Fall and winter tend to gravitate to more hearty foods, including soups, stews, casseroles, and pastas.  Winter squashes are also a favorite this time of year.  Some varieties like acorn, spaghetti, and butternut are available year-round. Other types are available from late summer to mid-winter. Winter squashes are a part of many cuisines from all over the world. Think of Italian risottos and Indian curry dishes. In Japanese cooking, kabocha squash is simmered in ginger and soy sauce.  Native American dishes can include a combination of squash, beans, and corn.

How many pots and pans do you use in a day?  One? Three? More?  Pots and pans often don’t get much thought, but they are the cornerstone of our kitchens. The success of the finished product we cook can often be dependent on the pan it was cooked in. Thin pans that don’t distribute heat evenly can cause food to cook unevenly and burn.