Wednesday, October 22, 2008

What's For Dinner?

It's my favorite time of year!! I absolutely adore Autumn! I love the crisp, cool morning air and the way the trees sway in the breeze. Autumn in Texas isn't quite the same as Autumn in Michigan. I do miss all the explosion of color on the trees, but I must say I am loving the warm afternoons. It has been in the low 80's lately, but gets cooler at night and then we have those cool mornings. I'm sitting at my computer now, drinking a cup of coffee and putting off getting ready to go to school. I love teaching, but I also love quiet mornings.

One of my very favorite things about Autumn is soup! I love, love, love soup!!! It just comforts like nothing else can (not that I need comforting mind you). It is that warm, yummy food that I could eat bowls and bowls of....however, the waist of my pants won't allow me eat all I want. ha! Last night I made a delicious pot of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. It makes my mouth water just typing those words!! I got the recipe from the MOST amazing soup making woman I've ever met. Debbie is in our church small group that meets on Sunday nights. We met at her house last winter and instead of our usual pot luck style meal, Debbie made each meal for us. She is my hero! She is a fantastic cook! She also makes the most amazing soups. So many of us would ask her for the recipe that she started making giving us these super cute little recipe cards that she even laminated. :) I made her soup recipe last night and although it's yummy, it just isn't quite as good as hers. I'll keep trying... Maybe I just need a bigger kitchen....do you think that would do it?? I am trying to convince Barry that's what I need. I told him last night that in our next house, I need a BIG kitchen and it must have a gas cook top. He, being the sweet guy that he is replied, "whatever you want." Isn't he a gem?!!

Ok...I procrastinated way too long! I better get going so I can spend another day with all my little friends.
So tell me, what's your favorite thing to make or eat this time of year?

9 comments:

Katie said...

This time of year we love to make crockpot turkey and chili. Mmmmm! Now for dinner tonight, I have no idea. Maybe something with the left-over turkey I made Monday. Cook books, here I come!

Shellie Salza said...

Chocolate chip pumpkin bread and just about any variety of SOUP! Hope you had a fun day with your little friends!

julie said...

I love to make apple crisp this time of year. Every sunday my husbands friends come over to watch football, and every Sunday they ask me to make one. Some weeks they ever bring the apples thinking that way I won't say no.

Shannon said...

Hi! I am not much of a soup person but I do love chili! :)

Shellie Salza said...

My favorite choc chip pumpkin bread is from a little bakery here. I only wish I could recreate it, but I tried a loaf and a muffin recipe this year that I thought were pretty good too. I'll dig up the recipes for you.

dave.heather said...

I love fall, too!! My favorite thing this time of year is anything Pumpkin Spice. Pumpkin Spice lattes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice candles (which I wish I could eat!) And now I'm reading about chocolate chip pumpkin bread?! Uh-oh I'm in trouble!

~Heather

Shellie Salza said...

Somehow I don't have your email...so here are the recipes...

Pumpkin Choc Chip Muffins
3 eggs, slightly beaten, 1 c buttermilk, 1 Tbsp vanilla, 2 c pumpkin puree, 1 c granulated sugar, 1 Tbsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp grnd cloves, 1 tsp ginger, 2 c flour, 1 c oatmeal, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 c choc chips

Preheat to 350. Mix eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, pumpkin until smooth. Blend in the sugar and spices. Stir together flour, oatmeal, soda, salt, powder. Add dry ingred. to wet and stir in choc. chips. Fill 24 paper-lined muffins (I didn't use paper and it worked fine) half full. Bake for 18-20 minutes at 350.

Shellie Salza said...

AND
Choc Chip Pumpkin Bread
2 c a/p flour, 1 c packed brown sugar, 1 Tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp grnd cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp grnd nutmeg, 1/8 tsp grnd ginger or cloves, 1 c pumpkin puree, 1/2 c milk, 2 eggs, 1/3 c shortening, 1/2 c walnuts (optional), 1/2 c raisin, (optional), 1 c choc chips

Combine 1 c of flour, br sugar, powder, cinnamon, salt, soda, nutmeg, and ginger or cloves. Add pumpkin, milk, eggs, and shortening.

Beat w/ electric mixer on low til blended, then on high for 2 minutes. Add remaining flour, beat well. Strin in nuts, raisins (I don't use either of these gross ingredients) and choc. chips.

Pour into greased 9x5x3 and bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack before removing from pan. Wrap and store overnight before slicing (impossible, I say).

Kelly said...

Hey! Thank you for reading my blog! I'll have to stop over here now, as well! Your ideas were great, and I love the idea of each class wearing one of the colors! competition, yet unification!

Well, to answer your question, I love to decorate for fall! I know it's not really a food, but I've just been getting into it recently. I DO have a Fabulous bread pudding recipe, however, that I really should whip out! :)

 
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