Delicious - Delightful - Cranberry Cordial

You know the saying..."what came first the chicken or the egg?"  A lifelong debate has gone on about this very basic question.  In this vein, I propose, "what makes a meal fabulous, the food or the beverage?".  Come on you foodies out there...can you even really think about sitting down to a sumptuous feast without that perfect glass of .......something?! 

Well, that perfect glass of something has become somewhat of a journey, a passion....a creation in our house.
Just as I seek to find that creation, recipe...complete meal that inspires awe....we are on the same journey to create the "aperitif" that opens the door to the dining experience.    According to the culinary arts dictionary:
" an Aperitif is a cocktail or alcoholic beverage that is specifically served before a meal or with a small appetizer, the purpose of an aperitif is to stimulate or arouse the appetite"...  AND IT WORKS!!
I have written here in the past about our creation of several types of aperitifs,  so now with  Fall's arrival....and the cranberry season... there are delicious bottles of Cranberry Cordial being created in the kitchen.  The color is stunning, the taste is divine, the recipe is private (my husband Pete's creation)....and the gift of sharing with our friends and family is a pleasure.  So this past weekend after a very busy work week in the kitchen....we turned to play.  Cranberry cordial is bottled, racked and ready to share. 
Okay, "so what makes a meal fabulous...the food or the beverage?"
Let's continue to ponder this over a glass of crisp, spiced and smooth...cranberry cordial!

IMPROV IN THE KITCHEN....."Yes, and.."

So excited today to share a recipe that found its way into my head...and then onto the plates of our guests this weekend.  We created MAPLE-PUMPKIN CANNOLI SUNDAES WITH TOASTED WALNUTS AND CARAMEL.  Somewhere in my search for all things pumpkin and delicious, sweet or savory - I must have come across a recipe for Pumpkin Cannolis...and here is where my Theatre background and "Improv" comes in.  Pumpkin Cannolis sound so scrumptious, but while I was envisioning these treats, I had a little "Improv" going on in my head.  One of the rules of Improv is to affirm an idea "the Pumpkin Cannolis"(that is the YES) and then add to it.
So the train of thought went like this...Wow Pumpkin Cannolis, YES,  that sounds great, AND we could add Maple...AND we could add Ice Cream...AND,  if we are adding Ice Cream,  we should add Caramel Sauce, AND what is Caramel Sauce without toasted nuts....Okay you get it!

MAPLE-PUMPKIN CANNOLI SUNDAE WITH TOASTED WALNUTS AND CARAMEL...it is a little extravagant...a lot delicious..and just downright fun!!!  The recipe for this fabulous dessert is featured in our "Recipe of the Month" on the Kitchens Bounty Website...
Truly simply to prepare, fun to assemble, lovely to look at and Yummy to eat...and if you find yourself IMPROV-ING on this recipe....send me an email and share the game,  terribergman@kitchensbounty.com.
And a nod to my wonderful friend  Michael...who does IMPROV like no one I have ever seen!
Loving the Fall, bring the Pumpkins on!
Best greetings my friends...Terri