Orange, purple, brown and green -- the colors of autumn are paired with its finest flavors as we celebrate the coziness of indoor dining. This elegant twist on comfort food is ideal for welcoming friends for an evening of casual dining.

The flavors of autumn come to life in this tribute to the bounty of the Harvest. Put a log on the fire and have a seat at our table.

For those curious about the meaning of mise en place, it is a French culinary term for "set in place." If you have ever watched a cooking show, or been inside a restaurant kitchen, you will notice that next to the cooking area, things are set up just so. Ingredients, sauces and critical elements are ready to be used, whether pre-cooked, pre-chopped, or ready as a garnish. This kind of organized setup enables a cook to focus on the actual act of cooking itself without distraction. Our intention with this section is to use the same approach at home, enabling you to host your own special occasions with flair.

WINE PAIRING NOTES

Below you'll find the explanations for Lenn Thompson's wine suggestions. As always, they are recommended by varietal so you can to take our printable menu to your local wine vendor for specific wine pairings or further recommendations. For more notes about Lenn's other wine explorations, visit his LENNDEVOURS blog.

Pumpkin Bisque

Pairing: Hard Apple Cider

Reasoning: There are a ton of options here, but why not do something a little different at your next dinner party? Nothing says fall like apple cider and hard cider's tart apple flavor and bubbles will complement this rich bisque. Shun the supermarket brands and look to local orchards. Many produce hard sparkling cider. Plus, these are lower in alcohol than most wines, making them the perfect opening drink.

Red and White Salad with Candied Pecans, Figs and Chèvre

Varietal: Pinot Gris

Reasoning: Clean, refreshing fruit flavors -- think pears, apples and citrus -- with hints of vanilla and baking spice make Pinot Gris a great choice for this salad, which features a variety of flavors and textures. Italian Pinot Grigio is made with the same grape, but they tend to be one dimensional and uninspired. Look for Pinot Gris made in Oregon, which tend to be good values as well.

Harvest Risotto with Caramelized Pears

Varietal: Chardonnay

Reasoning: Chardonnay is my choice here, but not the overly oaked, flabby renditions made by many wineries. Look for a wine that has balanced oak character -- or better yet, a wine made entirely in stainless steel. These "naked" chardonnays are Chardonnay in its purest, unadulterated state -- crisp apples, pears with terrific acidity. The fruit flavor match those in the risotto nicely and the acidity brings balance and cleans the palate.

Pumpkin Flan with Ancho Chile Brittle

Varietal: Late Harvest or Ice Wine

Reasoning: A decadent custard desert like this deserves an equally decadent, luscious wine. Late harvest (or ice wines) can be made from any grape, but most often you'll see them made with riesling, semillon or vidal blanc in the northeastern U.S. You want one that has intense fruit, decided sweetness but also a zing of acidity. Many of my favorites come out of the Finger Lakes region of New York and these wines tend to be more affordable than those made in Canada.