A Bad Habit & A Good Recipe

Why Do I Do This Every Month?!

I have a bad habit... well, maybe it's a kind of a silly habit, but it surely doesn't seem smart.  HA!  Nonetheless, I find myself giving way to it month after month.  Thankfully, thus far it's always turned out ok...  I'm glad for that - and I'm sure my guests are too.

Any guesses yet as to what I'm referring to yet?  Keep reading and I'll let you in on my secret... and share a yummy recipe (or 2) with you as well.

Here goes... every month, at The Gathering Place, I have the habit of making a brand-new-to-me-never-tried-before-recipe.  Each time I remind myself that this may not end well and then what will I do?  But each month I get pulled into another yummy sounding newly Pinterest found dish, and there I go whipping it up just before guests arrive.  Do you do this too, or is it just me?  I was always taught to never try a new recipe the day you really need it... but alas, I may never learn.

Here is one of the recipes I made (with a side of warm artisan bread fresh out of the oven) - and it turned out surprisingly well.  It was a hit, and a healthy one at that:  DAIRY FREE SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP.  If you're looking for an appetizer for the upcoming holidays you should try it out!

When not trying new recipes I tend to be a "throw it together" kind of cook... and in the picture above that's just what I did.  If you want a sweet & slightly salty autumn flavored dish try this:

• sauté raw pecans in a bit of butter,
• give a healthy shake of both cinnamon & nutmeg,
• add a few dashes of Himalayan sea salt,
• and finish with a drizzle of pure maple syrup.
• Enjoy them warm straight out of the skillet!

Now... what shall I make for the next Gathering Place???