Let's welcome Fall!
I hope that you are as excited about this season, and this month, as I am! Here in the Midwest October weather is just delectable, bringing us cool, crisp jacket weather, and chilly nights that make for snuggling up under a quilt or comforter and sleeping like a baby. (To those of you who live in Houston, San Fransisco, Savannah, or some other warm climate; we will covet your weather come January and February!) Apples, cider, squash, and cool weather loving cabbages of all colors, Brussels sprouts, and kale (which actually taste better after a light frost) are plentiful, and provide an abundance of culinary inspiration. October graces us with a tapestry woven from the colors of turning leaves, the aromas and flavors of favorite fall foods, and memories of hayrides, bonfires, and more; it is a lovely gift to savor before winter's icy fingers threaten to get a grip on us!
The recipes this month are, of course, very seasonal. For breakfast, brunch, or a coffee- or tea-break, make some Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins. Oh my goodness, once you try these easy-to-make muffins you will surely make them over and over again.
Farmers Market Barbecue Sauce is a staple that works with chicken, pork and beef and will find a home in your refrigerator, ready to add its complex flavors to a favorite protein. It is perfect with and is an important part of Barbecue Beef Brisket Sandwiches. These rock! The recipe makes a big batch, and the leftovers freeze well, nice to have on hand for those nights when dinner is the last thing you want to think about, or when friends drop by. It is a fabulous tailgating dish, too. The perfect accompaniment for the brisket are Sweet Potato Strings, so crispy, crunchy, and yummy; they look good on the plate, too!
A unique salad for most any October meal is Autumn Cole Slaw, featuring kale, Brussels sprouts, and radicchio or red cabbage, and is as healthy as it is delicious. This salad has converted many a kale-averse diner at your table!
Stuffed Pepper & Beef Soup was a cafe favorite, and is perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner. All of the flavors of peppers stuffed with ground beef and rice are deconstructed in this soup; so good! The perfect dessert any time of year is a moist, chocolatey Fudge Brownie, and the recipe is in this month's edition! All alone, or nestled beside a scoop of ice cream, you can't miss with this recipe.
And just for fun, turn some of the Caramel Candy in the July edition into a dip for apples with the recipe for Caramel Dip. This combo has all the flavor of a caramel apple, but is much easier to eat. It keeps well in the refrigerator, too.
Let's savor every bit of what October brings to our tables! Enjoy the recipes, the weather, your friends and family, and this amazing season. Drop me an email and let me know what you're loving, what you'd like to see, and anything else you'd like to share. (Don't forget to share this with your friends! And, if you haven't yet signed up, what are you waiting for?) You are all the best, and appreciated deeply!
Blessings,
I
