Fall Recipes I Can’t Wait To Make
In full disclosure, I have already dove (dived, diven?) headfirst into all the fall cooking. I’m planning out my soups, breads and muffins, and friends, I am living my BEST LIFE. As I type this, I have a can of pumpkin sitting on my countertop, staring me right in the face, waiting for me to decide what I’m going to use it for. Right now, I’m debating between saving it for pancakes this Saturday, a fall protein shake, overnight oats, or the old-reliable, pumpkin bread.
There is no wrong answer, I just haven’t landed on a decision yet.
Anyway, it’s been GLORIOUSLY rainy lately, and if you ask me, there is no better reason than to whip up a batch of my favorite warm and cozy snackos. I love a gray and rainy day to bake, snuggle up with a good book (right now I’m on an Agatha Christie murder mystery - perfect for this time of year), or whip up a homemade soup.
On top of that, it occurred to me that just when everyone get super busy with the holidays, ya girl is going to be VERY pregnant and not want to do a single thing. In order to make life easier for future Bekah, I’ve started to gather recipes and prep a few freezer meals that I can pop right in the crockpot and have a homemade meal without much planning or work.
I always like to have a couple last-minute meals in the freezer for when life gets a little crazy, and I know that I’m going to want a solid stock of them once Baby Boy makes his entrance into the world. So I’m doing the groundwork now.
So, here’s what I’m looking forward to making and baking in the next month or so - stay tuned on social for photos (that is, if it turns out well and is worthy of a photo).
IP Zuppa Toscana - Half Baked Harvest
I made this soup twice last fall and I honestly completely forgot about it until about a week ago. It’s got every delicious ingredient - potatoes, bacon, a creamy broth, sausage and kale (for health, duh) - and it comes together beautifully in my Instant Pot. The ultimate win. I dinstinctly remember I made it for a small fire pit we had in our backyard and it was the perfect warming meal on a chilly night. I obviously baked up a loaf of bread to accompany (probably beer bread, because when you can have dough in five minutes, that’s what you make) and it was just perfect.
I shared my own chili recipe last year with you guys, because again, it’s so easy, why wouldn’t I share it? It takes about 30 minutes total and Elliot LOVES it. Chili is just one of those warm comfort meals that sticks to you, warms you up and is perfect for game day or just a quick dinner. If I have the time, I like to put together a cheesy garlic knot from HBH for dipping. SO GOOD.
I do have a recipe I love for this, but I found a freezer meal version, and I can’t wait for an opportunity to whip that out for an easy dinner. I LOVE chicken pot pie, and I love it in the crock pot and I love it even more when I can just dump it in and go. I prepped this freezer meal and one other and I’m so excited to try it on a busy week when I just don’t have the energy or time to plan out dinner. It’s like a gift to future me.
The other freezer meal I prepped this past weekend was a honey garlic chicken. It’s another one I can just thaw and dump in the crock pot, and whip up some rice to serve with. A lot of people like to prep the whole meal ahead of time, but I personally prefer fresh pasta, rice, etc. It doesn’t feel like work, because it’s not like I had to think about anything - the meal is planned, I just have to boil some rice. Can do. I’ll probably steam a bag of frozen broccoli and voila! Dinner.
Brown Butter Apple Blondies - Half Baked Harvest
I saw these on the ‘gram the other day and it completely stopped the scroll. They look heavenly and I’ve decided that they are the perfect dessert for my little Halloween party. Every year, my family comes over to my house to hand out candy, and it’s one of my favorite nights of the year. I make a big pot of chili, throw a pot of warm apple cider on the stove, and some bread (of course), and we just spend an evening outside meeting tons of kids. These blondies will be the perfect dessert!
BONUS: Pumpkin Biscoff Cake - Baking With Blondie
I’ve already picked out which cake I’m making for my birthday next month - check out this beauty! Ever since I fell in love with the Lemon Oreo cake with it’s crusty tops, I’ve been looking for a fall version, and here it is! I can’t wait to try it and share with you guys!