Yes, You Can Now Get a Denim Couch. Enter the Jouch.

A bowl of pumpkin soup garnished with sesame seeds on a dark blue ceramic plate

Pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie might take center stage in fall, but pumpkin soup is another delicious way to enjoy everyone’s favorite orange gourd. This roasted pumpkin soup recipe is easy, filling, and will warm you up through the cozy evenings of fall and into the cold winter nights. Plus, it gives you a reason to head to the farmer’s market to pick out the perfectly sized pumpkin for your soup. You could even double the recipe and make it for your whole office.

Balance is Key When You Roast the Pumpkin for this Pumpkin Soup

Roasting a pumpkin has the potential for frustration. You might keep opening and closing the oven, asking yourself “Why is this pumpkin still so hard?” So, you go back to listening to your podcasts and cleaning your countertop. Then twenty minutes later, your pumpkin is soggy and mushy. Knowing not to roast it for too long or too brief is the key to success here. In this recipe, the indication for when to stop will be when the skin is slightly charred, because every pumpkin and every oven is different. Just remember to be patient and keep an eye on your roasting pumpkin.

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Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Author: Keith Recker

Description

Fall into fall with this creamy, savory pumpkin soup.

Ingredients

Scale

1 medium sized pie pumpkin
2 yellow onions
1 sweet potato
1 inch fresh ginger
1 inches fresh turmeric
3 sprigs fresh thyme
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbs cumin seeds
1 dried ancho chile
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
Chicken (or vegetable) stock to your liking
1 cup water
¾ cup heavy cream (optional)

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Instructions

Cut apart the pumpkin. Scoop out the seeds and stringy material. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Roast on a baking sheet skin side down until skins are lightly charred.
While the pumpkin is roasting, chop onions, sweet potato, ginger and turmeric. Place in a large soup pot with fresh thyme and sauté in olive oil for a few minutes.
Remove stem and seeds from ancho chile. Break up the chile with your hands. Add to pot.
Add the roasted pumpkin and remaining spices. Stir to combine.
Add stock and water. Simmer on low for about an hour. Stir every few minutes to prevent scorching.
Remove thyme stems and any noticeable bits of ancho chile. Use an immersible blender or a countertop blender to puree.
Stir in heavy cream.
Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking: salt, black pepper, or spicy chile can all be added now.
Serve hot with fresh herb and toasted sesame seed garnish.

Recipe, Styling, & Photography by Keith Recker

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How to Help Hurricane Helene Victims Get Meals

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October 8, 2024

A volunteer from World Central Kitchen works on disaster relief for Hurricane Helene

In the face of a tragedy like Hurricane Helene, it’s easy to feel hopeless about how to help. Food is one of the most universal human needs, and disasters often leave victims unable to cook for themselves and without access to clean water. So, one way you can help victims is to consider donating to food banks so that people in the region can access healthy food.

It is important to note that food banks in North Carolina are not currently equipped to accept consumer donations of goods. Financial contributions are a better way to help right now. For individuals, the best choice is to donate to an on-the-ground food bank or a reputable national or regional organization. Here are a few suggestions if you want to contribute.

Where to Donate to Help Hurricane Helene Victims Get Meals

MANNA Food Bank Asheville

This food bank suffered a great deal of damage from the flooding, with their central warehouse and headquarters rendered totally inoperable due to massive flooding. However, volunteers continue to serve the nearby community, and financial donations can help them rebuild and keep their operations going.

Feeding the Carolinas

An on-the-ground food bank network in the southeast that’s working to assess the immediate needs of the community and also make sure that down the line, victims will be able to replace spoiled food in their homes.

World Central Kitchen

WCK is a project of Chef José Andrés and has been providing culinary disaster relief since the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In an online statement, World Central Kitchen said that “Five full WCK tanker trucks of drinking water are on the way to families in Asheville, providing much needed relief after Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic impact on the Appalachian community.” A donation to them means investment in a quality meal for someone in need.

BeLoved Asheville

BeLoved Asheville is a North Carolina based grassroots non-profit organization that is working around the clock to deliver food, water and diapers to people in impacted areas. Donating to BeLoved means you know your contribution is going right into the communit.y.

Mercy Chefs

Mercy Chefs is actively serving hot meals in western North Carolina, including Asheville, Swannanoa, Flat Rock, and Marshall. They also have an outpost in Florida, another state hit by the hurricane. In total, they’ve served over 60,000 meals in response to Hurricane Helene so far.

Baby2Baby

This organization works specifically to deliver formula and supplies for some of the youngest and most vulnerable. Babies have to eat, too, and getting the appropriate food to them during a disaster can be extremely challenging. Baby2Baby makes sure that babies get what they need during this difficult time.

