Prairie Grass Cafe Celebrates the Fall with Delicious Pumpkin Specials

With fall at our doorstep, the scent of fresh pumpkin and autumnal spices have started wafting through the kitchen at Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd. Northbrook, IL 847-205-4433). "The first batch of heirloom pumpkins just arrived," says Northbrook's Prairie Grass Cafe chef/owner Sarah Stegner. "We have our pumpkins specially grown for us by farmer Tracey Vowell from a local farm, Three Sisters Garden, in Kankakee, IL," she says. "It's a special time of year. We use between 1,000- and 1,500 lbs each season."

On the menu.

Pumpkins dishes typically run mid-September through November, as long as the pumpkins are available. Expect to find offerings including: Grilled Honey Glazed Heirloom "Luxury Pie Pumpkins" with Capriole Farm Goat Cheese and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds ($8.50); Three Sisters Garden Heirloom Luxury Pie Pumpkin Soup ($5.50); Maple Leaf Farm Crispy Half Duck with Roasted Pumpkin and Heirloom Kale with Huckleberries Sauce ($28); Roasted Pumpkin Fritters with Pumpkin Honey Butter ($8), Stuffed Pumpkin French Toast with Grilled Pumpkin Wedges ($12) and Sarah's Mom's Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream ($7.50).

Prairie Grass Cafe uses two pumpkin varieties. The first, the Heirloom Luxury Pie Pumpkin, is a beautiful pumpkin that was introduced in 1893 by Johnson & Stokes. The Heirloom Luxury Pie Pumpkin is a lovely golden fruit with white netting, typically in the 6lb range and perfect for pie making. In fact, this is one of the best tasting pie pumpkins you can use; with very sweet and smooth flesh, it's a favorite of all who use it," according to SeedSavers.org.

Sarah says it's petite and has a smooth silky texture and intense pumpkin flavor. "It's also perfect for our grilled pumpkin."
The second variety used by Prairie Grass Cafe is a large pumpkin called Kankakee Brown, says Stegner. "It's a special variety that only Three Sisters Farm grows." It has rich flavor and the meat is dense, not stringy.

About Three Sisters Farm
Tracey Vowell and Kathe Roybal worked in the restaurant industry until they grew tired of the hard work and decided on a career change. They bought their nine-acre farm in 2000, and named it after the Native American practice of growing corn, beans, and squash in the same mounds - a sophisticated, sustainable system that provided long-term soil fertility and a healthy diet then, and still does. The partners (that's Tracey on left, Kathe at right) focus on specialty vegetables like microgreens (which they grow year-round), pea shoots, heirloom tomatoes, summer and winter squashes, herbs, fresh beans (shelled at the Market) and huitlacoche, a mushroom particularly prized in Mexican cuisine.

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Three Sisters Garden Heirloom Luxury Pie Pumpkin Soup
By Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris

 

(serves 4-6 people)

"Tracey from Three Sisters Garden agreed to grow Heirloom Luxury Pie Pumpkins for me.  They are less stringy and less watery then a regular pumpkin.  They have intense pumpkin flavor.  Each year we have sold out on all her pumpkins.  This year she grew 1500 lbs for us!  They are really delicious!"

Ingredients:
3 cups pumpkin, peeled, seeds removed and cut into 2" chunks
½ cup onion, peeled and chopped
2 Tablespoons olive oil
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
Salt
8 cups chicken stock
½ cup heavy cream

Method:
In a large soup pot sauté the pumpkin in the olive oil with the onions, thyme, bay leaves and salt.  Cook over medium heat until the onions are transparent.  Do not add color to the vegetables.

Add the chicken stock and simmer for 30 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender  and the liquid reduces by about a ¼ of it's original volume.

Add the cream and simmer another 5 minutes.

Remove from the stove.  Take the thyme and bay leaves out of the soup.  Blend well.

Serve hot with toasted pumpkin seeds and popcorn.

