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As the evenings grow cooler and the leaves start to turn, my kitchen becomes my favourite place to be – the warmth of the oven, the scent of spices, and the simple joy of comfort food bubbling away.

This week in In the Den Kitchen, I’m sharing a few autumn staples that feel like a warm hug – nostalgic, homely, and made for sharing.

First up is my Mum’s pumpkin soup. This soup is pure comfort – a recipe handed down from my mum, with a little twist I added along the way: roasted veggies.

Annette’s Pumpkin Soup

This soup is pure comfort a recipe handed down from my mum.

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Course Soup

Ingredients

  

• 1/4 large pumpkin any variety
• 1 onion chopped
• 2 potatoes peeled
• butter about 1 tablespoon
• 2-3 cups chicken stock use 2 cups for thicker soup
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp nutmeg optional

Instructions

 

• Skin and chop pumpkin and potatoes into chunks.
For more flavour roast your vegetables before continuing.
• Melt butter in a large saucepan, add vegetables & onion and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add stock, orange juice, curry powder, and nutmeg (if used). Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until soft.
• Drain, keeping the liquid, then mash or blend until smooth, gradually adding liquid for your desired consistency.
• Warm through and serve with a swirl of cream.
Sprinkle with toasted seeds, crispy bacon or croutons for a little crunch.

The next recipe I’m sharing is something Mum liked to make if we were having family or friends round for lunch. It feeds a few and if you’re only feeding a family of 4, there’s usually leftovers for lunch the next day. You can also halve the recipe if you want to quite successfully.
Serve it with a fresh garden salad.
This recipe uses British scones not US ones. Here’s a great recipe if you don’t have your own, usually passed down through the family.

Crusted Chicken Noble

A delicious, hearty chicken casserole topped with scones

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Course Main Course

Equipment

• 1 large saucepan
• 1 casserole dish

Ingredients

  

• 2 whole cooked chickens see note 1
• 1 1/4 cups chicken stock
• 85 g butter
• 1 onion chopped
• 28 g plain flour
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1/3 cup dry white wine see note 2
• 2 carrots cooked & diced
• 1 cup peas cooked
• 1/4 cup red capsicum diced
• 220 g tin mushrooms in butter sauce see note 3
• salt to taste
• cayenne pepper to taste
• 1 batch uncooked scones

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 200C (fan forced)
• Melt butter in saucepan. Add onion & cook until soft & golden.
• Add flour & stir until smooth.
• Gradually stir in stock, bring to the boil, thicken then simmer 2-3 minutes
• Remove from heat, add all other ingredients. Season with salt & pepper. Reheat gently.
• Pour into casserole dish and top with uncooked scones.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes until scones are cooked and golden.

Notes

1. BBQ chickens from the supermarket are idea for this recipe.

2. Replace wine with more stock if you prefer no alcohol.

3. Substitute with chopped, cooked mushrooms if you prefer. Or leave them out if you don’t like mushrooms.

Finally a recipe that’s not Mum’s but one I’m sure she would probably have cooked a variation of at some time – Eve’s pudding. Since it’s not one of my personal family recipes, I’ll just be sharing the link to the site where I found it.

Eve’s Pudding (image and recipe) from Scottish Scran

As autumn settles in and the days invite us to slow down, I hope these recipes bring a little warmth and comfort to your own kitchen. Whether you’re cooking from memory, sharing a meal with loved ones, or simply enjoying the quiet ritual of preparing something nourishing, there’s something special about food that connects us – to our past, to each other, and to the season itself.

Tasmania’s creative community is deeply rooted in place. From the tidal rhythms of the Tamar River to the historic streets of Launceston and the windswept coastline of George Town, artists across lutruwita/Tasmania are responding to landscape, community, and culture in meaningful ways.

In this Community Spotlight, we’re celebrating artists connected to Northern Tasmania – especially the Tamar Valley – whose work shapes and strengthens our regional arts scene.

🎨 Emily-Rose Wills

Based in Kinimathatakinta/George Town, Emily-Rose Wills is a contemporary artist whose practice explores memory, place, and identity. Her abstract works often draw from the landscapes of Northern Tasmania – layered, gestural, and emotionally resonant.

Beyond her studio practice, Emily-Rose plays a vital role in community arts development. Through her work with George Town Council, she has supported exhibitions, cultural programming, and creative opportunities that nurture local voices. Her commitment to both personal practice and public arts leadership makes her a cornerstone of the Tamar Valley’s cultural life.

Website: https://www.emilyrosewills.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyroser/

🖌️ James Cowan (kreamart)

Known professionally as kreamart, James Cowan is one of Tasmania’s most recognisable mural and street artists. His bold, large-scale works transform public spaces across Launceston and beyond, often featuring native flora, fauna, and hyper-real portraiture.

His murals inject colour and energy into urban environments while creating accessible art experiences outside traditional gallery walls. Through workshops and youth engagement, he also fosters creative expression within the community — proving that art belongs everywhere.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kreamart/

🎨 Pat Brassington

Originally from Launceston, Pat Brassington is one of Australia’s most acclaimed photo-media artists. Her surreal, psychologically layered works have been exhibited nationally and internationally. While her reach is global, her Tasmanian roots remain part of her artistic story.

🖼️ Philip Wolfhagen

A celebrated Tasmanian painter, Philip Wolfhagen is known for his atmospheric landscapes that capture the shifting light and mood of Tasmania’s environment. His work reflects a deep, contemplative engagement with place = something that resonates strongly within the Tamar Valley’s landscape tradition.

Website – https://www.philipwolfhagen.com/

🌾 Why Regional Art Matters

Regional artists don’t create in isolation – they create in conversation with land, history, and community. In the Tamar Valley, that conversation is shaped by river systems, agricultural heritage, coastal winds, and a strong sense of local identity.

Artists such as Emily-Rose Wills and kreamart demonstrate that impactful creative careers can flourish here. Established names like Pat Brassington and Philip Wolfhagen remind us that Tasmanian artists hold national and international significance.

Supporting local artists means investing in cultural resilience, economic sustainability, and shared storytelling.

The Tamar Valley isn’t just a wine region or scenic drive – it’s a living, evolving creative landscape.

To see more of our amazing Tasmanian talent, be sure to check out Tasmanian Maker’s Journal. It’s a hub of all things creative.