By: Jo Rochelle
It’s that time of year; temperatures are dropping, leaves are changing, and sweater-scarf combos are making an appearance. Autumn is upon us. Alas, the fall aesthetic of rosy cheeks, acoustic music, and bonfires wouldn’t be complete without food! Keep reading to find seven seasonal recipes, complete with reviews by yours truly.
- Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
Okay, this one isn’t really something to go out and make yourself. Any coffee drinker knows that it’s nearly impossible to make your own coffee that tastes just like Starbucks. Nevertheless, I wanted to see what is so great about the drink that makes it a staple for so many people, particularly when fall rolls around. I walked into the local Starbucks, slammed my hand on the counter, and demanded a small pumpkin spice latte. I was ready for my world to be rocked–and almost immediately was let down. My opinion might be the unpopular one here, but I really don’t see what all the hype is about. The latte was good, but there was no out-of-body experience, which I’d been led to believe I would have.
Caramel apples are one of my favorite parts about going to the State Fair. This particular drink is like drinking a caramel apple. Apple cider, heavy cream, and brown sugar come together to form a beverage that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Adding whipped cream and caramel sauce on top makes it all the more delicious! And it’s a great alternative to coffee or lattes, for anyone looking to cut back on caffeine.
Wassail (pronounced wah-suhl) is a seasonal drink that uses apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, pineapple juice, cinnamon and cloves. Apple and citrus are always good together, and, with the spices mixed in, it’s like drinking the holidays. It’s also fairly easy to make.
I know. Who puts mashed potatoes in a muffin? Luckily for everyone who’s slightly grossed out by the name, the mashed potatoes aren’t actually baked into muffins. They are instead mixed with cheese and chives and then baked in muffin tins. The result is a lovely little bite of cheesy mashed potato inside a crispy crust. I may or may not have eaten all of them. By myself. In one sitting…
I regret nothing.
These little bundles of joy are the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, or really any meal. Marshmallows and bacon are added to baked sweet potatoes, then baked again to make a sweet and savory pocket of awesomeness. Personally, I went light on the bacon and heavy on the marshmallow.
No, it’s not as racist as it sounds. White chili uses Great Northern beans, ground turkey, and other goodies, along with some pepper-jack cheese for kick. The great thing about chili is that you can tweak the recipe to fit your own tastes, and then make a big pot to eat from for weeks. I added extra cheese and a little red pepper. It was like a spicy party in my stomach. If you don’t want too much spice, cut down the amount of cheese and salsa.
What is an autumn spread without pumpkin pie? Weak, that’s what it is. But if you’re looking for a twist on the classic dessert, I’ve got just the thing. Literally. All the flavors of pumpkin pie are wrapped in flaky crust and topped with cream cheese frosting like a seasonal toaster strudel. It’s like Niagara Falls in my mouth. Really.
Try any of these recipes, or find your own, to make autumn a bit more tasty this year!
The Heritage Herald 