PANKO-CRUSTED SALMON (Barefoot Contessa)

We decided to make this for dinner at the last minute because we wanted to try out a new cookbook and were planning to have salmon. In less than 20 minutes we were feasting on a delicious and beautiful meal that could have easily been served in an upscale restaurant. We even impressed ourselves!

4 (6oz) salmon fillets)
2/3 c panko
2T fresh parsely, minced
1T lemon zest
salt and pepper
2T good olive oil
2T dijon mustard
2T canola oil

Preheat oven to 425*.  In a small bowl mix panko, parsley, lemon zest, s&p, and olive oil.  Stir to combine. Heat canola oil in a 12in cast iron skillet or other heavy duty pan over med-high heat.  Spread dijon mustard on the top of salmon fillets.  Top generously with panko mixture and press down.  Sear salmon in skillet for 3-4min.  Place pan in oven for 5-7 min.  Remove from oven.  Cover with foil and let rest for 5-10min.  (Can top with fresh lemon juice when serving.)

LONDON BROIL MARINADE (Lynn Cowan)

This has been a favorite recipe in our family for 20 years.  Every time we serve it, someone asks for the recipe.  It can serve a family or a crowd.  It's perfect for a picnic or a nice dinner.  And the leftovers are wonderful.  The ingredients can be easily kept on hand.  Most grocery stores sell their london broil 'buy one get one free' every 6 weeks, so that's a great time to put one in the freezer.  If we are making it for guests we keep them whole, for our own use we cut them in half to make two large squares- just the right size for our family (though leftovers are delicious, too!)

2 1/2-3 lb london broil
2T minced onion powder
1t dry mustard
1/4t black pepper
1t sugar
1/3c soy sauce
1/3c oil
3T red wine vinegar
2T Major Grey's mild chutney
1t minced garlic

Prick the meat with a fork on both sides and place in a ziploc bag.  Add the marinade ingredients to the bag and squeeze to combine.  Seal and place in the refrigerator for 48hours.  On a grill, sear both sides of the meat over high flame for 3min.  Cook for 7min on each side and allow meat to rest on a plate.  The reserve marinade can be microwaved to use to top meat.  Slice into strips and serve as is or in sandwiches.  Leftovers can be eaten warm or cold.

PEAR & GORGONZOLA SALAD (Inn Cuisine)

This salad is a classic mix.  It is the perfect accompaniment to a fall soup, sandwich, or potluck.  It is a delicious blend of simple flavor that never disappoints. It is the perfect blend of fall flavors in a satisfying and savory, yet light meal. When I looked up a recipe online I discovered a new website treasure... Inn Cuisine: best recipes from bed & breakfasts, country & urban inns

Lettuce greens (1 bag or 2 heads) any mix of romaine, red leaf, and green leaf
3-4 pears, peeled and cut into slices (d'anjou, comice, or french butter)
5oz gorgonzola cheese crumbles
1/2 c walnut pieces (browned over med heat until lightly brown)
handful of dried cranberries

Layer all ingredients to make the salad. Top with this honey mustard vinaigrette when serving...

For the vinaigrette:
3T red wine vinegar
2T honey
1T dijon mustard
1/2 c ev olive oil
1t sugar
salt and pepper

PUMPKIN BARS

BATTER:
1c oil
1 2/3 c. sugar
15oz canned pumpkin
4 eggs
2c. flour
2t baking powder
1/2t salt
1t baking soda
2t cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350* With a mixer, combine wet ingredients. Mix in dry ingredients. Bake in a greased and floured jelly roll pan or cookie sheet for 25 min. Cool.

FROSTING:
6T butter
3oz cream cheese
1T milk
1 3/4c. powdered sugar

Beat with a mixer and spread over cooled bars. Slice into squares and serve.

ALMOND TILAPIA AND COUSCOUS

4 tilapia filets
1 c almonds
¼ c plain or panko breadcrumbs
2T brown sugar
1t Old Bay
Salt & pepper
1 egg w/ 1T water
¼ c flour

Preheat oven to 425*  In a food processor (or with a mallet) combine almonds, breadcrumbs, brown sugar, and seasonings. Coat tilapia in flour, then dip in egg, and finally in almond crumb mixture. Lay in a baking dish and bake 15-20 min.

To make the couscous:

1c couscous
1 ¼ c water
Grated carrots
1t ginger
Dried cranberries
1T lemon juice
1T olive oil

Boil water. Stir in all other ingredients. Cover and let set 7min.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

I seem to always find a use for cream cheese frosting.  It makes almost anything tastes so yummy.  In the fall it seems we whip up a batch almost every weekend for carrot cake, pumpkin bars, or just hungry fingers!

8oz cream cheese
1/2 stick butter
1t vanilla
2c. powdered sugar

Beat first 3 ingredients until smooth.  Add powdered sugar and beat until creamy.  Can add more sugar to make it thicker consistency.

CRAB CORN CHOWDER

1 T extra-virgin olive oil
2 T butter
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper
1 T Old Bay seasoning
3 T flour
2c. chicken broth (one can)
4c. milk (I use lowfat, but whole milk or heavy cream would be good, too.)
3c. frozen corn kernels
6-8oz crab meat

Melt butter and evoo in a pot over med high heat.  Saute onions, celery, pepper, and potatoes for 5min.  Add Old Bay, salt & pepper, bay leaf, and flour.  Stir to combine.  Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 15 min.  Add milk, corn, and crab meat and heat over med-low until warm.

May drizzle with sherry when serving, if desired.