Summer's end: autumn's return

This week marks the equinox when the days and nights are equally long. Hard to believe those excruciatingly hot days are finally behind us. And finally we are getting some rain. The mums are happy and the herbs, as well. We'll have the doors open and the AC off. Last week was a record week in several ways. We had three "highest evers" in one week. Tuesday and Thursday had highest ever lunches. Friday was a highest ever full day. I just love hearing the sound of happy chatter on those days.  The sound of the slapping wood screen door brings back memories of childhood—memories of running around barefoot all summer.

We took my Mom to see "The Help" on Sunday. What an exquisitely written story. Having grown up in the South, I was young enough to be at the tail end of the period of this kind of treatment. While I know there were those attitudes around me, I gratefully, never witnessed it myself. I am delighted to see the movie made and even more proud that West Plains' Glass Sword cinema has had it running for 3 weeks. Hopefully, it has been a financial success for them, but as a social-justice-type person, I am just thrilled to see a message, as such, getting out. Hats off!!!!!

The change in weather has ushered in a new season of soups. Bruce kicked things off twice last week with his famous French Onion Soup and followed it up with a three cheese Italian soup. The TINY bit I got to taste was terrific. It disappeared REAL fast.

I am looking forward to the first pomegranates of the season as well as the first winter squashes. We have had several requests for a winter squash soup so it will be in the line up as soon as I see them available. My white chicken chili will be making a comeback later this week. Today I have lentil soup made with farmer produced sausage that has no nitrates. Full of lentils, carrots, garlic and onion, it is one of the most flavorful soups and filling, too.

Monday I have a very tasty shrimp poblano quiche—Mexican, seafood, eggs and cheese all wrapped up in one dish. There are lots of shrimp in it. $6.50 with fruit or potato salad/$8.00 with a side salad.

Tuesday Bruce steps up with his hand-built tamales. This time he tackles gumbo. Phil Wages brought in some lovely okra and that will be the star in that dish. Chicken gumbo tamales with dirty rice. Should be an interesting flavor combination. So far his experiments in tamales have produced some fine results. Go Bruce! Go! $6.50

Wednesday Enchiladas Cremosas de Pollo—translates to creamy chicken enchiladas. Rick Bayless of Frontera fame in Chicago has shared this recipe and I love it. I'm pretty sure you will, too. I'll serve it with a fennel-apple slaw and Spanish rice. Reminder: If you see a special on the list you want, call in that morning and we'll save you a serving. I only make 8-10 servings of each special, so they go fast.
$6.50

Thursday Bruce will take over the pizza game with sweet Italian sausage pizzas topped with fresh tomatoes, onions and cheese. They'll be served with a side salad. $7

Friday lunch will be Curried turkey and couscous salad with dried cranberries. This will be a hearty salad that will fill you up quite well. Served with a cranberry nut muffin. $6.50

Friday night this week brings the return of the Renee Wood Trio. They play swinging jazz on saxophone, guitar and drums. We often fill the house when they join us, so reservations are strongly advised.
The seafood entree~Bruce will marinate tuna in red miso and then sear it. It'll be served with wakame salad and a sushi roll. $12
The meat entree~ Lemon Moroccan chicken with couscous. Served with a chunky cucumber/ feta  salad $12
The vegetarian entree~Roasted root veggies with grilled polenta. Served with a veggie-loaded salad. $10

It should be a good week for dining al fresco if the rain holds off during lunch-time. I look forward to hearing the door slap as you join us. Welcome in the fall with us. See ya~~

~~Susan

October 4-8 Chicken curry & Lentil soup

Well around here the seasons change like the flip of a switch. It was one of the real joys we discovered after moving here from Florida. Can you imagine going 6 years with no spring? or fall? Actually in Florida, these seasonal changes happen a week apart in early February. One week the leaves are finally falling and the next week the new leaves emerge.The week after that the tent worms take over. Orange trees don't even have to have dropped their fruit before new blossums and fruit forms. Here ends the geography lesson for today.

Actually-- we are going to be visiting the Middle East again. This week I am making another family favorite-- chicken curry. I use lots of fresh chicken and fresh ginger, plenty of coconut milk and lime and curry. But this will not be a hot curry. So if you are relatively new to curries- fear not. If someone wants theirs real hot, I'll pass them the habanero sauce. I'll serve it over a bed of jasmine rice and with a side of fresh fruit. It will be plenty juicy and stick-to-your-ribs filling.

We are still recovering from an overwhelmingly busy weekend. So I will make the soup starting on Tuesday. This week's soup will be lentil soup with wholewheat cornbread. This is NOT a vegetarian version. I use lots of smoked sausage (beef and turkey), garlic, carrots and basil. Perfect for a cool weather treat. It can get quite thick-- like a stew. As always, you are welcome to taste a sample.

Our search for an indoor, permanent location continues. We appreciate that several of you have your eye out and are open to bright, resourceful solutions. I have great confidence that the right solution will reveal itself shortly-- and may already have. Last week we had three record days in a row. Each time the numbers went up, we looked at ways to make it go smoother while maintaining our high quality standards. It is almost scary to look back and realize just HOW MUCH we have learned in the last 2 months. My committment to creating delicious food using the freshest, locally sourced (when possible) ingredients has been like a light through the fog of confusing options.  I especially enjoyed being able to serve locally grown Chambourcin grapes and local Jonathon apples last week. As that grape makes my favorite Missouri wine, it was fun to taste it in its raw form.

Later in the week, watch for the new tablecloths. Autumn! Just today I noticed that the turkey vultures have once again arrived and this morning I spied a bald eagle soaring overhead. Aren't they early this year?

We look forward to seeing you this week. The "return visit" treat will be a surprise even to me!
Have a great week!