Blog

Sep 27, 2011
Denise Simmons, Corporate Chef

I love the foods of summer…tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, squash, anything cooked on a grill, peaches, cherries, nectarines, watermelon, anything cooked on a grill…you get the idea.

But I also love the foods of fall, which is coming closer every day.  I noticed today the leaves are starting to change colors, there’s a little nip in the air first thing in the morning, the smell of wood smoke wafting by…it all makes me feel cozy & comfortable.

Dinner last night was just that: a little pot roast with onion jus, mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash and best of all-a big pot of southern style braised local collard greens.  I’m a big fan of any & all types of greens, but collards, done well, are my favorite. 

I cooked dinner for my family-mom, dad & my niece, Aja.  Aja had never had collard greens before (I just can’t understand that…she’s my niece and has been in my life a lot in the past 20 years, how’d she miss collards?!?).  My dad asked her if she’d ever tried them, and when she replied ‘no’, he cautioned her to take just a little…’collard greens are one of those things you either love or hate’ (this from a man who tries very hard to never eat anything green).  Aja sort of gingerly tasted the first bite, then continued to pile more on her plate…and go for seconds!  A huge compliment since she’s a little bitty thing-just over five feet tall, maybe a size 3, and a VERY picky eater!  It was so nice to see her enjoy them!

I can’t wait until it’s cold enough for chili!  I came across a recipe for black bean chili with butternut squash & swiss chard…come on winter!