Sweet November

Autumn in the Best Season in which to Sniff,

and to Sniff for Pleasure,

for this is the Season of

Universal Pungency....Bertha Damon

A Maine House Mosaic

CRUSTY CORNBREAD CHILI

1/2 lb. ground beef

1/4 cup onion, chopped

1/4 cup green peppers, chopped

1/2 tsp. garlic, chopped

1/4 cup frozen corn kernels

1 (14.5-oz.) can petite diced tomatoes

3/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cornbread Topping

3/4 cup cornbread mix

1 egg

3 Tbsp. milk

1/3 cup cheddar, shredded

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Sauté the onions, peppers, garlic, and ground beef in the 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the beef has browned and is no longer pink. Add the corn, tomatoes, beans, and spices to the beef mixture and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat. In a separate bowl, combine the cornbread mix, egg, and milk. Stir until smooth and fold in the cheddar cheese. Use a Tbsp. to drop heaping dollops of the cornbread mixture on top of the chili. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 — 20 minutes, or until the chili is bubbly and the cornbread has browned.

 

APPLE CINNAMON SNICKERDOODLES

2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch cubes

1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter

1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3 Tbsp. cornstarch

1-1/2 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

Topping

1/2 cup sugar

1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Stir together the following dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside. In the stand mixer bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add both sugars and mix until fully incorporated. Next, add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until the batter looks uniform. Add the dry ingredients in sections, mixing well after each addition. Remove the bowl from the stand and gently stir in the diced apples.
Measure out 1 heaping Tbsp. of dough, roll it into a ball, and coat it completely in the cinnamon-sugar mixture; repeat. Place the balls 2-inches apart on the paper-lined cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with your fingers. Bake for 9 minutes. Then, turn the pan(s) around and set the timer for 9 more minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet, then eat and  enjoy!

Miss Abbie

Catch a Leaf in mid-air, make a wish, kiss it and toss it into the wind!