Perfect Pair: Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

The cake was supposedly first made by accident in the 1930s by a St. Louis-area German American baker who was trying to make regular cake batter but reversed the proportions of sugar and flour.  This cake is available at most area bakeries and grocery stores in St. Louis. If you haven’t had it before, you are in for a treat. Neal Wavra, the sommelier of the Ashby Inn in Paris, Virginia, helped us select the pairing.

Thinking of Drinking: Spiced Pear Cocktail

Photo by Bryn Wallace

Feels like summer, but add a little spice to your fall with this Spiced Pear Cocktail.

Thinking of Drinking: Cran-Apple Cobbler

Photo by Emily Clack

I love fall flavors and cocktails.  I'm a huge fan of a signature cocktail every time I have guests over.  This recipe can be a substitute for dessert.  It makes one, but multiply it as necessary depending on the size of your party.

Thinking of Drinking: Gobble-tini

Photo by Emily Clack

Add a little fun to your Thanksgiving or Autumn gathering with the Gobble-tini! I'm thankful to have so many wonderful friends and family members in my life. I'm also thankful to have a job. Tell the people that you love that you're thankful to have them in your life.

Thinking of Drinking: Bourbon Furnace

Photo by Bryn Wallace

September is National Bourbon Heritage Month!  Fall is right around the corner.  It is time to break out the hot apple cider.  You can make this recipe in large quantities for a party in a crock pot.

Fall Flavors: Apple Crisp recipe

I didn't expect fall to sneak up on us so fast, but now that it is here, it is time to enjoy delicious fall fruits and vegetables. Apples, pumpkin, figs, avocado, sweet potatoes...

To start the cooking season off right, try our apple crisp recipe from the Hosting Weekend Guests episode with Brian Pease and Allison Dougherty.

Apple Crisp

6-8 apples (green and red)
Juice of one lemon

For a 9" square baking dish peel and core 6-8 apples. Slice apples and set aside. (a bowl of slightly acidic water will keep them from turning)

Butter or spray the bottom of baking dish and fill the bottom with sliced apples.

add topping to the dish and bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes or till golden brown.

Topping

3/4 c. butter

3/4 c. light brown sugar
1/2 C oatmeal

1/2 c. flour
1/4 C walnuts
1/4 t cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and crumble over apples and bake. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream. The aroma will fill your house...yum!

More fall recipes coming soon. You can check out my pumpkin dip recipes at

The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show

http://www.metrocooking.com/2008DC/home.html

Visit Lauren at the Capital Cooking Booth 404. Also, catch her cooking presentation at one of the workshops.

Thanksgiving Appetizers

Join Lauren DeSantis, host of the television show, Capital Cooking, as she demonstrates how to make Thanksgiving appetizers with a twist. Instead of cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, she'll show you how to make a delicious Cranberry Salad and tasty Pumpkin Dip. These recipes will add some fun to your Thanksgiving celebration.

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, November 8, 2008 Saturday, November 8, 2008 Sunday, November 9, 2008	1:30 - 2:00 PM 6:00 – 6:30 PM 1:00 – 1:30 PM	Tasting & Entertaining Workshop 1 Tasting & Entertaining Workshop 2 Tasting & Entertaining Workshop 2

DATES
November 8 – 9, 2008
LOCATION
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001