​There is nothing more exciting (or nerve racking) than gathering around the table with family and friends for a beautiful Thanksgiving feast. And what better way to make Turkey Day memorable than with tried-and-true tips from the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten? Nobody knows how to make elegant entertaining effortless and care-free like Ina!

When I need to unwind, I watch episodes of Barefoot Contessa on repeat. There is something so calm and relaxed about her cooking style. It makes me feel like I can whip up a culinary masterpiece with minimal effort too. I have been using many of her techniques in my new kitchen and can assure you, if I can do it, so can you. 

In fact, for an easy Thanksgiving appetizer this year, I'm making her Thyme-Roasted Marcona Almonds paired with a cheese plate and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. What is a Thanksgiving celebration without a little bubbly am I right?

Personally, I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Just a couple days ago I was telling my sister I was "thankful" for her husband helping us move our mattress to the second floor of our new house. My little niece shouted out "Thankful! That is a word on my list!" She was referring to her word list in kindergarten. It's pretty cute that she is already recognizing words in conversation. Not sure I paid that much attention to my word list at that age, but hey, we might have a future wordsmith on our hands!

Aside from moving into my very first home, I am so thankful for having family close by. I love watching my niece and nephew grow up and relying on my sister for that extra boost when times are tough. It's also been a blessing to have her on board as an associate copywriter as our business expands. I cannot believe how much Amy Puchaty Communications has grown! We've had our biggest year yet, and are working with a bunch of new clients in luxury real estate, construction, technology, and more.

Which is precisely why this year, I am going into the holiday season with  gratitude. And of course, a few of Ina's fabulous recipes up my sleeve. If you are lucky enough to get tickets, you can catch Ina Garten in Denver at the Paramount Theatre, Tuesday, December 4th at 7:30pm. 

Here's wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheers,

AP

Amy Puchaty is a luxury real estate writer and communications specialist whose marketing campaigns and copywriting work have appeared in numerous print and digital publications including The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Inman News, The Denver Post, and Dallas Business Journal. Why Amy Puchaty? Because it’s selling season. Follow Amy at www.amypuchaty.com #AtHomeWithAmy #AmyPuchaty #LuxuryRealEstateWriter

​Nothing says summer like an icy cold cocktail and I have the recipe for the libation of the summer -  pretty in pink Frosé! Yes you heard that right. Frosé (Frozen Rosé). Something about this drink just screams happiness in a cup. One up yourself by serving it in a chilled coupe glass, my personal favorite for its elegant look and feel. Sidenote, I served Mumm Napa rosé out of coupe glasses at my wedding and it elevated the whole cocktail hour. If you've every thrown a party, you know it's the little details that make a huge difference and keep people talking.

Now I cannot take credit for this recipe. It actually comes from one of my favorite online foodie destinations: bonappétit.com. But I will take credit for keeping the rosé craze going strong among my friends. Ask yourself, is rosé ever out of style? I think not. You can see the full original recipe here. I have also listed bon appétit's Frosé recipe below for your convenience.

To begin, bon appétit says "Choose a full-flavored, full-bodied, dark-colored rosé for freezing. It will lose some of its color and will be a bit diluted after freezing and blending; you want something that can hold its own."

Ingredients

• 1 750 ml bottle hearty, bold rosé (such as a Pinot Noir or Merlot rosé)
• ½ cup sugar
• 8 ounces strawberries, hulled, quartered
• 2½ ounces fresh lemon juice
  
  

Preparation
Pour rosé into a 13x9" pan and freeze until almost solid (it won't completely solidify due to the alcohol), so make sure to freeze at least 6 hours. Meanwhile, bring sugar and ½ cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan; cook, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Add strawberries, remove from heat, and let sit 30 minutes to infuse syrup with strawberry flavor. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl (do not press on solids); cover and chill until cold, about 30 minutes. Scrape rosé into a blender. Add lemon juice, 3½ ounces strawberry syrup, and 1 cup crushed ice and purée until smooth. Transfer blender jar to freezer and freeze until frosé is thickened (aim for milkshake consistency), 25–35 minutes. Blend again until frosé is slushy. Divide among glasses. Do Ahead: Rosé can be frozen 1 week ahead.
 
This is a cocktail I would definitely make ahead of time. Then, when it's time to celebrate, whip out the glasses, add a few light hors d'oeuvres, turn up the French music, and voilà, you have an easy breezy party-ready display that is sure to be a hit at your next summer soirée. What are your favorite summertime cocktails? Let us know in the comments or better yet post a link to your recipe.