November and Holiday Tastings and Specials at Chicago French Market

Beaujolais Nouveau Party at the Market, November 18

Chicago French Market upholds the tradition of Beaujolais Nouveau in which, at midnight on the third Thursday of November, France erupts in a massive celebration honoring the unveiling of the Beaujolais Nouveau wine. The Beaujolais Nouveau party at Chicago French Market takes place 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 18.

Enjoy the 2010 release of Beaujolais Nouveau, a six week old red wine produced in the Beaujolais region of France, amidst a backdrop of live accordion music by Pat Spaeth. Along with the wine, samplings of international charcuterie, cheese and desserts are served. The party is complimentary for all those who attend and the first 200 participants receive a reusable Chicago French Market tote bag.

Those who are 21 years old and up (with a valid ID) may enjoy a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau, but all are welcome to an evening of music, food tasting and fun. Stop by the 27 Chicago French Market vendors and check out the variety of foods and items offered.

November Tastings at Delightful Pastries
Stop by Delightful Pastries every Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to get a jump on holiday treats. On Friday, Nov. 12 and Nov. 19, Delightful Pastries offers free samples of its delicious sourdough breads, brownies, bars, macaroons and kolaczki, and homemade triple berry preserves.

Delightful Pastries offers a number of seasonal pies and pastries, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Pie selections include Apple Caramel Pie, Honey Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie and Key Lime Pie, all made with an all butter crust ($20-$24). Delightful Pastries also features a Mini pastries Tray with an assortment of éclairs, fruit tarts, cream puffs, financiers, mini tortes, tiramisu and more ($40). Other Thanksgiving selections include Cranberry Angel Food Cake, Cranberry Bread Pudding, Cranberry Orange Relish and Potato Pie ($7.99-$30). Orders may be placed by contacting the Chicago French Market location at (312) 234-9644.

Weekly Specials at City Fresh Market
City Fresh Market, known for its fresh poultry, fish and grass-fed beef offers specials now through Saturday, November 13. Specials include Fresh Chicken Cordon Bleu, all natural chicken breast filled with black forest ham and Swiss cheese ($4.49 ea); Stuffed Pork Loin, fresh pork loin filled with spinach and feta cheese ($5.49/pound); Scottish Salmon Fillet ($11.99/pound); Live or Freshly Steamed Whole Lobster ($19.99 ea.); and Fresh Deep Fried Breaded Shrimp ($8.99/pound). Note, that requests for steamed lobster must be placed in advance.

Contact the Chicago French Market location of City Fresh Market to place orders, or call (312) 575-0230.

Demos at Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine

On Thursday, November 11, attend a demonstration 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. by Quince and Apple, a husband and wife team based out of Madison, WI who make small batch preserves.


On Wednesday, November 17, enjoy a demo by Willie Lehner of Bleu Mont Dairy in Wisconsin. Attendees will taste a cheese called Alpine Renegade, as well as three-year cheddar. The demo is 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.


Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine is also accepting pre-orders for Thanksgiving, including its Cranberry Pecan bread which is only seasonally available. The loaves can be baked for pick up Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 22 through Nov. 24. Beautiful and delicious artisan cheese trays and food-friendly wines are also available, and perfect for holiday parties.


All catering orders need to be placed 48 hours in advance. Contact Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine at its Chicago French Market location at (312) 454-2200 for more information.

Thanksgiving Pies at Vanille Patisserie
Award-winning Vanille Patisserie offers pumpkin pie topped with cinnamon whipped cream for those with a sweet-tooth. Pre-pay from now until November 15 and get a discounted price of $18 per pie. After November 15, pies return to the regular price of $24. Place an order by calling (312) 575-9963 or visit Vanille Patisserie at Chicago French Market.