Center for Disaster Philanthropy

A national non-profit focusing on how philanthropists can donate to all aspects of recovery from a natural disaster. They have a fund specifically allocated for the Atlantic hurricane season. And, check out their ways to financially help during a disaster guide for some specific tips.

United Way of North Carolina

The North Carolina chapter of United Way, a national community services organizaiton, has been helping with search-and-rescue efforts to help get families back together safely in the wake of the disaster. You can donate specifically to their Helene fund and learn more about their work when visiting their website.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is on the ground helping people who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene get to safety and reunite with loved ones. A donation to them means one more dollar towards efforts to both keep people safe and get sustenance and relief to displaced and injured people.

Americares

Americares is working in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee to deliver hygiene kits, antibiotics and relief supplies to partner organizations in affected areas. They’re also working to get water purification systems to people who’ve lost their plumbing systems, and funding regional hospitals to help them rebuild.

Story by Emma Riva / Photo courtesy of World Central Kitchen

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An Election Cocktail: The Ballot Box

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October 8, 2024

A whiskey sour cocktail with an orange peel in it on a black background

When it comes to voting, the ballot box is of prime importance. The tally of what’s inside can have lasting impact for generations to come. While your cocktail may not impact generations, it can certainly impact your night and you’ll want to choose wisely.

For a cocktail with mystery and intrigue, we’ve adapted a clarified Whiskey Sour. Few drink categories are more mysterious than the almost mythic clarified cocktail. Though versions of clarification have existed since the 1600’s it still wows cocktail enthusiasts today. By incorporating milk into the cocktail, you’re causing an interaction between the dairy and citrus which causes the milk to curdle, trapping impurities and solids. After allowing the mixture to sit, the curds are then strained out, leaving behind a smooth, clear liquid. This process not only enhances the cocktail’s appearance but also adds a creamy, silky, texture and subtle flavor notes.

How to Register to Vote (or Check Your Registration)

Deadlines to register to vote are coming up at the end of October. Luckily, the US government put all the information about voting in one place. If you’re not registered, or you’re not sure about your registration, go to vote.gov. They’ll break it down for you by state, since every state is a little different. Also, make sure you share with people in your life who might need it information provided about how to vote with a disability, or how to vote while unhoused. Also, make sure all of your voting information is up to date, so when you do slip the form in that ballot box, or mail it in, your vote gets counted for sure!

If you live in Pennsylvania, check this article for state-specific instructions.

Register to Vote, Then Drink This Cocktail: The Ballot Box

Ingredients

12 oz of your favorite American whiskey
4.5 oz of lemon juice
4.5 oz of simple syrup
5.25 oz of whole milk

Instructions

Add whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a mixing glass and give it a few stirs to fully incorporate.
Pour milk into a separate mixing glass (Make sure it is at least 1/4 the total volume of your batch).
Slowly pour the cocktail into the milk.
Allow to sit for between 30 minutes and 8 hours (in fridge).
When the milk has been curdled by the citrus and you see a break in the milk slowly pour through a coffee filter or cheesecloth in a funnel.
The first 1/3 of the filtered mixture will likely be more cloudy – add that amount to the liquid passing through the filter.
If the first pass through the coffee filter is a little cloudy, filter again for clearer results.
Pour 2 – 3oz into your favorite rocks glass and add a large ice cube.
Express an orange or lemon twist over the cocktail.
Enjoy! Store the remainder of your clarified cocktail in the fridge for up to several weeks.

Recipe by Zack Durkin / Photography by Dave Bryce

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Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

By

Keith Recker

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October 8, 2024

A red bowl filled with shaved Brussels sprouts topped with cranberries, almonds and shredded cheese. Small accompanying bowls contain additional Brussels sprouts, shredded cheese and almonds.

Greens like in this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad are particularly welcome in the dead of winter. This one’s a beauty: a toss-up of textures, hues, and hearty flavors blended with a tangy-sweet dressing. You get that delightful pop of fresh cranberry, too. In addition to their wonderful flavor, they deliver valuable doses of vitamins C, A, K and E. Have a second helping!

Why Make Your Own Dressing for this Brussels Sprouts Salad?

Making your own dressing is easy, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll never want to buy it at the store again. Even if it might seem daunting, it’s a small step toward simple, fresh eating rather than relying on store-bought. All you have to do is set aside a small dish to whisk together the ingredients while you wait for the cranberries in this recipe to finish cooling. Of course, we won’t judge if you do choose to throw on a store-bought vinaigrette, but making dressing is one of the ways you can see cooking stripped down to its basics: oils, acidity, salt and the use of ratios to adjust how something tastes.

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Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Author: Cheryl Alters Jamison

Description

Take your Brussels sprouts to the next level!

