Well, I’m officially here.  I’ve joined the rest of the world in the land of turning leaves, crisp days and chilly nights, hot cocoa, pumpkins, apple-picking, and wool sweaters.  Now that I’ve hopped on board with this fall thing (it’s only October 1st!), I feel it’s only right to welcome the season properly with a dinner in its honor.  This is a perfect time to dive into the fall produce at the farmers market – mine started carrying gourds weeks ago – and treat your friends to a menu full of classic autumnal flavors.  I like to decorate my table with warm tones – I prefer golden wheat and forest green, accentuated with a little bit of burnished pumpkin orange, to call to mind the changing colors outside.  Set candles everywhere for a warm, welcoming, flickering light, and serve up the best of the new season in style.

Appetizer
Crostini with Mushroom Pesto
Cups of Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Main Course
Maple-Glazed Roast Chicken
Roasted Fall Vegetables
Potato and Parsnip Mash

Dessert
Pumpkin Spice Loaf Cake

Wine Pairing: Now is the time for a warm, buttery (yes, I said it) Chardonnay.  Don’t be afraid of those oaky, toasty flavors – they’ll go perfectly with the roasted chicken and vegetables.  And maybe after they taste the luscious pairing of maple glaze and caramelized roasted vegetables with the full, ripe flavors of a good oaked white, some of the anti-Chard wine snobs might even wake up and realize what they’re missing – just in time for Thanksgiving!