tone with a vintage vibe", supposedly evokes both coziness and elegance.  Thanks to all of the current turmoil in the world, the folks at Pantone felt that we needed a warm and gentle color to soothe our anxiety yet still please our sense of style.  While I am not a big fan of pastels, even I have to admit that this peachy shade is indeed a gentle and relaxing color - not one that I personally would want to live with, but I would not mind being in surroundings that include this hue.

So what do you think of these two picks for 2024?  Will you be looking to purchase items that include either one?  If so, enjoy! 🍑🍲😊

Foodie Fridays: Microwave Winter Squash

From this ...

I recently discovered the quickest and easiest way to prepare winter squash purée, and I just had to share it!  I have tried growing butternut squash in my garden here in New Mexico but they do not do well - I would only get a couple of squashes and they were always tiny.  This summer I tried a different variety called buttercup squash and and had a bit more success.  I ended up with seven full-sized squashes - they are similar in size to an acorn squash but shaped differently (see above).

Now that I had my winter squash, I wanted to find the best way to cook them for purée.  At first I thought I would roast them, so I looked up a recipe for roasting, which recommended piercing the squash with a fork and microwaving it first because this would soften the squash enough to cut it in half for roasting.  I did this and discovered that one of the squashes actually cooked through completely in the microwave, so I quickly looked for a method for just cooking winter squash in the microwave.  It turns out that microwaving winter squash is the quickest and easiest way to cook them, and from now on I will always cook them this way!

Use this method if you are looking to make unseasoned winter squash purée, which is what I needed (use this purée in any recipe that calls for canned pumpkin, such as soups and baked goods).  Sometimes at my age I feel like I have pretty much seen everything, so I love it when I learn something new and prove myself wrong! 😄

... to this!

Microwave Winter Squash

1 winter squash (butternut, buttercup, acorn, etc.)

Wash the squash and pierce several times with a fork.  Put on a plate and microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes.  Remove from the microwave and cut in half.  Remove the seeds and strings.

If the squash flesh is soft, scrape it out of the shell.  If the flesh is still hard, place the halves back on the plate, cut side down, and pour 1-2 T. water on the plate.  Microwave on HIGH 5 more minutes.  The squash should soften, but if it is still hard microwave a few minutes longer until soft enough to scoop out of the shell.  Amount of purée will vary depending upon the size of the squash.

Note: If using smaller squashes, you can microwave two at once.

This 'n That Thursdays: The Best Cozy Comfort Foods from Trader Joe's

Santa Fe Trader Joe's

Even though there is a Trader Joe's in Santa Fe, I rarely get there because it is inconveniently located from where we live.  However, my husband went in for knee surgery recently and the hospital is very close to the Trader Joe's, so I stopped by there on my way home after dropping him off and checked out what they had to offer.  I found some absolutely delicious items that I just had to share, so here I am joining the many bloggers who love to recommend their favorite Trader Joe's selections!

Image from Eat This, Not That!

First up is Trader Joe's Harvest Chili.  Fall and winter are the best times for eating chili, and if I am not making my own then I want to eat this vegan version.  No need for toppings when you eat this delicious concoction, although I do recommend a good-sized piece of firm cornbread to mop up anything that may remain in the bottom of the bowl!  (I also tried the White Bean Chicken Chili Soup and it was okay, but the Harvest Chili remains my favorite by far.)

Mini Spicy Pumpkin Samosas are new to me, but now that I've tried them I find myself craving more.  I suggest serving them with Trader Joe's Chimichurri Sauce, which is cilantro-based but tastes nothing like cilantro - it is the perfect complement to the slight spiciness of the samosas.  I also tried their refrigerated Chicken Tikka Masala, which I found to be better than most prepackaged versions out there, so if you want to go full-on Indian for a meal serve the samosas as an appetizer and the tikka masala as the main dish, perhaps with a simple Indian kachumber salad and some naan bread on the side (I prefer garlic naan myself).