Ingredients

Scale

For the salad:

1½ cups fresh cranberries
½ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup water
1½ lb Brussels sprouts
4 slices crisp, cooked bacon, crumbled
½ cup grated Manchego cheese
½ cup toasted sliced almonds
Dressing (See below)

For the dressing:

¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp vegetable oil or other neutral-flavored oil
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
½ tsp fine sea salt or more to taste

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Instructions

For the salad:

Place cranberries in a small heatproof bowl. Combine the sugar with the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir until sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and cool for about 10 minutes. Pour the sugar syrup over the cranberries. Let them sit for at least 1 hour, or cover and refrigerate up to overnight.
Trim the stem end of each Brussels sprout. Cut each sprout into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Transfer to large bowl. Toss together with half of the dressing. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
Add the bacon, and cheese, and toss again. Drizzle with more dressing, if you wish. Top with cranberries and almonds and serve.

For the dressing:

Combine the dressing ingredients.
Whisk together in a small bowl both oils, mustard, honey, and salt. Reserve.

Recipes by Cheryl Alters Jamison
Styling by Keith Recker and Julia Platt Leonard
Photography by Tira Howard

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Alexander Girard: Let the Sun In Explores Designer’s Legacy

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October 8, 2024

One of Alexander Girard's homes in Santa Fe — Images © Girard Studio, LLC

If you aren’t familiar with the awesome mid-century American designer Alexander Girard, now is your chance. (And, even if you do know his work, this is an opportunity to find out more.) A new 408-page book by Todd Oldham (president of L-7 Design Studios) and Kiera Coffee (prop stylist and set designer for major brands like IKEA, Target, Guinness, and Architectural Digest) titled Alexander Girard: Let the Sun In, explores Girard’s aesthetic in depth. They include interior and graphic design, his rugs and textiles, his architecture, and more.

As the title of the book suggests, Girard favored bright, vivacious colors. He was born in 1907 in New York to an American mother and a French-Italian father. After living and going to school in Florence and London, he moved to the States. Then, he opened his studio in 1932.

Alexander Girard: Let the Sun In Explores Designer’s Legacy

A room furnished by Alexander Girard, right: the new book — Left: furniture by GIrard; right: the new monograph.

Oldham and Coffee worked with Girard’s estate to really plumb the depths of his life’s work. Those included (among a great many others) beautifully bright textiles for renowned design firm Herman Miller and a re-design of Branff Airways (dubbed “The End of the Plain Plane”.)

Girard moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in the 1950s to have “the luxury of not being interrupted.” It was there that he designed some of his most beautiful work and began a large collection of folk-art that inspired him in his architectural practice. The Indian textile designer and activist Pupul Jayakar (quoted in Curbed) said about Girard’s first Santa Fe home: “It is a reflection of a very vigorous and vivid mind — a mind that is capable of contracting and expanding — which sees that it’s not necessary to find an answer but to be. It is a house that is alive.”

Two spreads from the new book, Alexander Girard: Let the Sun In.

Maybe you feel inspired by the works in Let the Sun In to let some brightness into your own home. If that’s the case, a selection of Girard’s furniture, rugs, pillows, and more can be found at Design Within Reach. Another way to get to know him is to visit the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe. He gifted his vast collection of folk art to the museum, and installed much of it in fantastical dioramas. Entitled Multiple Visions: A Common Bond, his permanently displayed dioramas provide insight into Girard’s creative process, and delight visitors in the process.

Story by Stephen Treffinger / Photos courtesy of Phaidon

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Gluten-Free Cranberry Coconut Macaroons

By

Abdul Rafay

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October 8, 2024

The cranberry coconut macaroons drizzled with white and dark chocolate on a dark brown background.

Cranberry and coconut are a perfect match, and these gluten-free macaroons bring the two together in the best way. Casey Renee of Confections by Casey Renee shares a recipe that’s crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, and finished with a drizzle of white and dark chocolate. They’re festive, simple to make, and a great choice for anyone who needs a gluten-free dessert.

The Magic of This Gluten-Free Cranberry Coconut Macaroons Recipe

The recipe uses shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and fresh cranberries for a bright, chewy cookie with just the right amount of sweetness. Whipped egg whites keep the texture light, while the chocolate drizzle adds a touch of richness. These cranberry coconut macaroons are easy to bake in batches, and they freeze well, so you can make them ahead of time for the holidays.

Perfect for a cookie tray, a gift box, or just a sweet bite with coffee, these macaroons are a treat that feels special without being complicated.

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Casey Renee’s Cranberry Coconut Macaroons

Author: Casey Renee

Description

These gluten‑free macaroons combine shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and tart cranberries for a chewy, festive treat. Baked until golden and finished with drizzles of white and dark chocolate, they’re a delightful holiday sweet that’s both simple and elegant.

