The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Conventional wisdom says that when the days get shorter, it's time to hunker inside and see you in the spring. But now is the best time to bundle-up, grab your camera and take a ride between the rain and wind to view the subtle beauty of a minimalist countryside splattered in earthen hues, fields in brushed velour.

Food is for lingering in the fall. No more summer grab and go sandwiches and chips. Today, its foods that warm the soul: steaming tomato soup, oozing grilled cheese, chubby pumpkin pancakes for dinner and a never ending pour of hot cocoa.

In fall there's more time to enjoy the night. Look up and see stars you didn't see in the summer, a watercolor swatch of the northern lights and an occasional falling star to make a sleepy winter wish.

Bay area baking chef and friend Desi Kitchen is invited to my Thanksgiving table. She called today and asked what wine should she bring and I said, "Just bring you!"

This Thanksgiving, I am pairing my lime & thyme range- free roast organic turkey with wasabi mashed potatoes topped in crumbled smoked bacon. I'll also serve a rye and sour- dough bread pudding, panned gravy and maple sugar candied Brussels sprouts.

I choose the incomparable Seven Hills Winery 2011 Ries- ling with dinner. This regional white wine is an "off-dry" Riesling, meaning a wine not too dry, not too sweet, rippling in citrus fruits, rich swooshes of vanilla and cardamom pud- dling the tongue to a crisp spine finish.

Seven Hills Founder/Winemaker Casey McClellan is a well respected wine specialist playing an important part in bringing an early vita cultural history to Walla Walla. Casey brings his signature winemaking to the terroir-inspired Seven Hills wine portfolio. Seven Hills Winery: 212 North 3rd Avenue, behind White House Crawford restaurant: 509-529- 7198.

Readers, until next week, "Eat Art, Drink Imagination!"

Wasabi Mashed Potatoes

Serves 4

3-pounds peeled cooled potatoes

2-tablespoon soy sauce

2-tablespoon powdered Wasabi1/2-teaspoon salt to taste

1-cup warmed heavy cream and more if needed

1-pound pre-cooked bacon crumbles

Add first five ingredients in a large bowl and mash to a fluffy consistency. Top in crumbled bacon and serve hot, paired with lime & thyme roast turkey and all the trimmings with plenty of Seven Hills 2011 Riesling for a most perfect bite! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

For more recipes, color photos and Moveable Feasts Ca- tering ideas: www.chefjudithhenderson.com.