Cheers, 

AP

Amy Puchaty is a luxury real estate writer and communications specialist whose marketing campaigns and copywriting work have appeared in numerous print and digital publications including The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Inman News, The Denver Post, and Dallas Business Journal. Why Amy Puchaty? Because it’s selling season. Follow Amy at www.amypuchaty.com #AtHomeWithAmy #AmyPuchaty #LuxuryRealEstateWriter

​Ingredients

• 1 (3-lb.) sugar pumpkin, butternut squash, or kabocha squash
• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 large onion)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped celery (about 3 stalks)
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 4 thyme sprigs, plus more for topping
• 1 sage sprig
• 1 oregano sprig
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 4 tablespoons sour cream
• 3 tablespoons whole milk
• Pomegranate seeds for topping (optional)
• Pumpkin seeds for topping (optional)
  
  

Tools you'll need
A good soup pot or saucepan, large bowl, sharp knife, baking sheet, blender.

From Amy's Kitchen:
Are you one of those home cooks who feels like every time you need a recipe you jump on Pinterest only to find the blogger is going on and on before giving you the actual steps and ingredients? A little impatient? Yeah, me too. That's why when I share a recipe, I'll put it smack dab at the top where you can find it in a snap, and I'll always include a link to the original recipe where applicable. Now, onto what's happening in my Kitchen.

​Fall is one of my favorite times of year! From hay rides at the pumpkin patch, to kick-off at the big game, crisp Autumn air, cozy sweaters, and Aspen leaves are kind of my thing. It reminds me of when I used to come home from school upon the first Autumn's chill, and my mother would have a delicious batch of homemade chili or soup simmering on the stove - the enticing aroma hit me the minute I opened the front door.

Soup has a way of bringing people together. It makes us feel better when we are under the weather, and provides a level of nourishing comfort that few meals can. Soup for me, is loaded with memories - like the time my mother-in-law served Ethan and I a soothing bowl of chicken and rice soup after a long day of air travel. Or the fact that nearly every time I come in from out of town to my grandmother's house she has a steaming pot of homemade soup simmering on the stove, ready and waiting on us for dinner.

Oh and that time years ago when I worked at Fuller Sotheby's International Realty's Denver Tech Center office. We had the most gracious real estate agent who would bring in crockpots of gourmet soup once a week to share with the busy administrators and marketing staff. You have no idea how many times we skipped lunch because we were all so busy, but this gesture was so touching, and the entire marketing department looked forward to it every week. These memories might be why I'm often on the hunt for a new fabulous soup to cook.

Last season I stumbled across this beautiful Roasted Pumpkin Soup recipe in Southern Living magazine and I'm not going to lie - I was a bit intimidated at first. The only thing "pumpkin" I ever cooked with came from a can. Does roasting pumpkin seeds after carving count? Anyway, I decided to give it a try - plus it gave me the perfect excuse to break out my new Le Creuset pot that I received as a wedding gift from my sister.

With a little prep and patience, you can have this dish on the table in under two hours, the majority of your time is spent baking with a little chopping/blending mixed in. But I promise, the minute your spoon hits the bowl, this decadent, luscious soup will have you at hello. It's light and velvety, savory yet mild, and altogether a great warming soup that's perfect for serving when temperatures start to dip. Southern Living calls it, "As close as you'll get to serving fall in a bowl" and adds that "roasting the pumpkin gives it a deep caramelized flavor that's delicious." I couldn't agree more!

My husband, who is quite the food critic and not much of a soup fan, LOVES this Roasted Pumpkin Soup recipe, and upon first try went back for seconds! I plan to make this little gem for a light dinner later this week and pair it with a crisp salad and tall glass of wine. And I'm willing to bet, if I can get my meat-and-potatoes guy to give this a whirl, you can get your picky eaters to try it too. Delicious and nutritious, like fall in a bowl - now that's a win in my book. I'd love to hear how your soup turns out, and if you put your own spin on it. Let me know in the comments!

Cheers and Happy Fall,

AP

Amy Puchaty is a luxury real estate writer and communications specialist whose marketing campaigns and copywriting work has appeared in numerous print and digital publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Denver Post, and Dallas Business Journal. Why Amy Puchaty? Because it’s selling season. Follow Amy at www.amypuchaty.com #AtHomeWithAmy #AmyPuchaty #LuxuryRealEstateWriter