Tag: #Autumn

The Broad Palate – Oct ’25

Italian Tomato Tart

One for the late-season tomatoes – this can be served on its own as a starter, or with salad/soup as a light lunch. 

  • 1 sheet puff pastry (all-butter version preferably);
  • 4-5 large, ripe tomatoes, sliced horizontally to give 6-8 slices each;
  • 75g Parmesan cheese, finely-grated;
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano;
  • 1 tablespoon green pesto;
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil;
  • salt and black pepper;
  • 10-12 basil leaves, to decorate;
  • a handful of pine nuts, toasted in a dry pan (optional).

Method:

Take pastry out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Line an oven tray with baking paper.
Unroll the sheet of pastry onto the baking paper, and score a one-inch border around the edge.
Mix the parmesan with the dried oregano, then sprinkle over the pastry, avoiding the border.
Arrange the sliced tomatoes over the cheese, as decoratively as you like.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Mix the olive oil with the pesto, and drizzle as evenly as possible over the tomatoes.
Bake in the oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry border is puffed and golden, and the tomatoes are nicely roasted.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
Then sprinkle over the pine nuts, if using, and finish off with the basil leaves.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Maple Roasted Pears

Pears of all varieties are at their best now; look out for the especially juicy Comice pear. Serve this easy dessert warm with ice cream (a maple- or ginger-flavoured one would be really nice). A shot of Amaretto on the side goes down well!

  • 4 large, ripe pears;
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract;
  • 125ml maple syrup;
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon;
  • 8 nuggets of marzipan, each about the size of a large grape (optional);
  • 75g toasted flaked almonds;
  • Greaseproof paper; baking tray or shallow, ovenproof dish;butter for greasing pan.

Method:

Heat oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5.
Line a baking tray or shallow dish with paper and grease with a little butter.
Halve and core the pears, then place cut side up on the tray.
Place a nugget of marzipan in each hollow, if using.
Mix together the syrup, extract and cinnamon and drizzle over the pears.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the pears have softened.
Sprinkle with the toasted flaked almonds. Serve warm.

Ann’s previous recipes:

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Autumnal Equinox – Saturday, 23rd September

The autumnal Equinox occurs in September each year.  This year, the autumnal equinox occurs on 23rd September at 7:50am BST.

At the time of the autumnal & spring Equinoxes – the Sun will illuminate the northern and southern hemispheres equally. It is a time of balance – to discard the unwanted and take on the new. 🙂 Deciduous trees undergo huge transformations by shedding their leaves. They trust that this needs to happen in order for renewal and more growth. Letting go is necessary and important in order to sustain life. There can be a sense of loss during this season too, so it’s important for families to spend more time with each other and develop closer, stronger, more loving and supportive bonds.

For many, this Equinox marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.  However, there are three main different ways of defining autumn: astronomical, meteorological and phenological.

  • Astronomically, the four seasons centre around the equinoxes and solstices. However, there is disagreement between those who see the equinox or solstice as the start of the season, and those who hold that it represents the middle of the season.
  • By contrast, meteorologists tend to divide seasons into periods of three whole months based on average monthly temperatures, with summer as the warmest and winter as the coldest. On this basis, for most of the northern hemisphere the autumn months are usually September, October, and November.
  • The third way of defining autumn is to use what are known as phenological indicators. These cover a range of ecological and biological signs, such as the leaves falling off the trees and the migration of birds to warmer climates. These events of course are greatly influenced by weather and climate, and so changing climate could cause autumn to start earlier or later than the standard astronomical or meteorological definitions.

Mabon is a modern Pagan ritual marking the autumnal equinox. The ritual gives thanks for a plentiful harvest and recognises the need to share the Earth’s fruits in the coming winter months.

In Japanese culture, the autumn equinox is celebrated with the tradition of Higan. It is a time to remember deceased relatives, as well as mark the passing of the seasons.

Harvest MoonThe Harvest Moon is the name given to the Full Moon that occurs nearest to the autumnal equinox. The Full Moon this month falls on Friday, 29th September.
Historically the light of the Harvest Moon was said to enable farmers to work late into the night, helping them to bring in the crops from the fields.

 

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#Community,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2023,#Equinox,#Autumn,#HarvestMoon,#FullMoon,#Farmers,#LookUp,#StaySafe

Comrades Hall 100 Club Winners

The Autumn draw took place on Tuesday 6th September 2022 at the Comrades Hall Post Office. The numbers were drawn by John, the Post Office Outreach Clerk.

The winning numbers and names are as follows:

  • 1st   £75          No 91         Winner    Dorothy Rowe
  • 2nd  £50         No 53        Winner    Keith Haggett
  • 3rd   £25         No 63         Winner   Margery Hookings
  • 4th   £15         No 71         Winner    Chris & Di Ponton
  • 5th   £10         No 34         Winner    Steve Corley
  • 6th   £5           No 20         Winner   Audrey Woodley

“This is our last time of making the draw and we would like to thank all the Members who have supported us over the last few years.”  – Joyce & Sally.

Thank you ladies 🙂

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Madron – the Autumn Equinox

The Autumn equinox occurs on Tuesday, September 22nd*.  Summer has come to an end.
Madron, sometimes called Mabon is the time of year when crops are harvested and a time where once again light and dark are in balance. The wheel of the year turns: the sun is rising later now, and nightfall comes sooner.
Themes of celebration include grain, balance, thanksgiving and gratitude for what you’ve “harvested” – and abundance 🙂 Prepare your chutneys, jams and preserves and store for winter. It is a time to throw out the old and take on the new although it is also the feast of the healer, bringing justice. This Sabbat is marked by the release of symbolic prisoners such as old arguments or regrets,
Madron is very much about healing and putting mistakes behind us so we can move on and learn from the lessons we have had and move on with lessons yet to be learned.

*By the meteorological calendar, the first day of Autumn is always 1 September; ending on 30 November.

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#Autumn,#Equinox,#Madron,#Mabon,#Harvest,#Heal,#WinterIsComing,#SocialDistancing,#BeKind,#StaySafe