Sweet Miss Giving’s Fall and Holiday Gifting

Sweeten up a holiday party with catering from Sweet Miss Giving’s or a special gift box. Seasonal gift ideas include Recipe in a Jar, all that’s needed for a perfect batch of Cranberry Almond Oatmeal Cookies ($15); Cupcake Sampler of one dozen cupcakes ($36); Handmade Chocolates, one dozen rich and delicious handmade chocolate truffles ($18); Perfect Cookies and Perfect Brownies ($25-$30); and SMG Samplers featuring a variety of Sweet Miss Giving’s indulgent brownies, biscotti, Mountain Mix nuts, homemade Hot Cocoa mix, and more ($60-$70).

Holiday gift ideas may be ordered at Sweet Miss Giving’s Chicago French Market location. Call (312) 575-0212 for more information, and learn how to ship most holiday gift orders.

Holiday Centerpieces from Les Fleurs
Right now Les Fleurs is featuring autumn bouquets with colorful arrangements of mums, sunflowers and more ($8-18).


Les Fleurs is now accepting pre-orders for holiday arrangements and centerpieces. Items may be ordered by phone or in-person at the Chicago French Market location. Holiday centerpieces range $30 an up. Call Les Fleurs at (312) 463-1111.

Pumpkin Butter Latte at Lavazza Espression
Save the season with Lavazza Espression’s Pumpkin Butter Latte, a comforting blend of artisan crafted pumpkin butter, steamed milk and smooth espresso. Warm your hands with this seasonal specialty for just $3.45. Contact Lavazza Espression at (312) 207-0500.

Rush Hour Concerts in the Market

Every Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., enjoy complimentary music from a local artist. This Friday, November 12, hear authentic French bistro accordion artist Pat Spaeth. On Friday, November 19, listen to the eclectic acoustic stylings of Jenny Bienemann. There will not be a rush hour concert on Friday, November 26 due to the holiday weekend.

Announcing Free Wi-Fi at the Market
Chicago French Market is pleased to announce that it now has complimentary Wi-Fi for market patrons to use while they enjoy offerings from their favorite vendors.

About Chicago French Market
Chicago French Market is a European-inspired market offering an array of local produce, meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheese, wine, chocolates, pastas, artisan-made goods, specialty drinks, flowers, prepared meals and a seating area for customers. Chicago French Market’s diverse group of local vendors stay open year-round, six days per week, and is located within the new MetraMarket development at 131 N. Clinton St. (between Washington and Randolph Streets). For more information, visit www.chicagofrenchmarket.com.

Celebrate National Pumpkin Day October 26

The leaves are changing colors, the temperature is starting to drop and we're finally starting to see the signs of fall. With fall comes a whole new season of holidays...Halloween and Thanksgiving of course, but October 26 marks National Pumpkin Day, and these local restaurants have come up with their own unique take on the seasonal favorite:

Birch River Grill (75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights; 847-427-4242) features a Pumpkin Cheesecake dessert with Caramel Sauce and Whipped Cream, dusted with Cinnamon ($6).

Dine (733 W. Madison St., Chicago; 312-602-2100) offers an Organic Beet Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese, Toasted Pumpkin Seed and Peppercress ($6), and a Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart, with Candied Pumpkin Seed Ice Cream and a Cinnamon Chocolate Sauce ($6).

The newly opened MORE cupcake boutique (1 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago; 312-951-0001) is offering two Pumpkin Spice cupcake variations: a Pumpkin Spice cupcake with a Saigon Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting, garnished with Housemade Cinnamon Candy Chards, and a Pumpkin Spice cupcake with a Housemade Marshmallow filling, frosted with a Cinnamon Glaze and garnished with Pepita Brittle ($3.50/each).

Tallulah (4359 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago; 773-942-7585) offers a Pumpkin Seed Crusted Fluke with Sweet Potato Puree, Boar Bacon, Tuscan Kale and Honey-Verjus Emulsion ($25), and Grilled Prawns with Stuffed Baby Pumpkin Chanterelles, Brussels Sprouts and Cipollini Onions ($21).

Not had enough pumpkin? October 21 marks "National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day," so be sure to check out Birch River Grill and Dine's variations on the tasty dessert!

(Photo: Getty Images)