thanksgiving — Blog — Pear & Pecorino

Cranberry Cheesecake Tarts

Where did this month go? It started out so turbulent, so unsure. The beginning of November existed only in liminal spaces and pockets of time. In short days that slipped into nighttime. And in a new era.

This month, I’ve taken some time to just cook for myself. Without the lingering thought of preparing for photos or chasing the light. Going into my first winter as a natural light food photographer, I’m noticing the changing light. The nuanced tones of blue and grey that seep in. The strongest light that shines through earlier in the day. I wish I could just sit with it for a while, observing the new patterns and subtleties each hour.

Desserts, Baked GoodsIsabellaNovember 22, 2020cheesecake, cranberry sauce, thanksgiving, thanksgiving leftovers, tarts, dessertsComment

Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce

Less than a week until Thanksgiving! This time next Thursday I'll be cocooning on the couch, watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving with my first plate of leftovers. I have a few recipes for you all before the big day, starting with the very first dish I took over from my mom: Cranberry Sauce. It's sweet and tangy, made with orange zest and aromatic fall spices. A comforting reminder that the holidays have arrived.

Creamy Kale and Mushrooms with Pancetta

The idea for my Creamy Kale and Mushrooms with Pancetta first came up when reviewing the plan for Thanksgiving a few years back. On the menu was the usual turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, along with some annual side dishes like yams, Brussels sprouts, and cornbread. Not to mention two desserts... It seems like every year we attempt to cut back the number of dishes, yet somehow end up expanding our ever-growing list of favorites.

Back when we had a dozen guests crowded around our table, 10+ dishes seem perfect for us. Our guests have dwindled down over the years, so we've been cooking for six; close family members and a few hungry kitties looking for scraps. But a cozy Thanksgiving dinner means more leftovers!