With autumn in full swing, you may find yourself tempted by store-bought apple cider and pumpkin pie. To truly capture the season’s essence, though, challenge yourself to more creative, non-traditional activities, such as baking apple pie from scratch, or visiting a local apple orchard for fresh cider. If you’re bored by the customary, try your hand at these recipes that’ll give the whole family new take on fall.
Sweet and Sour Apple Salad
Preparation Time: 10 minutes | Serves: 1-2
What you’ll need:
2 granny smith apples, diced
1/4 cup toasted almonds
1/4 cup dried cranberries
8 oz. vanilla greek yogurt
How it’s done:
Combine tart apples, almonds, cranberries and yogurt in large mixing bowl and mix until evenly distributed. Serve chilled.
Mushroom Fontina Pizza
Preparation Time: 45 minutes | Serves: 3-4
What you’ll need:
1/2 lb. mushroom of your choice, sliced
3 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tbsp. garlic powder
1/2 tbsp. thyme, fresh or powdered
1 tsp. paprika
3 oz. sliced fontina cheese
1 lb. pizza dough of your choice
Pinch of salt and pepper
Optional: 1 large egg
How it’s done:
Preheat oven to 450F and lightly grease a large baking sheet.
Combine oil, mushroom, salt, pepper and garlic in large skillet and fry until fully browned on high heat.
Place one layer of Fontina cheese on dough.
Transfer contents of skillet to a second layer.
Top with a final layer of Fontina.
Place pizza in oven and cook for about 15 minutes until crust is golden brown.
For additional flavor, add a fried egg with a slightly runny yolk to center of dish.
Sprinkle thyme and paprika over entire dish and enjoy.
Zesty Cheese Tortellini
Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes | Serves: 1-2
What you’ll need:
1 cup tortellini of your choice (Recommended: Buitoni Three Cheese)
1 tbsp. low fat butter
2 tbsp. garlic powder or fresh garlic cloves
1/2 cup spinach
2 tbsp. fresh basil
Optional: 1 cup mixed mushroom
How it’s done:
Boil tortellini, spinach and mushroom in medium saucepan until fluffy.
Drain.
Mix butter and garlic in small bowl.
Add butter and garlic to mixture, stirring well.
Serve warm.
Rosemary Portobellos
Preparation Time: 30 minutes | Serves: 1-2
What you’ll need:
1 large portobello mushroom cap
2 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tsp. grated rosemary
1 tbsp. fresh basil
1/2 tbsp. crushed red peppers
How it’s done:
Remove stem from portobello to make room for spread.
Spread oil, rosemary, basil and peppers on underside of mushroom.
Bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes, or until soft.
Enjoy with sauce of your choice.
Homemade Cinnamon-Spice Pumpkin Bread
Preparation Time: 90 minutes | Serves: 5-10
What you’ll need:
2 8×4 inch loaf pans
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
15 oz. pure pumpkin
2 large eggs
How it’s done:
Preheat oven to 325F.
Grease loaf pans thoroughly with unsalted butter.
Mix together flour, baking soda, salt and spices in a large mixing bowl. Mix well and set aside.
In a separate bowl, mix butter, sugar, eggs and pumpkin. Combine and mix both bowls.
Evenly pour mixture into loaf pans, a little more than half way.
Let bake 60-75 minutes using a toothpick to check consistency.
Let cool 10 minutes and serve with milk or coffee.