Image from Reddit

I am in love with the French Onion Focaccia Bread with Caramelized Onions & Cheeses available from Trader Joe's.  Serve this tasty bread warm with soup or salad, and use it to clean up the bowl.  No need for butter or olive oil unless you feel the need, as this focaccia bread is moist and flavorful enough on its own.

My love for caramelized onions is once again more than satisfied with the Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart, which is a perfect meal choice at any time of the day.  Oh my goodness this tart is tasty!  I served it at lunch with a pear, walnut, and blue cheese salad for all the fall vibes, and it really hit the spot.

We had our first real snowfall this past Saturday, and the temperatures are definitely starting to feel like late autumn.  For me, this is the perfect time for cozy comfort foods, and I highly recommend any of these options from Trader Joe's.  It's time to enjoy cozy season! ☕️🍩🍁🌰🍄🍂🍪🍵

Wish List Wednesdays: Recent Purchases for Autumn

Image from Mercari

After returning home from a train trip back east for two weeks to visit family for Labor Day, I am so ready to welcome autumn.  We had a particularly hot and dry summer this year, but have finally gotten some rain and cooler temperatures with the onset of fall, and I could not be happier.  Since we are still unpacking boxes after moving all of our numerous belongings from Georgia to New Mexico, I rarely give myself permission to shop for anything other than essentials.  However, I decided that I would indulge just this once to celebrate my favorite season, so let's take a look at what I found.

At the top of the page is an image of the Peanuts Autumn Is Calling mug that I found at TJMaxx for only $6.99.  I love Snoopy, of course, but also the colorful leaves on the exterior and the orange handle and interior.  Best of all, there is even an image of a fall leaf at the bottom of the interior!

Image from Poshmark

I also found this DW Home Log Campfire candle at TJMaxx for $12.99:

While I am not crazy about the scent (it is okay but not my favorite), I could not resist the cute embroidered top with an autumnal mushroom design.  Luckily this top fits on other candles I already own with scents that I really enjoy, so I can easily reuse it.

I really did not need new kitchen towels, but I could not pass up the cute autumn dogs pattern on this Casaba Home Kitchen Towel Set (2 patterned towels and one orange towel) for just $9.99, also from TJMaxx.

I am hoping that purchasing these towels with give me the push I need to sort through my kitchen towels and finally get rid of some of the older ones that have been kept around for far too long!

My last autumnal TJMaxx find was a couple of packages of Simply Wize Gluten Free Pumpkin Gnocchi for just $3.99 each.  While I am not on a gluten-free diet, I do like pumpkin gnocchi, which I have actually made from scratch before, so I am looking forward to trying these, perhaps with a simple garlic and sage butter sauce.  This is apparently an Australian brand, so I was lucky to find it for such a reasonable price in the United States.  Luckily food purchases are only temporary additions to our home, so I don't need to feel guilty about bringing them into the house. 😊

I found the Republic of Tea Pumpkin Spice Black Tea Bags for $7.99 at our local Sprouts Farmers Market.  Of the various pumpkin spice-flavored teas I have tried, this version is the one I prefer.

My next purchase was quite the splurge, but I really wanted to try the Fall Tamales from Williams Sonoma ($99.95 for a dozen tamales).  The pumpkin mole flavor sounds delicious and I can't wait to try these with the surprisingly tasty Roasted Tomato and Chipotle Salsa Roja from Walmart.

Update: These tamales were okay but a bit dry and bland.  In my opinion they need the addition of cheese to reduce the dryness and some Hatch or other tasty chilies to add more kick.  I still have half of the order left, and plan to try them with a generous amount of cheesy enchilada dip to see if that enhances the flavor.

And speaking of Walmart, I also picked up a package of Oreo Pumpkin Spice Cookies there (available online for $4.58).  I do not usually buy packaged cookies, but I have never tried this flavor before and I do usually let myself try something new once, even if it is not the healthiest choice.  I hope I like them!

