Art of Natural Living

Enjoying the Green Life

Savory Tomato Butternut Soup

By Inger Nov 9, 2025 Soup No Comments

With two delicious flavors, Tomato Butternut Soup is a healthy and tasty addition to your fall table. Happy soup season!

I love all the pumpkin and winter squash recipes in fall! They’re almost universally tasty–plus you get a generous serving of healthy orange vegetables. The one downside is that a lot of them are pretty similar. And I love variety in my soups!

So I was excited when a recent book club meeting featured a Tomato Butternut Soup. It was delicious, unique and had the added benefit of delivering a healthy dose of tomato too. Add a veggie!

Our hostess got the recipe from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook and modified it slightly, as have I. The vegan (if you use a vegetable broth) soup starts with a mirepoix, a mix of carrots, celery and onion that is chopped fine and sauteed without browning.

It’s a common base for many soups since it’s known to deliver a big punch of flavor. And while the chopping prep sounds hard, a food processor makes it quick and easy. Which is perfect for getting out to catch the last glorious colors–or the joys of any season! Read more

Pear Compote with Port

By Inger Nov 7, 2025 Condiments, Preserving & More, Fruits & Vegetables 2 Comments

Almost like a grown-up applesauce, Pear Compote with Port combines pears and dried fruit for a tasty fall side. Can be canned too!

I think children are on to something. Plate up an entrée, then drop a scoop of applesauce next to it. What’s better than a fruity side dish that’s also healthful! Like today’s Pear Compote!

Now for some (undeserved) reason, it can feel like pears are the red headed stepchild of the fall harvest. They don’t get the accolades of apples or the praise of pumpkins. But give them a chance and they’re glorious–sweet, juicy and flavorful!

Originally I intended to use Pear Compote as a tasty side (we served it with Chicken Kiev today). But I quickly realized that it could go almost anywhere you’d use a fruit sauce. Top ice cream or angel food cake, spread on waffles, or make an impromptu tart by filling a ready-made pie crust (this was amazing!).

Not a canner? Halve the recipe and eat it up within a week or so (we ate a pint in a sitting, ahem). Or pop into your freezer for a future treat! Read more

Cranberry Salsa

By Inger Nov 3, 2025 Appetizers, Condiments, Preserving & More, Cooking & Recipes 6 Comments

This cranberry salsa is bright, fresh and flavorful. Serve it with chips, as a side for meats, or on cream cheese for a tasty appetizer.

Recently I had a fun opportunity–to visit an organic cranberry farm in northern Wisconsin! There, I witnessed the production of one of the only three native Wisconsin fruits currently farmed commercially. Blueberries and concord grapes are the others.

Visiting a cranberry harvest been on my bucket list forever! It was fun to see the red studded fields amid the autumn golds and watch the cranberries bounce in the sorting machine.

And as an added bonus I came home with five pounds of brilliant red berries! Plus, a lot of recipes—hooray!

Now one of these recipes was for cranberry salsa. This was exciting since I love fruit salsas. They’re lovely as a stand-alone dip but also as side for meat, poultry or fish. Yes, the bright sweet fruit mix is a perfect balance to a rich entrée.

Happy fall! Read more

No Torch Creme Brulee

By Inger Oct 19, 2025 Desserts & Snacks 24 Comments

With a creamy custard base and a crunchy sugar topping, No Torch Crème Brulee is easy to make at home–and can be finished under the broiler.

Crème Brulee is a classic restaurant dessert. And it’s one that always feels special. But it isn’t something that comes to mind when you think of an easy home dessert.

First there’s the baked custard, which has a bit of a reputation. So I was fearful that I’d end up with scrambled eggs… or watery goo.

Then there is torching the top, which meant buying a new piece of equipment—and playing with fire.

But since it’s my husband’s absolute favorite dessert—and high up on my list too, I knew I had to give it a try. And I learned that the home version is actually not difficult. And absolutely delightful when it’s done. Read more

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