Fall Food Ideas and a Few Tips

 Fall is in the air - yes it is TODAY!  Temps have dropped here and we have cooler temps for part of the week.  I like 60's and 70's - that is perfect for me.  

Makes me want to fix fall/winter dishes and bake more.  Don't get me wrong - I love summer - but fall is just refreshing.

COWBOY BEANS

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion - chopped

1 green pepper - chopped

1 - 14 oz. can of kidney beans (or whatever) drained

1 - 14 oz. can pork and beans

15 oz. can tomato sauce

3/4 C brown sugar - packed

1 tsp. white vinegar

2 tsp. prepared mustard

Brown your beef, onion and peppers.  Drain.  Add remaining ingredients and place in crockpot for about 3 hours on low.    Serves 6.

This is yummy with cornbread!  I have done this and used whatever beans I had on hand - and it came out great.

HOWL AT THE MOON CASSEROLE

2 C cooked and cubed chicken

10 3/4 oz. can cream of chicken sup

14 oz. can green beans (drained)

4 oz. can mushrooms (drained)

1 C shredded American cheese - I use used several slices

1/2 C mayo

8 oz. tube refrig. biscuits  OR your own

2 Tbsp. butter - melted

1/4 C seasoned bread crumbs

Combine chicken, soup, beans, mushrooms, cheese and mayo in a saucepan.  Heat just to boil.  Pour in an ungreased 2 qt. casserole.  Arrange biscuits on top, brush with butter and sprinkle bread crumbs.  Bake at 375* until top is golden.

Serves 4 - 6   Super one dish meal - add a salad and you are good to go.

FRITO CASSEROLE

Super simple - NO rules.  Use leftover chili or goulash or pizza mix up.  Anything with some beans, tomatoes, meat - seasonings - whatever you have or want.  Top with shredded cheese and Frito's and bake until bubbly.  It doesn't get any easier than that.  There literally is no certain recipe - do what you want.  Serve with a salad or any side.  

EASY APPLE CRISP

6 peeled and cored apples (sliced)

1/2 C melted butter

3/4 C brown sugar, packed

3/4 C quick cooking oats (uncooked)

1/2  all purpose flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Place apples in a buttered 11x7 pan (I use smaller).  Combine butter, b. sugar, oats, flour and cinnamon - sprinkle over apples.  Bake at 350* for about 35 minutes

OR

Make a Galette!!!!!  Super easy.  One pie crust - laid out flat.  Place apples (or whatever fruit you have) mixed with a touch of seasoning, sugar, and flour (for thickening) and chopped nuts if desired.  Place in the center of the crust and then fold the edges up and over.  I usually paint with an egg white and sprinkle a bit of sugar over crust.  Bake until crust is done.

These are so easy and yummy.  Basically just an earthy and natural pie!

I know this doesn't look fall-ish - BUT THINK - spice cake or butter pecan cake (any type of fall flavor) - then add butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips.  Maybe add some chopped nuts.  You can really FALL this up however you want.  Easy!

One of my favorite things is:

Brownie mix - made as called for and baked.  When it comes out of oven - spread chocolate chips on top - they melt - spread around like icing - then I sprinkle with coconut.  It is like eating a Mounds brownie!!  This is on the menu this week!

You can also make up brownies - pull out when 3 - 4 minutes out from being done  top with mini marshmallows and mini chips - place back in oven for about 3 minutes.  The marshmallows melt and brown a bit and chocolate melts.   OMG!  Cool and slice!  They won't last long!!!!!!

TIPS

When making a white, yellow or spice cake - use apple cider as your liquid for a jazz up in flavor!  You could use OJ instead - but cider makes a great tasting cake

Stuff hollowed out (cored) apples with peanut butter and raisins for a fun and crunchy snack.  I love eating apples with peanut butter!

Make mini muffins.  They are just fun and you can eat a couple and get satisfied.  Not as many calories.  They are great for treats or lunches

Don't forget that fall mix of candy corn and salted peanuts!!  A fall favorite for me.  I love a PayDay candy bar and that is what this mix tastes like.

If decorating with pumpkins - use a marker or paint to draw faces on them.  They are then still good after Halloween to use for pie making or pumpkin butter or canning or freezing.

Now is the time to make up a couple batches of pancakes and/or waffles.  Add some chips to some, maybe some blue berries or nuts to some.  Wrap and freeze for hearty and easy breakfast meals (or dinner).  

Maybe make up sausage egg biscuits or breakfast burritos as well.  SO easy and just makes life easier n a chilly morning.  Grab and go!

Hope this gives a few easy and quick ideas for fall dishes.  I will try to do some each week.  I just love the flavors of fall - it seems so hearty and earthy!

I like easy one pot meals and simple desserts with things many of us might have on hand.

Have fun and enjoy.

HAPPY FALL!