Ingredients

Scale

14 oz unsweetened shredded coconut (I like to use unsweetened shredded coconut, but if you only have sweetened, then omit the powdered sugar.)
14 oz sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup finely chopped cranberries (you can pulse in a food processor, but don’t go too fine or they will be watery)
⅓ cup powdered sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
3 egg whites
½ tsp salt
White chocolate and dark chocolate for drizzling

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Instructions

Combine the coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla in a bowl.
Separately combine the cranberries, powdered sugar and cornstarch. Fold both together gently.
Whip the egg whites and salt to medium stiff peaks and fold into the coconut mixture in three increments.
Scoop with a ¼ measuring cup or ice cream scooper, pack tightly and bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Until golden.
Let cool and drizzle with white and dark melted chocolate. (Can be made and frozen ahead of time.)

Recipe by Casey Renee
Photo Courtesy of Brittany Spinelli

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So, JELL-O Makes Home Décor Now

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October 7, 2024

A woman sits in a green JELL-O chair, eating some JELL-O

As the old ad slogan stated, “There’s always room for JELL-O.” But is there always room for JELL-O décor?

The brand reinterpreted their sweet, colorful, and wobbly dessert as furniture, which could be super fun for a dorm room or a teen bedroom—even a den or poolhouse if adults are feeling particularly nostalgic. (Seriously, if I could go back in time, I’d have put one of these in my dorm room for sure.)

So, JELL-O Makes Home Décor Now, In Case You Ever Wanted to Sit on a Jelly Mold

The inflatable chairs, called the Jelly Collection by JELL-O, are rounded and look like they were just unmolded, available in four really vibrant colors, each representing one of the brand’s best-selling flavors: lime green, strawberry red, lemon yellow, and orange orange. (Pictured above).

JELL-O, by the way, has been around for more than 150 years, and has recently been rebranding itself—logo, packaging, vibe—in a more modern and playful way. This collection is a continuation of that, along with appealing to what they claim is a renewed interest in inflatable furniture.

The chairs were available for a limited time, for $30 each, on Amazon, but sold out in a matter of hours!

For more information—including when they will be for sale again (the company has said they will be re-stocking in the near future)—check out @jello on Instagram and TikTok.

Story by Stephen Treffinger / Photography by Noah Feck

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A Cute Room Accent, Colorful and Affordable Drawer Hardware

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October 7, 2024

Given how much people look for small items to serve as a cute room accent, you’d think sets of colorful pulls, knobs, and handles would be widely available. But, aside from inexpensive sets you can hunt down online, they’re not all that commonplace. Fortunately, a handful of high-end companies produce them, and they’re worth seeking out.

They’re an obvious choice for places like kids’ rooms, bathrooms, powder rooms, and in the kitchens of midcentury restorations. But why not have a little fun? Put them in your more traditional spaces, or less obvious areas like a den or a bedroom?

A Cute Room Accent, Colorful and Affordable Drawer Hardware

Rous

Their Unique Essentials collection comes in six colors. There’s hite, black, green, rose, blue, and copper. So, they can play well with a wide range of colors. For the bathroom, there’s even a coordinating set of cups and soap dishes.

Schoolhouse

A small selection of gems—knobs and drawer pulls—that have a decidedly mod look and feel, in several metallics and a handful of colors. With solid brass, they will definitely stand the test of time and do it with flair as a cute room accent.

Plank Hardware

Among the site’s more traditional offerings can be found a handful of adorable pulls and knobs in brass, lilac, yellow, white, and more. They have a whimsical feeling that would be fun for kids and kid-like adults.

Story by Stephen Treffinger

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Seared Pork Chops with Cranberry-Bourbon Sauce

By

Keith Recker

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October 7, 2024

A plate with a seared pork chop topped with cranberry-bourbon sauce, alongside small bowls of shaved Brussels sprouts salad.

The classic pairing of pork chops and cranberry shines here, with a hint of the smoky richness of bourbon. Just before serving, a nubbly gremolata of pistachios and parsley adds a contrasting flash of color and texture. Like our Cranberry Orange Fig Compote, this dish’s gremolata is a wonderful addition to a sandwich, or an excellent spread for a luscious cocktail hour cheeseboard.

Why Pair Pork Chops with Berries?

The natural sweetness of berries contrasts well with the savory, rich flavors of pork. This balance enhances the overall taste of cranberry pork chops. Many berries, such as cranberries and raspberries, have a slight acidity that can cut through the fattiness of pork, making each bite more enjoyable. In addition, cranberries add a juicy component to dishes, providing a refreshing burst of flavor that pairs well with the tender texture of cooked pork.

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Seared Pork Chops with Cranberry-Bourbon Sauce

Author: Cheryl Alters Jamison