What do you think of when someone says Fall?

Apple cider? Pumpkins? Pulling out the sweaters and hoodies?  Walking outside into the crisp air, smelling leaves burning... Whatever thoughts I have about fall all make me smile.  There is just something about it when the weather turns from hot to cool and you can curl up with a blanket and a hot drink that just is so happy.  Well, for me this is something that calls for a party.  So, in between Halloween and Thanksgiving, why not have a fall party?  This is what I did last night. This meal is quite filling, so may I suggest taking a small siesta in between courses :)  Here are the recipes that I used that all turned out delicious:

Appetizers:
-Best Spinach Dip

-Sauteed Butternut Squash
-Pigs in a blanket  (I use the little weenie sausages)
-Spinach Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette and I chopped up some green apples and mixed them in the dressing to keep them from turning brown.  I sprinkled Candied Pecan pieces on top. (Feta cheese would be good too) 

 Main Course:
  -Chili (the one that I already posted about earlier)
  -Cornbread



Dessert:

-Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle and hot apple cider
I made my own whipped cream instead of using cool whip by beating heavy whipping cream with a teaspoon vanilla and a few tablespoons sugar.  I also added some pumpkin pie spice to my pumpkin mixture and it was delicious :)
So.... Happy Fall!

Cookies- fast, different and delicious

 There are few things in the realm of food that I love more than cookies.  Whether you are 3 years old sitting in front of the oven window gazing in anticipation as M&M cookies rise before your eyes as the irresistible aroma fills the house or you are cooking 12 different kinds of cookies for Christmas, or coming in from a long day of playing in the snow to sit in front of a fireplace, you can insert cookies into any day and it just makes it a little bit better. 

Oreo Truffles are some of my favorites:
Oreo Truffles are just a few minutes away!

One thing that makes them very easy is if you can find the Baker's Chocolate bowls in the baking aisle.  It's a small bowl with a chocolate covered strawberry on the front. You can stick it in the microwave and the chocolate stays melted long enough to dip them.  You will need 2 of these bowls for 1 batch of truffles though.  They are fantastic, but really rich, so maybe make them kind of small.


Above you see another fantastic cookie that is super simple.  It is Just a regular sugar cookie cut in whatever shape you'd like, with Mascarpone cheese on top. This cheese is in a small tub probably near the nicer cheeses like feta (by the deli section) of your grocery store.  It is about the same consistency of cream cheese but without the cream cheese flavor.  Just picture milk if it was the consistency of cream cheese and that's what it tastes like.  It is a great addition to pastas and cheese sauces to make them extra creamy. But for this cookie just spread it on the cookie (once it's cooled) and top with whatever fruit you'd like.  I used peaches, raspberries and blueberries and it was great. 

Both of these are simple recipes that are just a little different and fantastic to serve at parties or wherever.  Just remember, please pick up some milk. Because what are cookies without milk?