Fall Food Fest

[lawinkle]

With the cooler temperatures and the bounty of fruits and vegetables, I begin to get an appetite for seasonal foods that we have not had in a long while.  Friday I made a huge antipasta platter with Italian meats, cheeses, olives, perocinis, mushrooms, artichokes and such.  I infused some olive oil with garlic for dipping crusty fresh Italian bread.  All I can say is "Yummy!"

Yesterday I made fresh corn chowder and today I served butternut squuash stuffed with sausage, onions, apples and cheddar cheese.  Baked to perfection it was to die for.

Right now I have some pears backing with a filling of bleu cheese, walnuts and craisens.  Drizzled with honey and a dash of chili powder.  Will serve these with a scoop pf Graeters vanilla for a great treat during football.

What do you crave when the weather begins to look like autumn?  

[Kay/NC]

Those dishes all sound scrumptious. Thanks forbthe ideas.

I like some herbs and a dash of balsamic vinegar in our olive oil for dipping bread, too.

Tonight, I asked Mike if he's ready for the apple-onion-sausage and potato bake I do with a bottle of beer and some bay leaf. Some people use sauerkrsut in it, but I prefer red pickled cabbage. Not being one to keep white potatoes on hand anymore, I was kind of stumped...he said to try a couple of cubed sweet potatoes instead.

I cut everything up in bite sizes, and let it slow bake all afternoon. It is even better the second day.

Just sbout anything with a sweet potato will do. Ham is starting to appeal to me again, too. It is hard to believe that we are turning towards October already.

[turkey feather]

You girls are creative. It all sounds wonderful and perfect for these cool days.

[linda/IL]

Really would like to see these recipes!  Sounds good.  Myself, I'm still pretty happy with charcoal grilled food.  Haven't had my fill yet I guess.  But I have been thinking of a weinie roast & the fixins.  Haven't even gotten down fishing this year.  Honestly don't know why although the extreme heat/humidity was terrible and also has the pond down.  Still peaceful enough that just sitting there replenishes your soul.

I did put a roast in today.  Love leftovers from it.  And I had one of our big chickens last week & had 1/2 a breast & bony pieces left so I put in the little crock pot with lots of liquid & used for chicken a la king.  Beef stew and swiss steak are coming up on my list when I get in the mood more.  I have been hankering for some homemade breads.  Might tackle that.  I've noticed most of my fall food choices are more fattening.

I actually get more "nesting" by putting out some fall decorations (kinda slow on that tho) and I'm itching to get to the sewing machine & start trying to remember how to quilt.  Keep telling myself I should fall clean before I get to carried away but that doesn't sound like fun.  But I really need to get things decorated before we leave for dairy expo as I hate seeing everyone's nice ones as we drive by & realize mine aren't done.

[Ruby Lou]

Wow, you are creative!  my sister can cook like that, but not me...I get creative and it doesn't taste good!  Keep trying to get my DH to get LP for the grill.  Has been a long summer without the grill.  I think we/he cooked twice on it early in the summer.  My apple trees are loaded down.  Starting to look like mushrooms.  Am not looking forward to picking them up.  Wish I could put a big mattress under them so they don't get bruised.  Trying to do some fall decorating.  Found out I am not getting surgery at least for now, so I can move on with life!

[lawinkle]

I just kind of go online to Allrecipes.com and find something close to what I want to make.  Then I see what I have on hand and improvise.  Rarely do I follow a recipe exactly.  

I guess that is why I like to cook but don't like to bake.....although I am craving homemade chocolate cake with creamy fudge icing....and a cold glass of milk....

[Kay/NC]

Funny, but I have gotten fond of allrecipes, too.

My family has gotten really crazy about my fried rice...I think I got the basic recipe there this summer.