Fall trounces the diet

The first three letter of this dreadful word diet, D-I-E, have some very literal implications since death is exactly the feeling that is beginning to overcome me. I've been counting (and cutting) calories for a  month now for a health behavior change class and to be honest, I should have thought about what I was depriving myself of before signing a contract. On the bright side, I've dropped a few pounds and some of jeans that were being neglected forever are finally fitting. Zac has also joined me in this endeavor so I have managed to eliminate most sources of subtle sabotage that may occur. I only have to be meticulous about what I eat for another week so I am thrilled since fall is my absolute favorite time of the year to be in the kitchen. All the produce I crave is in season, you can have hot chocolate without sweating and best of all, baking supplies always seem to go on sale this time of year. My only complaint is that it always goes by way too fast and then winter just goes on forever... in fact, the snow that came down yesterday is beginning to worry me that fall will only last for another week or two.

Which is exactly why I've planned our meals from November 5th to December 15th already to make sure I get to try all the recipes I've been hoarding since last fall (Zac thinks it's borderline obsessive and excessive, but I just think too much of a good thing, especially food, can only be wonderful).

So my ten absolutes that the kitchen needs for the fall...

1. Butternut Squash 

Perfect roasted with onions then blended with some stock for a soup

2.Apples 

Jonathans, granny smith, pink ladies, and honey crisp are my favorite for pies and crisps

3.Broccolini (for some reason I see these more often during the fall and they are so good steamed with butter)

 4.Swiss/Rainbow Char and Kale 

The best for dropping into soups, or sauteing with garlic, balsamic vinegar and shiitake mushrooms

5.Ham hocks They aren't the nest looking things but they are absolutely packed with savory goodness and work really great in soups or stewed lentils. My grandma used them all time in stews.

 6.Lentils

Red or green, these are my go to legume in the fall to put in soups

7.Pumpkin

 Pie, mousse, soup, grilled, mashed, roasted...you name it and it is delicious

8.Leeks/scallions 

I tend to choose these over onions this time of year especially for soups...it's milder and very aromatic

9.Chicken stock

I could not make it through this season without having this on hand, it's so reassuring to walk in my pantry and see that I have about 5 gallons of chicken stock ready to use

I really like Pacific's free range low sodium, fat free stock

                                             10.Cinnamon & Nutmeg 

This is the only time of the year I ever break out the nutmeg for white sauces and gravy

Also, using really good quality cinnamon makes all the difference

Happy autumn!