pears Archives -

Crostini is almost always my appetizer of choice for bringing along to share at suppers and gatherings because I find little toasts with toppings irresistible and the variations are endless. I recently discovered Bees Knees Spicy Honey through the Hatchery and it makes the most outstanding crostini. For those of you not yet familiar with the Hatchery, they are a company that focuses on bringing small and independent artisans together in one online marketplace. In addition to purchasing full size products through their marketplace, each month you can also sample various ingredients from these makers through their unique tasting boxes. I’ve been receiving Hatchery tasting boxes for the past few months and each month I feel inspired to incorporate new flavors and spices into my cooking that I might not have otherwise tried. And just in case you need some ideas, each box comes with a guide which introduces each of the makers and provides pairing suggestions for each ingredient. Their marketplace sells jams, honeys, nut butters, spice blends, cooking sauces, oils, vinegars, and so much more. Almost anything you could want to make your time in the kitchen just a little more interesting and exciting is sold at the Hatchery. This spicy honey is one that I’ve been particularly smitten with. It’s infused with chili peppers and has just enough bite to spark a curiosity and leave you wanting more. Here it’s drizzled over juicy fresh pears and toasty walnuts layered on a spread of whipped fresh ricotta and creamy goat cheese. The combination is heavenly.

Right now the Hatchery is kindly offering Gather & Dine readers an opportunity to try their first tasting box for just $10 when you use the code GATHERANDDINE at checkout. And for this week only, they are offering G&D readers 15% off all marketplace purchases when you use the code HATCHGD15 at checkout. (Disclaimer: Discount may not be used in conjunction with any other discounts.) They currently have a new batch of Bees Knees in stock, but I’ve seen this honey sell out on numerous occasions so get some while you can!

As early mornings grow darker and the inevitable first frost arrives, I find myself easing into these cooler days with warm bowls of cozy oatmeal for breakfast. Usually it’s a simple bowl of rolled or steel-cut oats, but once in a while I’ll wake up extra early to put on a pot of whole oats. Whole oats, also known as oat groats, don’t seem to receive nearly the amount of attention they deserve. They do take longer to cook than old-fashioned oats as well as a bit longer than steel cut, but the method is just as simple, perhaps even simpler since whole oats don’t require stirring. My 8-year old is generally a part of the anti-oatmeal club, but he does enjoy these whole oat groats. For him it’s the texture- this bowl of oats is creamy without being gummy and chewy without being mushy. I like to add chopped medjool dates as it cooks; the heat melts the dates into the oats and provides a balanced sweetness to the whole bowl.

Spicy Honey Crostini with Pears and Walnuts

Creamy Whole Oats with Cardamom Roasted Pears