Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I love pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, and I will eat butternut squash right out of the rind once it's roasted. I bake pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie in autumn, not really for the holidays so much. I generally love squash. I once made pies from a squash in Peru just because it was a novelty. These squashes/gourds are so big it takes two people to carry one. It's important to remember that pies aren't just a desert - they are often the main course, filled with meats, vegetables, and spices. My family usually has pumpkin pie around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we also get tired of traditional holiday foods. Frequently, for Thanksgiving or Christmas, we will decide to have something different at the table. Last year we had an incredible Italian dish that my father prepared for Christmas, and I smoked chicken and baby back ribs for Thanksgiving. It didn't change the spirit of the holidays at all for us. So, I guess the important thing is that you enjoy what you cook and eat during the holidays.

I just tried this for the first time but I made it with chicken broth, minced onions, black beans and topped with sour cream....mmmm mmmm good

Cold avocado soup in San Antonio is one of the best ways to beat the heat. A local restaurant makes their soup with buttermilk instead of Crema, cream or sour cream. It gives the soup a lovely tang. I also like to add fresh black pepper to give the soup a little oomph.

My brother makes something similar to this (except he adds fish sauce) and swears it tastes arroz caldo, a Filipino soup.

I prepared oatmeal as directed (maybe a bit more salt) and served with tomato and avocado. A dash of hot sauce makde it super yum. Savory oatmeal has made me a happy girl.

I tried it and liked it a lot. My husband is very, very into sweet stuff, but I like savory stuff, including for breakfast. I don't understand the appeal of waking up to something very sweet

I tried this over the weekend, and liked it for a change of pace from my usual non-creamy pasta sauces. I didn't bother boning my sardines. If you can get away with it, leave the bones in. They're a good source of calcium. I used white wine instead of water because it was kicking around and I thought it could use a little acidity, and I used half and half, because that's what I had, though I'm sure it would have been plenty creamy as written. I also added a bit of cayenne pepper, as I do to almost all cream sauces. Not enough to make it spicy, but just enough to liven it up. I think it was a great addition for balance, as the slow cooked onions got quite sweet.

Hey, all -- about the boning, it's probably not necessary, and also depends on the sardines you buy. The can I bought had two large fish inside and the spines were quite big. I found it easy to split the fish lengthwise and lift it out. Other cans I've bought in the past, though, had 4 little fish instead, and the bones were negligible.

In short, up to you!

mmm pumpkin pie is fabulous and should never be forgotten especially on thanksgiving! save the pumpkin pie! :)

i enjoyed this season. as i see it, the name is 'top chef'. so really isnt it the whole package. the best food, the best host, the best 'can do' whatever is put before them....... as so many my feelings, opinions...how the chefs conducted themselves sure made me pick and choose. but as the final days are here. and having the top four..BOY. I WISH I COULD TASTE WHAT IS BEING SERVED!!! i do hope the most deserving wins. (but i do have my fav's and i do love the judges)

@iliana & ovrw8- I don't see anything wrong with the use of the word "pussy" to call someone (especially one's self) a "wuss." I also don't think it necessarily has anything to do with referring to someone as a "woman" in a derogatory sense.

"Genitalia
The word "pussy" often refers to the female genitalia. Used in conjunction with "some", the phrase some pussy refers to sexual intercourse itself. Most dictionaries mark the anatomical meaning as "vulgar" or "offensive" and its use is frowned upon in polite company. The German form is cognate (Fotze; compare "Puss-y" to "Fotz-e" [in the style of Futs-sy]), and the (vulgar) French term "chatte" (literally a female cat) is analogous.

Weakness
The meaning "weak or cowardly person" has a separate etymology. Websters 1913 Revised Unabridged Dictionary lists this version of pussy as an alternate spelling of "pursy," an otherwise obsolete English word meaning "fat and short-breathed; fat, short, and thick; swelled with pampering ..."[1] The interpretation is often misconstrued, as it contains multiple meanings which some consider derogatory.[2] In fact, when pussy appears in the earlier 1828 edition of the dictionary, this definition is presented for the word, while the older pursy is simply offered as a "corrupt orthography.""

The point being, that the word "pussy" meaning "woman" or "the genitals of a woman" has a different origin than the word "pussy" meaning "weak or pampered." As a previous poster said, let's get our panties out of the proverbial wad, shall we? Obviously, SE, Top Chef and Fabio all know many successful chefs are women.

That being said, I never thought I would say this at the beginning of the season (really, through the first 5 or 6 episodes) but Stefan has grown on me! Not just because of his food, technique and work ethic, which are usually head and shoulders above the other cheftestants', but because of his personality! I know, I know... but cockiness aside (and I have never known a timid chef), his critiques (and snarky comments) about the other chefs have proven themselves true time and time again. He also seems to have a pretty good sense of humor, and his no-nonsense attitude about food is very familiar to me, as I am currently living in Europe. Go Stefan! (Then, go Fabio, Carla, and finally, Hosea.)

As a chef, I think Stefan's arrogance will probably serve him well. (He wont have many friends, but people will stand in line to eat his food.) Personalities not withstanding, I think Stephan and Fabio are by far the most talented contestants on the show. I'm glad Leah is gone. She was a poser.

Even if Stefan is arrogant, he is probably the best Chef... I agree both Hosea and Leah should have been voted off....They should have gone long ago...Both of them bailed on Ariane and Leah especially has been awful...Overall, Stefan and Fabio have been the best Chefs....Carla has been good lately...Love the show and only hope Hosea is out next...

By the way is there anyone more arrogant than Tom...