Update: Meh - I was not impressed.  These Oreos did not taste like either pumpkin or spice - all I could taste was sugar.  You would be better off getting the Halloween Oreos with the chocolate cookies and bright orange filling because at least then you can taste the chocolate.

I always seem to end up buying new sweaters every autumn, and this year is no exception.  I purchased two St. John's Bay Womens V Neck Pullover Sweaters from JCPenney (one in Rustic Brick and one in Deep Bronze, two very autumnal colors) for a very reasonable $16.49 each.  If you are looking for a good quality inexpensive lightweight mostly cotton sweater I highly recommend these (they also come with a crew neck but I prefer the V neck).

Okay, one last purchase I made for fall is the Galison Autumn in the Neighborhood 1,000 Piece Puzzle ($17.99 on Amazon).  I love 1,000 piece puzzles, and the little dog reminds me of our dog Madison, so I will truly enjoy working on this one!

As you can see, I really stocked up on seasonal goodies for fall this year.  I also added to my book collection in anticipation of more time for reading once gardening season is over and the weather turns chilly, so I have a future post planned with recommendations for spooky season reads.  Bring on the fall weather! 🍂🎃🍁

On the Homefront: My Strawberry Patch

Two years ago I added a 4-foot square raised bed to the small enclosed courtyard at the front of our house and decided to turn it into a strawberry patch.  I purchased nine strawberry plants, of a variety called Quinault which I had never heard of but decided to try anyway.  I had never had much luck growing strawberries in the past and was not even sure they would grow well in New Mexico, but I decided I had nothing to lose by trying - the pandemic had just started and I wanted to do some experimental gardening just to keep myself occupied.

Fast forward to the present day and to my surprise this small strawberry patch is flourishing!  The plants produced some fruit last year, but only enough for me to harvest a handful almost every day in the summer for a small snack.  However, each plant spread numerous runners which also grew quite well, so much so that I have had to pull excess plants out several times so that they don't overrun their raised bed as well as the surrounding area.  The plants overwinter well and come back vigorously in the spring.

This year my strawberry harvest was so abundant that I was able to gather about two pints of small but sweet berries recently.  I decided to macerate the berries in about two tablespoons of coconut sugar and then serve them as strawberry shortcake using a limoncello loaf cake I found on sale at Walmart.  The combination of sweet strawberries, slightly tart lemon cake, and a generous amount of whipped cream is my idea of the perfect dessert.  And since today is National Strawberry Parfait Day, I think I will layer these ingredients in a glass to make a parfait in celebration - what a great dessert for a summer day!  I am so glad I decided on a whim to start a strawberry patch, and look forward to years of harvesting my own sweet strawberries.

I added a generous topping of whipped cream after taking this photo because I wanted to showcase the berries.

On the Homefront: Two of Our Favorite Places to Visit in Santa Fe

If you ever get to visit downtown Santa Fe, the two places that my husband and I recommend are the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and the nearby restaurant Fiesta Oaxaca.  We have been fans of the museum since it first opened in 1997.  We got to visit the first week it opened, and it was then that I discovered my favorite artwork by O'Keeffe, her painting entitled "Rust Red Hills" (1930).  Exhibits change on a regular basis, and the artist's works from other museums as well as objects from her Abiquiu house are often displayed in addition to the museum's own collection.  We went to see the recent exhibit "Georgia O'Keeffe: Making a Life" and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I just adore the colorful interior! (from the restaurant website)

The restaurant patio open to the outdoors on a lovely warm day.

Just a short walk away from the museum is one of our favorite restaurants, Fiesta Oaxaca, which features moles, one of my husband's favorite foods.  He loves to order their Mole de Oaxaca, a chicken dish smothered in a dark mole sauce which is rich and deeply flavorful.  My favorites include their Enchiladas de Mole de Oaxaca and Chilpachole de Mariscos, a tasty seafood soup that is so satisfying on a cold day.  Be sure to order their mole tasting appetizer, which includes the five different moles they serve.  (I look forward to trying their mole de verde the next time we dine there!)  The restaurant has a wonderfully colorful interior as well as a patio that is completely enclosed and heated during the cold months but open to the outdoors when it warms up.

