Autumn is finally here and it has brought all of our favorite things with it. Deep colorful leaves, sweatshirts, hot coffee, cooler weather, football games, bonfires, boots, scarves, and the best thing…the flavors! Along with fall comes pumpkin spice, hearty soups, harvest apples, cheesy dips, toffee mochas, and everything warm and delicious. There’s nothing wrong with adding a few layers of blubber to stay warm for the winter, right? Well here are 6 Autumnal recipes that will have you wishing for fall year round.
1. Need something to warm up with while watching a football game? This delicious Taco Soup will do the trick! Don’t forget to top it with cheddar cheese, sour cream and maybe even some crunched up tortilla chips!
Taco Soup
Ingredients/Directions:
Boil and chop about 4-5 boneless chicken breasts
Sautee one large onion and 1 clove of minced garlic in a few tablespoons of oil.
Add chicken to onions in a large pot.
Then add the following ingredients
Two 8 oz. cans of tomato sauce
Two cans Ro-Tel tomatoes
Two cans black beans,
Two drained cans of yellow corn,
1 can chicken broth
2 packages taco seasoning
You can add a little water, if needed. Simmer together for about 10 minutes, and you’re ready to go!
2. Are you always waiting for the pumpkin spice latte to return to the Starbucks menu? Well, while you’re stuck in Boone without the delicious drink, why not try these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins? They’re sure to suffice!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Ingredients:
2 boxes of Pillsbury yellow cake mix (just dry mix, don’t add other ingredients listed on directions)
1 29 oz can of Libby’s pure pumpkin
1 bag of milk chocolate chips
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
2 1/2 tsp of nutmeg
Blend with a mixer and spoon into greased mini muffin tins, bake at 350 for roughly 20 minutes, and enjoy the deliciousness!
3. Don’t get me wrong, I love sweet stuff, but I am a total sucker for a good hearty dip. Sit me down with a bag of tortilla chips and dip, and I’m set! This yummy Vidalia onion dip is perfect for tailgating, birthday get togethers, or any fun fall festivity!
Vidalia Onion Dip
3 Cups finely chopped onions
2 cups mayonnaise
2 cups grate Swiss Cheese
¼- ½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
paprika
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix onion, mayo, swiss cheese and Tabasco sause. Spread in 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with paprika to taste. Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve with chips or crackers. Enjoy!
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4. One of my favorite things to do is snuggle up on the couch with a mug of something deliciously soothing. A cup of Joe can get old after weeks of studying; this Russian Tea is the ideal coffee break.
Russian Tea
2 cups Tang instant drink
1 cup instant tea with lemon
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
Mix all together and store in an air tight container. Add a few teaspoons to hot water and enjoy! (You just have to add enough until it tastes good to you!)
5. Do you have a boyfriend who’s too macho to eat any of the first 4 recipes? Well this next one will even satisfy him! This Chili is quick, easy and an all American pleaser.
Super Easy Chili
2 lb hamburger meat browned and drained
2 cans of Chili Magic beans (1 blue can & 1 green can)
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 small can of tomato sauce
Add water if it’s too thick. Stir together and simmer for 10 minutes. Enjoy!
6. Everyone knows that autumn is the ideal season for apple picking! Ok..so maybe your’s are store bought and that’s okay! This recipe will make any apple taste cinnamon-sweet and it’s even better a-la-mode!
Apple Dumplings
2 medium golden delicious or granny smith apples
1 pkg. refrigerated Crescent rolls (which make anything taste good!)
1 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 stick butter
Peel apples and cut into 8 pieces, removing the seeds. Wrap each piece of apple with one triangle shaped crescent roll, making sure that the apple is completely covered. Place dumplings in casserole dish. Set aside.
Combine sugar, butter, and orange juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles. Pour the heated mixture over the dumplings. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 350, uncovered, until golden brown…usuallyabout 20 minutes. Serve warm, topped with Cool Whip or vanilla ice cream.
Now, get cooking!