Satisfying sweater weather dishes to make this weekend

As the season of hamburgers, hot dogs, and backyard barbecuing fun finally winds down, we say goodbye to days at the beach and summer’s beautiful sunsets until next year. The brisk chill of the fall air replaces the humidity, and our thoughts turn to all things warm and comfy: bonfires, blankets, and, most of all, food.

The pinnacle of comfort is found in the classic flavors of autumn. They run so much deeper than just the traditional Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing and can be whipped up with ease by even the most novice of home chefs.

Whether it’s a weekend breakfast or a cozy fall dinner, we have some tasty thoughts on fall flavor.

Cozy Breakfasts

Nothing evokes the spirit of fall quite like the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove wafting through the house. A freshly baked breakfast casserole topped with brown sugar and maple syrup that you can prepare the night before and just pop in the oven come morning is the perfect balance of easy and delicious. Whether you’re spending a Saturday morning with the family in your flannel pajamas or serving a Sunday brunch to your friends, the Pumpkin French Toast Casserole is a simple, sweet start to any day. This dish begins with cinnamon raisin bread, cream cheese, and pumpkin and ends with smiles all around the table.

If you enjoy your breakfast a little less sweet, this autumnally-inspired meal will surely give everyone that warm and happy feeling that fall is so famous for. The classic combination of savory pork sausage and sweet apples, such as Honeycrisp, Gala or Red Delicious along with a cheddar cheese top are the delectable base on which the Sausage-Apple Puff Pancake is built. Pour a sweetened egg mixture over everything and pop it in the oven. Top it off with Crème Fraiche or the finest maple syrup, and that’s it! Minimal time in the kitchen leaves more time to enjoy the beautiful fall days you’ve been waiting all year for. Simple enough for even the budding cook, this dish is a testament to the fact that delicious doesn’t have to mean difficult.

Delish Main Dishes

For those especially blustery autumn days when you need a meal that will warm you from the inside out, look no further than a steaming bowl of Butternut Squash Risotto. The quintessential fall comfort food, it’s all the flavors you expect when you think of this time of year. A scrumptious, creamy combination of butternut squash and parmesan cheese dressed up with a little white wine, this dish is the culinary equivalent of a hug. There is a little bit of stirring and patience required, but the result is so worth it, you will want to take your time enjoying this dish.

Zucchini is a versatile food that lends itself to many appetizing applications. Zucchini Parmesan is a fantastic way to enjoy your veggies and still feel like you're just a little bit decadent. Slice it thick, sauté it with onion and garlic, cover it with a simple tomato sauce, and a ridiculous amount of mozzarella. Slip it into the oven long enough to uncork your favorite bottle of wine and you have a lovely, simple fall dinner that is just as easy to prepare for 20 as it is for one. So make a garlic loaf to go with it and invite all your friends over for an impromptu dinner party. Eat, drink, and be happy!

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If you are looking for a slightly more sophisticated entrée that is the epitome of autumnal cuisine, try your hand at a Rosemary-Scented Pork Loin stuffed with roasted garlic, dried apricots, and cranberries. Served with a port wine pan sauce, this dish is elegant and hearty enough to be the star of your Thanksgiving table but not so complex that it couldn’t be enjoyed on any given Tuesday night. Plate it with a side of creamy mashed potatoes or warm, homemade applesauce for a bona fide comfort food experience. Sit next to a window and enjoy your flavorful and beautiful food while enjoying the sights of an equally beautiful season.

Simple Sides

If you find that you have been invited to enjoy someone else’s fall favorites and don’t want to show up empty-handed, there are a multitude of side dishes that wonderfully reflect the tastes of the season. For example, roasted Brussel sprouts are a favorite this time of year and often among people who claim to not like Brussel sprouts!

Roasting the sprouts until they are the darkest brown, with nothing more than olive oil, salt, and pepper, brings out a sweetness that makes them a terrific addition to any table. Even the most discriminating palates will be pleasantly surprised with these little gems!

While you’re in a roasting mode, be sure that you add Olive Oil-Roasted Eggplant with Lemon to your list of dishes to try this fall. As straightforward as it sounds, you need nothing more than eggplant, olive oil, and lemon juice. And of course, salt and pepper. Typically served as a side dish, this treat would also be delicious as a snack or even a light lunch! Eggplant is incredibly hearty and stands up well to multiple preparations. However, a simple roasting is all that is needed to bring it to life. Finish with a drizzle of lemon juice and let everyone wonder how you became such a gourmet.

As fall ushers in “sweater weather,” it also brings with it a little extra time to enjoy all the enchanting feelings that come with the season as well as the togetherness.

Even though the sun sets earlier, there’s still a little extra time to enjoy the beauty of the colorful falling leaves and the scents that permeate the crisp autumn air. And there is always time to enjoy the rich, comforting flavors that fall is best known for. So put on your apron, grab your favorite recipes and let the spectacular autumnal season come alive in your kitchen.

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