Hello and happy pumpkin month! It seems that the whole world goes pumpkin crazy at this time of year. We are all creatures of habit and as the weather turns cooler, we all seek comfort in our foods such as pumpkin spiced tea, warm pumpkin lattes, you get the picture. Naturally, we are thinking that way as well. Our recipes this month feature that big orange fruit that signifies Fall in western Kentucky!
Before we get to recipes, I’m so excited to share some new items that the Olive Oil Co. of Paducah has available. I guess by now, everyone has sampled at least one flavor of the caramel sauces we have from the Caramel Kitchen. We personally can vouch that they are spectacular with the Pumpkin Spiced tea from Stash Tea Company.
Seattle Chocolates are another new item and we have 8 fantastic flavors and two of them are special editions for birthdays and “Thank you”. My favorite flavor has been Rainier Cherry Chocolate. We also have bags of truffles in several flavors and two sizes to satisfy your sweet tooth. They make a shining touch to any gift basket or are excellent hostess gifts just by themselves.
Breakfast may never be the same again once you add Strawberry Vanilla Rhubarb Jam to your toast or wake up the inside of your mouth with a spoonful of Cinnful Peach Habanero Jam! These are some of the new flavors from Fired Up Jellies and Jams that have recently shown up at the store. Another new flavor is Cherry Jam from the Good Good Company. It features no added sugar and is sweetened with Stevia and Erythritol. It is both vegetarian and vegan.
For a more complete, filling meal, try some of our hand-made pastas smothered with Organic Alfredo Sauce. Our pastas come in a variety of flavors and even feature a few gluten-free varieties. One of our most-loved items is locally-made MeMe’s Marinara Sauce. Use it to make a special meal even more special!
The list goes on and on! The best way to see what all we have added to our shelves is to just come and visit with us. We are open 10:30 – 5:30 Monday through Friday and 10:00 – 4:00 Saturday. If you missed our evening tasting on Oct. 1st, there will be another coming soon! Just keep watching the newsletters or give us a call at (270) 534-5790. Folks who joined us at the tasting got nibbles of salad with various combinations of olive oils and balsamics. We also enjoyed bread dipping with some classic combos and sampled Nana’s own chicken salad mix.. Cheesecake with caramel samples and balsamic choices were a huge hit. Our next event will be holiday themed!
EASY PUMPKIN SOUP
Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 30 min Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
1 qt. vegetable broth
1 medium onion
4 garlic cloves
¼ cup sour cream (plus more to pour over)
Ground Pepper (freshly ground)
¾ cup red lentils
½ tsp. cumin
½ tsp. oregano
½ tsp. dried ground ginger
Kosher salt (to taste)
Home made croutons or toasted pumpkin seeds to garnish top
DIRECTIONS:
Mince garlic and dice onion.
Cook onions and garlic in a soup pot with no oil until translucent.
Add all ingredients except sour cream and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes until lentils are softened.
Transfer soup to a blender and blend with the sour cream until smooth.
Pour soup into bowls and garnish with sour cream, croutons, and pumpkin seeds.
EASY PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD
Prep time: 15 min Cook time: 1 hr.
INGREDIENTS
1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. white sugar
1 tbs. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
1 c. pumpkin puree
½ c. melted butter
1 c. chocolate chips
2 eggs
DIRECTIONS
- Grease and flour loaf pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk, pumpkin, eggs, and butter together, stir in chocolate chips. Fold the mixture into flour mixture and pour batter into loaf pan.
- Bake approx.. 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.
Our featured spice this month is Steak and Chop Rub. Tis delightful blend of spices adds the perfect touch to meat marinades for steaks, chicken, pork chops, and other types of meats as well as useful for a quick sauce over marinated mushrooms and steamed vegetables. Ingredients: sea salt, organic pepper, organic onion, organic thyme, organic tarragon, organic bay leaf. Stop in this month and save 15% on it.
Enjoy our fabulous fall weather and come visit us at the Paducah Olive Oil Co.!