Take a Bite Into Fall

Are you looking for the perfect meal to keep you warm and cozy as the weather gets chilly?

Pictured above: sweet potato gnocchi elegantly plated with parmesan on top. Image credits: LastIngredient.com

From appetizers to desserts, this guide has you covered for any mood.

Let’s start with the appetizer.

Sweet potato fries

Ingredients (4 servings): 4 sweet potatoes, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp cornstarch, seasoning (I used ½ tsp of salt, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder)

1. Wash and dry your potatoes. Slice your sweet potatoes into any thickness you’d like depending on how crispy you want your fries, about ½ to ¼ inch. Soak potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F, and prepare a baking tray with parchment paper.

3. Drain and use paper towels to dry the potatoes, making sure there isn’t any excess moisture.

4. Coat the potatoes with olive oil in a bowl, and then add the cornstarch and seasoning. Make sure they’re evenly coated. Distribute them evenly on the baking sheet.

5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, then flip over and bake for another 7-10 minutes.

6. Serve with any dipping sauce and enjoy!

Here are some main dishes!

Sweet potato gnocchi with browned butter alfredo sauce

Ingredients (4 servings): 3 sweet potatoes, 1 egg, 1 tsp salt, 1 ½ to 2 cups flour, more as needed

1. Poke holes with a fork into sweet potatoes, microwave or bake until soft, allow to cool then peel and remove flesh

2. Mash sweet potatoes in a large bowl and add the egg and 1 ½ cups flour, add flour as needed until dough can be formed into a ball (try not to add too much flour)

3. Transfer to a well floured surface, portion into 4 parts and roll into ropes. Cut ropes into 1 inch pieces and roll over the back of a fork, creating an imprint.

4. Start making sauce while you bring a large pot of water to a boil

5. Once water is boiled, add gnocchi and cook until it floats (should take about 3-4 minutes)

6. Strain and add into the pan with the sauce, combine

7. Serve hot and enjoy!

Sauce:

Ingredients: 4 tbsp butter, 4 tbsp flour, 3 cups half and half, 1 tsp salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

1. Add butter to a large pan and cook for 2-3 mins until golden brown

2. Add flour until mixture thickens, then whisk in half and half until no lumps remain

3. Add spices, salt, and parmesan cheese and stir until melted

This is what you’ve all been waiting for: the banana bread! This is not the original recipe, but I have added some elements to give it a true fall taste.

Fall-themed banana bread with cream cheese icing

Ingredients: 2 overripe bananas, 1 cup flour, ⅔ cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, ½ cup butter, ¾ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp cinnamon and nutmeg, 2 tbsp vanilla extract, ½ cup toasted walnuts, ½ cup cream cheese, ⅓ cup powdered sugar, ¼ cup milk

1. Prepare a loaf pan with oil and flour

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

3. Add the butter to a medium saucepan, cook until golden brown (be careful not to burn it)

4. Transfer butter to a large mixing bowl and add sugar, mix until combined, then add 1 egg at a time into mixture

5. Mash bananas, combine, add 1 tbsp vanilla extract

6. In a medium bowl, sift the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking soda together

7. Spoon dry mixture into wet mixture, combine slowly, add walnuts

8. Transfer to loaf pan, bake for 45-50 mins until toothpick comes out dry (crumbs are okay)

9. While in the oven, combine 1 tbsp vanilla extract, sifted powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, and milk in a bowl

10. Remove from oven, chill and top with icing

11. Enjoy!