Across the street from both the restaurant and the museum is the Santa Fe County John Gaw Meem Historic Building,  designed by Santa Fe's most acclaimed architect and recently restored to its original glory.  It is worthwhile stopping by to visit the beautiful courtyard (shown above) and to admire the wonderful southwestern architecture.

"Homage to the Burro" by Charles Southard (1988)

From the restaurant it is an easy walk to the downtown plaza via historic Burro Alley, which is my favorite street of course (I described it previously here).  As you head to the plaza, be sure to stop by my husband's favorite place, Andrea Fisher Fine Pottery, which has an amazing collection of beautiful southwest Native American pottery, including the works of Maria Martinez.

Right now is a lovely time to visit Santa Fe, as we had a relatively wet spring and wildflowers are blooming everywhere.  The landscape is very green and the mild temperatures are so comfortable for exploring the city.  Oh, and one more activity you may enjoy while on the plaza is a visit to the rooftop bar at the famous La Fonda on the Plaza for a drink, appetizers, and a spectacular overview of the city and surrounding mountains.  The rooftop bar is only open during the warmer months, so if this appeals to you plan your trip accordingly!

Wish List Wednesdays: Tiny Pantry Cookbook by Isabel Paige

Last fall I posted a recipe for a dish called kitchari based on a recipe from a digital cookbook I purchased called Tiny Pantry by Isabel Paige.  Isabel Paige is a YouTube vlogger who makes the most fantastic vegan meals in a tiny house she built herself.  Recently she made her cookbook available as a hardcover book ($34.95; also includes a free digital copy), and I wasted no time in placing my pre-order (the book is published independently so copies must be pre-ordered).  The original e-book has been edited and updated, with new photos and ten new recipes added.  The updated version is also available as a digital download only ($14.95) if that is your preference, but as an ardent book lover I can't wait to get my hands on the hard copy!  It will take a few weeks for the book to arrive, but once it does I intend to make a few more of the tantalizing recipes.  I recommend watching the following episode from A Cookbook Collector vlog which shows a non-vegan making and trying out some of the recipes from the original e-book, just to get an idea of how user-friendly and tasty these recipes really are:

This 'n That Thursdays: Gingerbread Treats for Christmas

Image from Brand Eating

While pumpkin spice may be a favorite for many, I am much more a fan of gingerbread spice, mostly because I love the combination of lots of ginger with cinnamon.  I am always on the lookout for gingerbread-flavored treats for Christmas, and this year I found several.  I recently purchased the OREO Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies shown above online as I was unable to find any locally.  I have yet to try them, but how bad could an Oreo cookie be, especially one flavored with my favorite spices?

Image from Hersheyland

I did manage to find a bag of KITKAT Gingerbread Cookie Miniatures Candy Bars a couple of weeks ago, and I am glad I got them when I did because they are all gone now!  The gingerbread flavor is subtle and they are a bit too sweet, but I liked them well enough for the holiday season that I would buy them again for Christmas next year.

Image from Amazon

I think my favorite gingerbread-flavored find this year is Twinings Gingerbread Joy, a black tea perfectly spiced with ginger and cinnamon that tastes and smells remarkably like gingerbread.  This is another product that I was lucky to find locally, as it is sold out here now.  I loved this tea so much that when I first tried it I had two cups in one day, something I never do!  I hope Twinings keeps making this tea every year for the holidays (I would even buy it at any time of the year).

If you love gingerbread as much as I do, you might want to give these products a try - if you can find them!  The only item I have had a hard time finding here is really good gingerbread man cookies, which are my husband's favorite.  I wish I had the time to bake them, but we are just too busy unpacking right now - maybe next year, if we are finally done unpacking by Christmas 2022!