Savory Pumpkin Butter Tart

I truly love this time of year. The way the light changes from vibrant summer sun to softer, more golden reflections of fall leaves is absolute perfection. And the cooler air? Yes. Give me more of that. The change in seasons also means more of my favorite foods. Pumpkin spice things, caramelized things, herb-y things...they are all on my radar right now. This savory pumpkin butter tart is now at the top of my favorite-fall-foods list. Creamy pumpkin puree (recipe here) plus some homemade applesauce, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup and amaretto make a perfect pumpkin-apple butter. Spread on puff pastry and topped with walnuts, caramelized onions and blue cheese showcases the butter's sweet-spicy perfection in a new way.

This tart would be perfect for anything from last-minute cocktail parties to holiday appetizers alongside a glass of crisp, bubbly Prosecco. You could also turn this into a perfect fall lunch or light supper by pairing it with a simple green salad and a glass of chardonnay.

I'll be eating this in my backyard while I watch the leaves fall and pile up on the lawn, contemplating when I should ask my husband to start raking. It's gonna be a good time.

Savory Pumpkin Butter Tart

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin-Apple Butter:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree (recipe here)
• 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup Amaretto
• pinch of salt

For the tart:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
• 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced with the grain
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2/3 cup pumpkin-apple butter (pumpkin or apple butter are fine too)
• 1/3 cup walnut halves
• 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles
• 1 tablespoons thyme leaves

Instructions

1. Combine all of the pumpkin-apple butter ingredients in a small saucepan, stir to combine and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Continue to gently simmer until slightly thickened, about 30-45 minutes, stirring often. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool.
3. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry out until it measures about 12x18 inches. Roll about half an inch of the pastry to form a raised border. Return the pastry to the fridge to chill for 20-30 minutes.
5. While the pastry chills, make the caramelized onions by first melting the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Add the onions and kosher salt and stir until the onions are softened and just beginning to turn golden.
7. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook and stir until the onions are a deep golden color, about 20-30 minutes.
8. Spread the pumpkin butter on the chilled pastry and sprinkle with the walnut halves.
9. Bake for about 23 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and firm.
10. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the caramelized onions and blue cheese crumbles.
11. Garnish with thyme leaves and cut to serve.

Cranberry Turnovers with Cinnamon Glaze

I love this time of year. Even though the trees have lost their colorful leaves and there is no snow on the ground (yet) to cover the many shades of brown, I find myself feeling thankful for the cooler air, the clear, bright blue skies, and the feeling that everyone is cozying up with their families filling their bellies with comforting foods and curling up under warm blankets. In our own home, I'm watching Riley make the transformation from baby to toddler to little boy. His sweet snuggles are few and far between because, let's face it, there are more exciting things to do. But the way he says mommy melts my heart to a gooey puddle on the floor. The overriding emotion I have is, appropriately, thankfulness for all of these things and much more. My heart is full.

This is the first Thanksgiving in 5 years that I haven't hosted. It's kind of a strange feeling because typically this time of year is filled with menu planning, cleaning, and usually trying to tackle a random house project that probably isn't necessary but seems like a good idea at the time. I think I am a bit of a bite-off-more-than-I-can-chew type of person in that respect. Not hosting thanksgiving has also made it a little harder to get in the holiday spirit. My sister and I have always been the worst offenders when it comes to listening to Christmas music too early. Not so for me this year. One of our neighbors put up their Christmas lights last weekend and I said to Brad, "Can you believe they already have their lights up?" When he reminded me that Thanksgiving was mere days away I went into a little bit of shock and tried to force myself into the holidays by having a peppermint mocha, a Christmas Ale, and listening to a little Christmas music. No, not all at once.

Making these delicious cranberry turnovers with cinnamon glaze may have worked better than any other attempt to prepare for the upcoming holiday season. The bright color of the cranberry filling (which is actually the cranberry sauce from Monday's post here) and the warm cinnamon icing created a lovely dessert full of seasonal flavors. Store-bought puff pastry folded into triangles and baked to a beautiful golden brown makes for an easy and beautiful dessert for Thanksgiving. Or breakfast for whenever. I won't judge.

This is a perfect way to bring a little Thanksgiving into your home even if you aren't hosting. So, whip up a batch of cranberry sauce (it only takes about 15 minutes), followed by these turnovers, and ending with a cocktail coming your way on Friday! Who knew cranberry sauce could do so much? I'm thankful for you, cranberries.

Cranberry Turnovers with Cinnamon Glaze

Ingredients

• 1 cup chilled cranberry sauce (recipe here)
• 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. On a lightly floured surface, unfold the pastry sheets and cut each sheet into 4 squares.
3. Place the squares on a parchment lined baking sheet (use two baking sheets if you need to).
4. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the cranberry sauce in the center of each pastry square. Fold the pastry over the filling to form a triangle.
5. Seal the edges with a fork.
6. Brush the tops of the triangles with the heavy cream.
7. Use a sharp paring knife to cut 3 slits in the top of each turnover.
8. Bake the turnovers until they are puffy and golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
9. While the turnovers are baking, combine the ingredients for the glaze in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Set aside.
10. Remove the turnovers from the oven and let cool slightly.
11. Transfer the turnovers to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet.
12. Drizzle with the glaze and allow them to cool for at least 5 more minutes before eating.
13. The turnovers can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. They are best when enjoyed within 2 days.