Fall cooking

Split Pea Soup with Ham Hocks

This Classic Split Pea Soup is hearty, protein packed and loaded with shredded ham and veggies. The peas cook down and give the soup a velvety texture. The ham hocks add a smokey flavor, and the thyme rounds out dish to make a super comforting bowl of yum! Just what […]

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Cherry Compote

Written by shreddedsprout  Published on September 13, 2022 Edit Pork Tenderloin is an easy meal to prepare for your family and friends. You can take it to the next level by combining tart cherries with smokey bourbon to create a luscious and velvety compote. Much like apples or peaches, the sweetness of cherries […]

Delicata Squash Salad Bowls

Fall flavors on parade! Delicata is the star of this salad, and during its short season take advantage of its versatility and enjoy. This squash has a sweet, velvety flesh that caramelizes in the oven. The beauty of the delicata is its small size and thin edible skin! The creamy […]

Brie, Fig, and Apple Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese is the classic comfort food and this version takes it to a new level. The creamy brie, crunchy apple slices and sweet fig jam create your knew seasonal favorite. And of course, pair this with the other classic…tomato soup. Brie, Fig and Apple Grilled Cheese Serves 2 4 slices sourdough […]

Best Chicken and Dumplings

Heartier than chicken soup, this classic comfort dish is more like a stew with a simple biscuit dough added in the last minutes. Typically you start with whole chicken or pieces to make a broth, but there are many shortcuts. I made my broth with 2 lbs of chicken breasts. […]

Pork Tenderloin Hatch Pepper Chili

Hatch Peppers, named after the original growing area in Hatch, New Mexico, are an authentic Southwestern favorite. Chefs say that the intense sunlight and cool nights in this valley result in a uniquely flavored pepper that’s unrivaled by any other. Hatch Peppers have a meaty flesh and mild-medium heat making […]

Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

  This soup puts an exclamation point on comfort food! First saute garlic and onions and then add mushrooms til caramelized. Transfer to your blender to puree and then back to the pot and add chicken and rice. The flavors simmer together for approximately 30 minutes or until the wild […]

Butternut Squash Turnovers

These seasonal Butternut Squash Turnovers are the perfect savory appetizer. Creamy butternut squash and goat cheese are paired with mild leeks, earthy shiitake mushrooms, garlic and thyme all enveloped in a flaky puff pastry. The buttery turnovers also make an ideal fall lunch alongside a big green salad. Butternut Squash […]

Potato and Sausage Roast with Arugula

Justin Chapple at Food & Wine created this incredibly tasty rustic sheet pan bake. This dish is filled with sweet caramelized shallots (you need all of them), potatoes and spicy sausage. All the ingredients are set on a bed of peppery arugula finished with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice. […]

Buffalo Chicken Chili

  Tradition. Halloween and Chili go together like ghosts and goblins over here. Yep, the kids are gone but that pot is still simmering away creating a warm and cozy evening. This year I’m trying yet another version. Biz, at My Bizzy Kitchen, came up with this award-winning combination. One of her many […]

Coq au Vin

Coq au vin (Rooster in red wine) is probably the most famous French chicken dish and represents the ultimate comfort food. Surprising easy to make, this dish is slowly braised in red wine until your chicken is fall-off-the-bone-tender. The red wine not only tenderizes but adds a rich luxurious silky sauce. […]

Bratwurst with Apple-Onion Relish

  Octoberfest. Do it right with this bratwurst sammy smothered in a tart and spicy apple-onion relish. The wurst is typically made with two meats: veal and pork. Broiled or grilled, these sausages are sandwiched between a slightly toasted, a bit malty, salty and buttery pretzel bun. YES. The relish […]

Acorn Squash with Garlic Butter and Burrata

  It’s peak acorn squash season. When you eat food that’s in season, you are typically eating produce that will be richer in nutrients. Like many winter squashes, acorn squash is chock full of  Vitamins A, B and C, potassium, magnesium and fiber. This little gourd can be prepared in many […]

Caramelized Skillet Apple Pie

There are skillet desserts then there is THIS! Not your traditional apple pie, with its simple appearance this is closer to a rustic French galette. The caramel bottom, topped with pie crust, is the game changer!! The next layer is an apple mixture and another pie crust!! I KNOW. Add […]

