What's on your Fall menu?

Fall is finally here. The leaves are changing colors, the air is cooler and crisp, and I find myself craving simple, warm dishes.

The photo on the left is of the Southwestern Squash & Leeks Soup I made for Robyn's blog last weekend. The touch of curry added warmth and spice to an otherwise typical butternut squash soup. You'll have to click on the link to find out what Robyn used to top off the soup. It's not to be missed!

I thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite recipes for this time of the year: most of these are one pot meals that don't take too long to prep or cook AND are great for a crowd or solo eating with a few portions saved for leftovers.

Here is a quick soup I made last weekend: all you need is vegetarian broth, to which you add maitake mushrooms, strips of carrots and cook till the vegetables are tender. Then, pile the cooked rice noodles into a bowl, add mushrooms and carrots, cilantro, alfalfa sprouts, thinly sliced scallions and  red chile pepper and top off with the broth. For a bit of a kick, feel free to squeeze some lime or add a dash of Tabasco.

If you are not a soup person, then how about albondigas? They are spicy Spanish meatballs in a tomato sauce that has cinnamon and chocolate among other spices. Last night I had a bowl of polenta with gouda cheese, a few of these meatballs and a glass of Grenache: perfection for sure.

For those of you who watch men run and kick ball and then catch it on TV (I think it's called Football), do you usually have a pot of chili simmering on the stove? Why not try something other than meat + beans? This recipe for sweet potato vegetarian chili might just become one of your favorite fall dishes.

If you just can't go without meat, try my stuffed cabbage recipe. Instead of rice, I used Israeli cous cous. Call your friends over and make these cabbage rolls soon.

And I'll leave you with enchiladas. Make them with chicken, vegetables, or beef. Use red sauce or tomatillo sauce. Either way you roll them (ha ha!), they are a hardy meal that will satisfy your entire family. Here is my recipe for beef and black beans enchiladas.

Hold on, I should probably leave you with something sweet. How about Challah Bread Pudding with dried cherries and chocolate mini chips?

Have a happy Fall weekend. Let me know what you are cooking this season.