There are so many great  ways to make sweet potatoes, but on Thanksgiving we all seem to go to our own families favorites.   This is my annual contribution to the Thanksgiving feast.   

Serves 8
4 cups sweet potatoes, peeled cooked and mashed
3 tbs. butter, melted
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup orange juice
2 tsp. brandy
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. grated orange peel
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp all
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine all ingredients except praline topping.
Mix well
Spoon into a buttered, 2 quart shallow baking dish

Praline Topping
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans 
1/4 butter melted
1/2 tsp. commamon

Combine all ingredients. 
Spread over potato mixture
Bake for 30 minutes 

I usually double the recipe, and triple the topping.  Just 'cause I can.


Original recipe from "The Fine Art of Cooking"  by the Philadelphia Museum of Art

I'm not sure where the swanky name came from (poulet chasseur sounds a little more uptown), but when the weather starts to cool, I love dinners that are simple to prepare and fill the house with comforting aromas. This chicken recipe fits the bill. 
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Ingredients

​8 Chicken thighs 
6 shallots - peeled and quartered
1 pint fresh mushrooms - cleaned and quartered
2 cloves garlic - chopped
2/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup white wine
fresh rosemary, thyme, chive, tarragon (about 1tbs each, chopped)
Salt and pepper
butter

Preheat oven to 350
Place chicken thighs in large baking dish
Sprinkle mushrooms, garlic and shallots evenly around chicken thighs
Pour olive oil, vinegar and wine around chicken
Season with herbs, salt and pepper
Place a teaspoon of butter on each chicken thigh
Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until chicken is tender and slightly browned on top.

Serve with risotto and top with pan sauce.
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How easy is that?

Enjoy!

​I had a wonderful time at the Delaware Antique Show last weekend.  Always a fall highlight, this year's show did not disappoint.   I always learn so much from the dealers who share their knowledge and expertise and  I never fail to find new treasure to delight my eye. 
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Although many of the offerings are not in my budget, I learned a game from my fellow docents at Winterthur years ago, that adds to the fun.  First, find the most expensive item in the show, and try to understand why it commands such a price tag.  Second,  take your imaginary $50,000 and go shopping.
It's always fun to see what everyone "buys" and why. 

So, here's what I "bought".
The fox and family treehouse from Leatherwood Antiques. 
"Unusual & rare whimsical box exquisitely carved with a fox family tree house. Each brick & ivy leaf carved with character. The father "wise man" fox sitting outside cross-legs & arms with his book & glasses on his lap. The mother with a baby standing in the window and a marmot visiting tipping his hat as he greets the fox father."

The whole carving is superb & can be used as box with hidden compartment at the back.. Swiss c. 1990.Size: 10 1/2" H x 8 1/2" W x 7" D

And I learned what a marmot is.

This beautiful mahogany table from The Federalist Antiques   
The woods used, construction methods and design details make this table a bit of a mystery. It had heads far more knowledgeable than mine pondering, "who made it and where?"  Besides being beautiful and useful, I love a mystery.

The Frog Mug from  William and Teresa Kurau

They always seem to have one of these charming little mugs in stock featuring a ceramic frog at the bottom.  

And finally, the new book by this year's honorary chairman, Thomas Jayne. Winterthur graduate and renowned designer, Jayne is a master at blending the old with the new.  This one I actually did buy and can't wait to read.