Fall is gorgeous. I swear more car accidents must happen in the Fall and the Spring because drivers are mesmerized, like me, with the colorful landscape. Almost a week ago, it was the peak of fall color where I live. It seemed every leaf remained on the tree and yet the landscape was a breath-taking array of gradations between yellow, orange, and red. We were gifted with an unseasonably warm week to enjoy the scenery, but inevitably it’s become chilly and the leaves once high above have formed puddles of color on the ground.
I was so lucky last week to get to go with great friends to a farm and pick apples. Not only was this s fun activity for the company and beauty of our surroundings, but the anticipation of enjoying my apples and whatever I will make with them began to fill us as we picked. I don’t believe I’ve shared this yet, but I am a serial party host. I love parties! For weeks if not months I will plan decorations, a guest list, invitations (or with modern-day conveniences, a facebook page), details swirl in my head until I have selected everything from the perfect menu, to the right soundtrack for the evening. The Autumn Party I usually throw is always one of the best, for the season practically hands me a theme. We carve pumpkins, eat pumpkin pie and bread, drink apple cider, I can decorate with oranges and deep greens, dried leaves and gourds abound for some detail within my decor. This weekend I was fortunate enough to have Autumn Party 2010 and after some raves on some of my (very easy!) dishes, I thought I’d share recipes from the week past. Go outside to catch one more glimpse of the Autun beauty, head to your farmer’s market for delicious in season gourds, and then enjoy these scrumptious treats with friends.
Pumpkin Pudding
This recipe is more than simple. Anyone can make this. I want to warn, I do not usually use processed pre-made products in any recipe I make. But, we all have our weakness’, and I am in the camp of “Have exactly what you want, in moderation” So here’s a yummy recipe for Pumpkin Pudding I created using instant vanilla pudding.
Ingredients:
instant Vanilla Pudding – serves 4
1% milk, (2 cups or according to package)
3/4 c Pumpkin Puree
1/2 t Cinnamon
1/8 t Nutmeg
Whisk Pumpkin and milk together until completely liquified and blended. Add spices and pudding mix and whisk 2 mins (or according to package). Pour into individual serving containers such as ramekins and refrigerate 5mins. Serve cold.
Crock Pot Applesauce
Another easy recipe! Yummy hot or cold. Great heated over ice cream! Or chilled stirred into plain yogurt.
6-8 apples cored, peeled, and chopped finely
1/2c water
1t cinnamon
1/8t nutmeg
1/4 sugar (or Stevia equivalent)
Place all ingredients in a Crockpot, stir, and heat on low for 6-8 hours. Stir occasionally. Done when everything is soft and apples breakdown.
Warm Spiced Apple Cider
Great for parties! Only takes a few minutes; a few minutes that add class and uniqueness.
1 Orange, sliced into rounds
1 small Apple
Apple Cider
1/2 Cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
1/2 spiced rum
Place orange, apple, spices and cider in a crockpot and stir. Set on low for 1-2 hours. Stir rum in right before serving and set crockpot on low.
