The Flavors of Fall - Oh Yum!

 Happy midweek to all.  It is a brisk 50*F this morning - fall is in the air.  The moon was bright and full this morning - goodness it was pretty.  Yesterday we finally got a nice soft rain and misty rain for several hours.  After lunch it finally stopped.  We needed every drop for sure.  It looks to be a lovely day.  LOL - this morning I put on a long sleeve t-shirt and my bibbers.  Just the cooler type day for them!

It is time for comfort food and goodies!!!!  I think we all enjoy comfort food of fall and winter.  Then there are goodies!  It seems there tend to be more get togethers during the fall and winter months.  Holidays make for lots of goodies and treats.

Next week is Thanksgiving in Canada and we will be about a month later.

Back in the day I used to make cheeseballs for every gathering I had.  They were always eaten.  I see them at the stores and they sure are pricey today!  They can be made much cheaper and they are easy.  Do people still serve cheese balls?

I like this idea for cheeseball bites!

BITE-SIZE CHEESE BALLS

8 oz. pkg. of cream cheese (softened)

2 C shredded cheddar cheese (finely grated)

1 1/2 C finely shredded carrots

2 tsp. honey

1 C pecans, finely chopped (optional)

pretzel sticks

Combine the cheeses, carrots and honey.  Chill for about an hour.  Shape into one-inch balls and then roll in pecans if desired.  Chill again, then stick a pretzel stick in each one to serve!  Makes about 45 little cheese bites.

How fun!

CANDIED or CARAMEL APPLES

I love caramel apples - but the sure are hard to eat without making a mess.  I saw this pic on FB and thought it was a genius idea.

Slice your apples, then make a little slit for a stick, dip in melted chocolate, place on wax paper and allow to cool in frig for a bit.  Drizzle with caramel and/or goodies.  How fun is that?  Easy to eat as well.  It gives you all the thrill of eating a candy apple, just not all the calories and mess. (perfect for little ones too)

PINEAPPLE WELCOME DIP

A great appetizer (or dessert)

2 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese (softened)

1 C Mayo

15 1/4 oz. can crushed pineapple (drained)

Mix this all together.  Stir well and chill and serve w/crackers.  I think with graham crackers or vanilla wafers would be wonderful!

Use that juice for something else!!!!!!

SAUSAGE AND PEPPER QUICHE

3/4 lb. sausage - ground

2 peppers (red is pretty), finely chopped

9 inch pie crust

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 C Cheddar cheese, shredded

2 Tbsp. grated Parm cheese

2 eggs

1/2 C half and half

3 Tbsp milk

Place sausage and pepper in a large skillet.  Cook and stir constantly for about 7 minutes.  Drain.  Place pie crust in pan, top with sausage mixture.  In a small bowl mix cheeses and salt - spread over meat.

Whisk eggs with milks and pour over everything.  Bake 425 for 15 minutes - reduce heat to 350 and bake additional 10 minutes or so.

Great for breakfast - but would also be good on appetizer table.  Cut into small slices or pieces and serve.

WALNUT CHIP PIE

1 C sugar

1/2 C all-purpose flour

2 eggs

1 stick butter - melted and cooled

1 C chopped walnuts

1 C chocolate chips

1 tsp. vanilla

9 inch pie crust

Mix first 7 ingredients together and pour into pie shell.  Bake at 325 for one hour.  Serves 8-10.

Easy-peasy!!!!! AND GOOD

I do love all the fall goodies that come around.  Not that I should be eating them, but heck - it is the holidays!

I am a huge lover of comfort food.  Soups of all kinds, stew, chili, all things gooey and cheesy, gravies and biscuits oh yum!  

Think about making something new and different this year for your contribution to the holiday meal.  It may become a new family favorite.

Soon we will need to think about jar mixes again - they are great to have on hand for easy dinners and they make great gifts too.  That is a whole other post!

Have a wonderful fall day.