Thanksgiving Shepherd's Pie with Cranberry Bacon Chutney

The current Thanksgiving tradition is certainly one to marvel at.  It is a feast of such variety, and so intricate that it is often prepared for days, or even weeks in advance!  Most appreciate the extensive preparation, because it is worth it to spend this holiday with those who matter most.  But what about a college student who may not be able to make it home for a big Thanksgiving celebration, or a newlywed couple in transition who have yet to start their own family and traditions, and thus may only be cooking for the two of them?

Mint Chocolate Chip "Ice Cream"

I am a firm believer in the saying, "You eat with your eyes first."  I remember when I was a kid, my mom once brought home some mint chocolate chip ice cream, but it was a different brand than I was used to, so it was white instead of green.  Now, mint chocolate chip was my favorite flavor so I was the mint chocolate chip connoisseur; and I could tell just by looking at it that the white kind was not gonna work for me.

Crispy Okra Chips

"When Life gives you lemons, 

make orange juice and leave Life wondering 

how you did it."  -Anonymous

About a month ago, I decided to sign up for my first CSA.  For those of you that are confused, CSA does NOT stand for "Customer Service Agent."  CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) is a food distribution model or program in which customers pay a farm in advance for a season's worth of produce acquired in weekly shares.  This fall, my weekly share typically consists of a "surprise" combination of radishes, cucumbers, turnips, sweet potatoes, greens such as arugula or mustard greens, basil, carrots, green black-eyed pea pods, banana peppers…and okra.