Fall brings a whole new set of menu items to the table. It seems everywhere you look there’s another pumpkin spice, apple, or maple-flavored food popping up. The best autumn cooking ideas come from mixing and matching all of the seasonal essentials. You can even make a few of your own concoctions. We’ve got some great ideas for fall cooking that will leave your tastebuds wanting more.
Caramel Apple Martini
Combine caramel and apple for the perfect fall martini. Using caramel syrup with a bit of apple cider and cinnamon sugar, you can make the perfect combination. Kids will love the taste of cinnamon and apples with the caramel syrup addition. Of course, if you want the alcoholic twist, add some flavored vodka. You don’t have to make a martini. You can use this caramel syrup in all sorts of fall beverages. The best part about this caramel apple martini is you can make it in a huge batch so guests can shake it up and pour a new one whenever they’re ready for some more autumn magic.
Apple Cider Drumsticks
Anything made with apple cider in the fall is just better. Hot spiced apple cider is a staple for autumn beverages so it just makes sense to bridge the gap into food. Why not mix a hint of summer with fall? Apple cider drumsticks are a great way to bring two fall creations together. You even add a taste of pumpkin pie spice in this recipe to bring the autumn level up a notch. It’s all about sliced apples, chicken drumsticks, and a little bit of brown rice. You’ll be able to sit back and enjoy fall like you’re at a summer barbecue, but with seasonal flavors. Don’t be afraid to try fall flavors that mix and match some of the best flavors.
Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is the vegetable you forgot to love. It’s yummy, good for you, and is a staple in the fall. Some people love it more than pumpkin. You can eat it on its own, or put it in a creation of your making. It’s great for soups, salads, and pasta dishes. You can even put it in bread or hide it in lasagna for a veggie boost. It’s not hard to make either. You just cut it into slices and slip into the cozy creation of the butternut squash. It’s also good for you because it helps fight infection and inflammation. Squash as a whole gets better as the season nears winter, so the best time for this might be the end of fall. It’ll taste good at any point, but the flavors really start to pop at the end of autumn as the harvest is almost complete.
Pumpkin Donuts
Donuts don’t usually shout autumn, but these are a different breed. They’re baked, not fried. This means baked donuts without the grease and mess! These pumpkin donuts make the season come alive with flavor. You don’t even have to have a donut maker as long as you have an oven. Kids can join in on the fun of creating this autumn concoction. You can have them as a meal for breakfast, a dessert after dinner, or a snack at any time of the day. Pumpkin donuts with a hint of cinnamon, sugar, and spice can warm up any day. They are also easy to make to share with friends at a party or to bring to the fall potluck at work. When you need easy, quick, and yummy, go with pumpkin donuts.
Chai
Chai has a subtle, yet amazing flavor in the fall. Whether it’s a hot autumn day or one that actually feels chilly, chai can go iced or hot for the perfect drink. Going beyond your average drink, you can mix chai with all sorts of things. From caramel to chocolate, it adds a great amount of spice. You can even add it to cereal or oatmeal. For the classic version, sip a chai latte or a chai tea on the patio as you watch the leaves fall from the trees.
As you can see, delicious flavors abound this time of year. Try some of these recipes or create some of your own. You will enjoy the autumn season even more!