There are tons of blog groups you can join that give exciting monthly or weekly challenges, but my favorite kitchen challenge is self assigned. I love going into restaurants and carefully examining and tasty the ingredients and flavors that are used, so that I can try to recreate the dish at home. Whether I search for a recipe that sounds similar or create one myself, the experience is always fun, and produces something new and tasty.

Not long ago, Pati joined a friend for dinner and ordered a delicious butternut squash ravioli. She was so impressed by the dish that she couldn’t wait to try her hand at making it when she returned home. After experimenting with different flavors, Pati came up with her own version, Pumpkin Tortelli with a Lemon Cream Sauce (Tortelli is essentially that same thing as ravioli except that it is often shaped like a triangle). To finish the dish off Pati topped the tortelli with a bit of white and black Oregon truffle, and her husband Bruce prepared a beautiful salad with a white balsamic and champagne vinaigrette dressing. Yum!

Diner with Pati and Bruce is always delicious and exciting, so be sure to stop by and check out their amazing dinner spreads.