wood chair back

wood chair back, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I sat on a bench in the Plaza while sketching. This was the seat next to me. It also was of Spanish style and had a cobalt blue cushion.

tile roof detail

tile roof detail, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

All of the roofs were terra cotta tiles. They were beautiful and extremely functional providing insulation from the desert heat.

Butternut squash soup with crispy prosciutto

butternut squash soup, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

OK as promised soup and salads for a while...
I love butternut squash soup. It is so complex to the palate for a simple pureed soup. This recipe is from Williams-Sonoma' s Thanksgiving menu for this year and it is divine. They have a new jarred butternut squash puree. It is $12 and probably worth every penny but it is not difficult to do at home. I roasted a whole butternut squash in a 400 deg oven for about an hour. First cut a few slits in the side with a sharp knife so it won't explode in your oven. That would truly be a mess and not only would you have to clean your oven but you would also have to buy a new squash. Let cool and scoop out the insides after removing the seeds. Then proceed with the recipe. This soup has the unique flavor of butternut squash, the savory flavors of the traditional soup herbs and vegetables and the added twist of pear which gives the soup a little sweetness but adds a unique flavor of its own. Try it for your Thanksgiving or before.

Oh..The soupspoon on the right is a very old piece of hotel silver that I have enjoyed collecting over the last 15 years. I just took several pieces to be re-silvered. Silver plate does wear thin after a while and this is the first time I have tried replating any. I just picked up about a dozen pieces today and they are beautiful. Recycle, repurpose...call it what you want but I am really pleased.

caramelized pears

caramelized pears, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

to die for..to caramelize pears. Slice 4 pears into 1/4 inch pieces and place in pan with 2 Tbs of melted butter ( only one layer at a time) and cook on medium high heat for about 5 minutes total, turning only once. Half of the pears go into the soup. The other half is used for garnish. I think these would be fabulous in any salad.

prosciutto, oven baked

prosciutto, oven baked, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

For the crispy prosciutto: place individual slices on a baking sheet and place in 350 deg oven for 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool and get really crispy

Peach & blueberry crisp

peach & blueberry crisp, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

One more yummy dessert and then I am on to salads and soups. My pants are getting a little tight in the wrong places. Merde!
This is one of my favorites: not because of the peaches but because of the topping. It is easy. It is crunchy. It has oatmeal...now that has to be good for you. I use this sparingly on the fruit and put the rest in the freezer. I would recommend using Ina Garten's recipe for the method and use whatever fruit you have or is fresh in the Farmer's Markets in your neighborhood.
The topping"
1 1/2 cup flour. try using whole wheat
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1 cup old fashioned Oats
(see the ratios here?)
1 tsp salt
2 cubes (total 8 oz) cold butter, diced
Mix all ingredients together by hand or a mixer and sprinkle over fruit. A little will go a long way.. We don't ever want to buy the next size jeans!!!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween quilt, 4, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I hope you all had a spooky and treatful Halloween. There were fun and adorable trick or treaters at my door last night. I think my really scary Jack-o-lantern scared them away though or maybe it was my dog, Sophie. I am not sure. This Jack is the center block of my Halloween quilt made 2 years ago. The starry eyes are buttons.