Fall Recipes
Classic Butternut Squash Soup (with options)
Smooth and luxuriously creamy (but with no cream in sight), a big pot of this satisfying soup comes together easily with minimal ingredients. Plus there’s a list of recipe adjustments to suit every preference. Every fall, I look forward to my first bowl of butternut squash soup. For years I made the soup without…
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Classically light, fluffy, creamy, and buttery, this recipe is everything good mashed potatoes should be–and so simple. Recipe pairings and lots of great leftover ideas are included. Easy comfort food at its best, these dreamy potatoes are quick enough for casual weekday meals (especially when utilizing the included tips) yet special enough for holiday tables.…
Beef Short Ribs
A low and slow stint in the oven yields flavorful, fork tender meat that will warm your soul. Optional day-ahead prep offers added benefits and convenience. Certain foods smell as good as they taste. And I’ve noticed that special memories are often tightly linked to the intersection of these two senses. What comes to…
Cracker Toffee
Easy to make and quick to disappear, this family-favorite treat is salty, sweet, crispy, buttery, and chocolatey. A variety of optional toppings ramp up the flavor and seasonal appeal! Old recipes have a way of bringing back special memories. And when those old recipes are also very good recipes, they seem to create new memories!…
Classic Gingerbread Cookies
The only gingerbread recipe you will ever need, these perfectly-spiced cookies have stood the test of time and are as fun to make as they are to eat! As a kid, gingerbread cookies were all about the creative endeavor. After bringing the cut-out boys and girls to life with eyes, nose, striped skirts, polka…
Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies
Sweet, crisp, and light as a cloud, these classic meringue cookies are easy to make and look beautiful on a holiday cookie platter. In its simplest form, a meringue is a dessert that is made by baking a mixture of stiffly beaten egg whites and sugar until crisp but not brown. The result is…
The Rachel Sandwich (Grilled or Baked)
Sandwiches for dinner are truly a treat thanks to this crunchy, saucy twist on the classic Reuben. Use Thanksgiving leftovers or your favorite deli turkey for an easy meal any time of year. Two methods of preparation mean you can easily serve one person or a crowd. For those who grew up watching the…
Loaded Cauliflower Bites
Roasted cauliflower is topped with bacon and cheese in this satisfying twist on baked potato skins that can be served as an appetizer or family-friendly side dish. A “steak” option makes for a heartier side dish, and a few extra ingredients will turn the recipe into a protein-rich meal. Initially, I went back and…
Spider Cider
The name may be catchy but the flavor really delivers in this crowd-pleasing Halloween cocktail that you’ll want to enjoy throughout the fall and winter. Easy to mix one cocktail or a pitcher! It seems the older I get, the more I enjoy playing with my food! Holidays, of course, provide an abundance of…
Pumpkin Spice Roasted Delicata Squash (air fryer or oven method)
Warm spices add seasonal appeal to this easy side dish that quickly cooks to golden perfection in the oven or air fryer. Feel free to mix things up with a different variety of winter squash (or sweet potatoes) and a short list of optional toppings if inclined. If you’ve never tried delicata squash, you may…
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
A few helpful tips and an easy technique yield the crispiest, most irresistible pumpkin seeds with the simplest of ingredients. The snack-worthy recipe is reason to carve a pumpkin, even if you don’t have kids! I’d venture to say that the annual ritual of pumpkin carving is almost as much fun for a parent as…
Steel Cut Apple Baked Oatmeal
With their chewy texture and nutty flavor, steel cut oats add something exciting to the world of baked oatmeal. In the following seasonal favorite, fresh apples and warm cinnamon add natural sweetness and flavor for a hearty, prep-ahead breakfast that’s worth waking up for! As much as I adore my assortment of baked oatmeal recipes,…
