Personal Chef Week

Monday September 29th
Terry Henderson, ChefByNite Personal Chef Service

Thanksgiving party platter
Sweet & creamy pumpkin dip with fruit kabobs

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 cups Confectioners sugar (icing sugar)
1 can (15 ounces) Pumpkin
1 tablespoon orange extract
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
fruit of your choice
Blend cream cheese and sugar together until smooth in a mixer or food processor.
Add pumpkin and remaining spices mix thoroughly.
Chill for approx 30 minutes or until ready to serve.
Cut top of pumpkin off and scoop out inside, pour dip into pumpkin and place in centre of platter.
Cut and thread fruits onto skewer and lay around the pumpkin on the platter, if you do not want to use fruit you can use gingersnap cookies, great for parties.

Tuesday September 30th
Alexandra Hickey, Freerange Gourmet Personal Chef Service.

Cran-spacho
Recipe By :
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 large shallot -- finely sliced
2 teaspoons oil
1 tablespoon ginger -- grated or minced
1 cup cranberries -- fresh or frozen, coarsely chopped
300 milliliters cranberry juice
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 small zucchini
1 small summer squash -- or yellow zucchini
1 tablespoon honey mustard
honey -- to taste
salt and pepper -- to taste
2 tablespoons vodka -- Orange flavoured, like Absolut Mandarin (optional)

Sweat the shallots in the butter over low heat until they begin to soften, add the ginger and the cranberries. Stir to coat with the butter. Add the allspice, cinnamon and 1/2 cup of cranberry juice, raise heat to medium-high and simmer for 5-8 minutes, until cranberries begin to soften.

Put half of the mixture into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add second half of the mixture and pulse 3 times to chop coarsely.
Add cranberry mixture to raw zucchinis. Stir in honey mustard, salt, pepper and honey to taste.
Chill. Stir in 2 tablespoons of orange vodka just before serving.