One-Pan Autumn Chicken and Wild Rice

Enjoy the comforting taste of chicken, wild rice, cremini mushrooms, onion, apple and Gruyere cheese in this one-pan dinner. The special ingredient in this dish is the earthy, woodsy rice. Wild Rice. AND… this rice is actually a grain, high in protein, low in fat and is gluten free. Other health benefits: […]

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter Sage

Plans for leftovers? Mine? Sweet potato gnocchi. Don’t be intimidated because this easy recipe combines a Thanksgiving staple with ingredients you already have in your pantry. Plus it can be fun cooking with those straggling relatives. The recipe allows you to play with the dough (fun). You don’t want the […]

Kale Salad with Pickled Apple and Creamy Vinaigrette

  Another winner recipe from Kathy’s cooking class and one that will make it to my Thanksgiving table. We all know by now that kale is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It’s full of cancer fighting antioxidants, powerful phytonutrients and heart healthy fiber. However, most kale types […]

Chicken Scarpariello with Sausage and Peppers

  Chicken Scarpariello is a classic Italian-American recipe.  The word scarpariello means “shoemaker” which some theorize refers to the word cobbled, as in all the ingredients can be simply thrown together. This rustic recipe boasts juicy chicken thighs, sweet Italian sausage, and a sweet-sour pan sauce. THAT SAUCE is intensely flavorful […]

Roasted Delicata Squash Salad

Delicata squash, named for its delicate skin, is the perfect balance between savory and sweet. The thin skin is completely edible and when roasted, becomes caramelized and crunchy. While this dish makes a great fall side to roasted meats, I’ve combined the squash with the perfect ingredients to create the […]

Crostini with Pistachios, Ricotta and Olives

Crostini (mini toasts) are the ultimate party appetizer and are so versatile with an endless combination of toppings. Thanks Kathy for introducing our cooking class to this outstanding version. Every ingredient shines independently but together creates a bright and savory appetizer. The ricotta is light, fluffy and makes the perfect […]

Mini Sweet Corn Fritters

  These little gems are the ideal solution for all that seasonal corn that’s making its way to your local farmers market. Savory, sweet and a bit of a kick with a crunch with every bite. It’s an appetizer. It’s a side dish. It’s an entrée. Anyway you serve them, you are […]

A Simple Carrot Soup

This is the simplest of carrot soups. It has 5 ingredients….onions, carrots, curry paste, coconut milk and lime. Saute and puree. To finish be creative. I topped with a squeeze of lime, micro-greens, roasted chickpeas and a few dollops of chili oil. Enjoy a bowl of warm, cozy, healthy and […]

Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin & Fennel

  Pork and fennel are a distinctive pairing. It works. When the fennel roasts it takes on a subtle, earthy, caramelized flavor. It’s an easy one (sheet) pan dinner. Celery root puree is the perfect accompaniment to this meal. Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin & Fennel Serves 4 1 1/2 Ib. (or close) […]

Mushroom Lasagna

You’re in menu planning mode for the holidays. Do you go with the usual beef tenderloin and all the perfect sides or shake it up??  THIS decadent lasagna just might be the answer. Pasta sheets layered with a simple mushroom ragout, nutty Parmigiana-Reggiano, and a creamy, rich béchamel sauce.  Serve […]

Maple Roasted Carrot Salad

  A seasonal salad chock-full of ingredients we love this time of year. By roasting the carrots, they don’t just become tender, they become sweeter with delicious caramelized edges. The carrots are sliced diagonally to give them more surface to caramelize. Adding maple syrup sweetens them to the next level. Adjust […]

Herbed Pork Tenderloin with Apple Chutney

There’s a chill in the air, a hint of autumn….roasting season. Time for “pork chops and applesauce!” This recipe highlights how well pork plays with autumnal fruits. I’m using a leaner, flavorful, inexpensive cut of meat…pork tenderloin. The tenderloin cooks quickly, about 20 minutes, which makes it perfect for a weeknight […]

Pear Almond Tart

This Pear Almond Tart allows the seasonal pear to upstage that pumpkin and apple. The combination of flavors is a natural. A sweet crust is filled with a golden brown buttery almond cream and sliced poached pears. For serving, drizzle with caramel sauce, top with salted caramel ice cream, a […]

Beef And Bacon Meatloaf… And THE Meatloaf Sandwich

  Meatloaf. A staple on every Mother’s menu because it was an affordable meal that could feed the family for a few days. Here’s a tasty update on this little piece of Americana. Warning: this is NOT your Mother’s meatloaf. The seasoned stock keeps this meatloaf moist and full of flavor […]