When I first moved out, I absolutely hated cooking. I’m not even sure why, but my husband luckily took it on when we moved to our first apartment together. I was perfectly happy making myself pasta with butter and cheese, mac and cheese, and frozen pierogies day in and day out. Maybe it was from starting to watch more cooking channels on YouTube and The Great British Bake-Off, or maybe it was having a house with a (slightly) bigger kitchen than in the apartment, but suddenly last year I got really into cooking and baking. Now I really look forward to it, and I find it really brings me a sense of calm and happiness. I especially love cooking meals in the fall and winter because I love how warming and cozy a nice, home-cooked meal feels. I’ve been looking around for some new recipe inspiration lately (last year I mostly just got all my recipes from Bon Appetit, but I’m really working on branching out!) and have found some that I just can’t wait to try my hand at making.
Ambitious Kitchen: Roasted Butternut Squash, Chicken, Cheddar, & Broccoli Couscous
This is one of my favorite recipes, and I've made it several times. The squash makes it a little time-consuming, but it’s still manageable for a weeknight dinner. It’s quite easy - a lot of “set it and forget it” steps that really come together in the end. It’s so good and lasts well as leftovers, too. I made it a few times over the summer without the butternut squash, but I can’t wait to make it again now that the squash is in season.
Damn Delicious: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes
I just recently made this recipe and I’m obsessed! I had a can of pumpkin puree sitting in the cabinet from the pumpkin pie I set out to make last Thanksgiving and never did. It came in handy here! The pancakes were great (I’ve actually never made pancakes from scratch before), and they had the perfect pumpkin and spice flavor that wasn’t too overpowering and that didn’t get overpowered by the chocolate chips. I didn’t have any buttermilk on hand so I just used sour cream and they came out fine! The batter was a little thick, but it still worked.
Food 52: Orecchiette with Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale, and Caramelized Red Onion
I haven’t made this one yet but I fully intend to. It sounds SO good. I love anything with pasta, I love butternut squash, and I’ve recently discovered my love for caramelized onions, so I think this will be a winner for me. My husband can’t eat onions, so I’m planning on just making some on the side to add to my bowl. I’ll definitely let you know how this one goes.
Half-Baked Harvest: Cranberry Brie Pastry Tarts
I know it’s a long shot, but if we’re able to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families this year, I’m bringing these. They sound super easy and really tasty! I don’t eat brie often, but when I do, it’s usually in a cozy fall recipe like this.
Barefoot Contessa: Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
I’ve weirdly always wanted to make butternut squash soup, and I never have. You know that episode of Gilmore Girls with the Bracebridge Dinner? They serve some kind of soup that I can’t remember if it’s butternut squash, but it looks like it, and I’ve wanted to make it ever since. I love Ina Garten’s recipes, and she’s never steered me wrong. I like the addition of the apples in this one, too. I’ve always avoided making soups because I thought you needed a blender, which we don’t have, but this recipe specifically calls out a food processor. Score!
Just So Tasty: Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
I’m ending this roundup with a bang! I’ve actually made these before (right after my friend made them and I ate half of them), but I don’t remember if this is the exact recipe I used. But it seems right! I like these kinds of desserts because they’re not overly sweet. The cake is like a warm spice cake, and the cinnamon cream cheese frosting is just perfect paired with it. I’m making a mental note to pick up the ingredients to make these this weekend as I’m writing this!
Do you like to cook or bake? What are your favorite fall recipes?