Indian Summer Picnic

We're well into October here in West Virginia, yet we're experiencing August temperatures.  Local farm fresh ingredients abound.  Today's picnic menu of Fiesta Chicken and Vegetables with Apple Cinnamon Rolls feature local ingredients across the menu.  There's cage free chicken, eggs, fresh corn, red peppers, tomatoes, herbs, pea sprouts, wheat berries, maple syrup and apples in the pantry and in the foods. 

I make the low sodium Taco Seasoning in bulk and store in a tight container.  For the chicken breast, which we shared, I sprinkled a light coating of the seasoning on the raw skinless piece, and baked at 325 F. for 20 minutes.  The cooked breast was refrigerated overnight, then sliced thinly with an electric knife, stored cold and transported to plate at table side.

Homemade Taco Seasoning 

(Makes 3 1/2 cups)

2 cup chili powder
2/3 cup ground cumin
2/3 cup garlic powder
2 tablespoon 2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 tablespoon 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
 Mix and store in closed container.    
The salad did not need a dressing.  I simply mixed cooked black beans, cooked corn cut off the cob, diced red pepper and yellow tomato with snipped chives and garlic. The farmers market fresh pea sprouts added a little crunch and flavor.

For the apple cinnamon roll, I made my Egg Dough, substituting spelt flour (also whole grain) for much of the whole wheat flour. The rolled dough is brushed with melted buttery spread and brown sugar, then sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar, before cutting in strips to wrap around cooked apple slices and bake. These were baked in mini pie pans.  My rolls have very little added sugar, yet are a treat when spread with this Mascarpone Cream.  I froze the whipped "cream" and spread the icing at table side. 

Mascarpone Cream
Whip mascarpone, syrup and evaporated milk in an electric mixer bowl.  Store in a small covered container in refrigerator.
1/4 cup mascarpone
2 teaspoons maple syrup
3 tablespoon evaporated skim milk

My summer flowers have bloomed again.

Our picnic today was at Deep Creek (Maryland) State Park.  The leaves are changing and will be close to peak for the Autumn Glory Festival.