Fall Recipes

By: Lukas Tzikas

As the weather and leaves change throughout the coming months, so too do our palates. The flavors of fall are that of sweet treats and Thanksgiving, mouthwatering foods not many can resist. I’ve gathered together four recipes that will help bring out your inner fall spirit and satisfy family and friends alike. These recipes range from beginner to intermediate difficulty,even though they all yield a delicious result. Remember to always practice good cooking hygiene and to make sure all ingredients and tools you will need for cooking are readily available to you before you begin. That being said, let’s get cooking!

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1. Caramel Apples (Beginner)

Total Time: Prep: 20 min. Cook: 25 min. + cooling Yield: 10-12 Apples Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter, cubed

• 2 cups packed brown sugar

• 1 cup light corn syrup

• Dash salt

• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 10-12 medium tart apples, washed and dried

• 10-12 popsicle sticks

Directions:

1. In a large heavy saucepan, melt butter; add the brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, about 10-12 minutes. Stir in milk. Cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 248 deg F (firm-ball stage). Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla.

2. Insert sticks into apples. Dip each apple into hot caramel mixture; turn to coat. Place on greased wax paper until set.

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2. Sweet Potato Casserole (Beginner)

Total Time:

Prep: 20 min.

Cook: 40 min.

Yield:

8-12 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1 can (40 oz.) of Cut Yams (Sweet Potatoes in Syrup), drained

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/3 cup butter or margarine

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 cups mini marshmallows

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 deg F. Mix salt and brown sugar. Combine drained Yams, the brown sugar mixture, and butter or margarine in a large mixing bowl. Transfer to a casserole dish.

2. Bake uncovered for 30-40 mins until glazed. Remove from oven and sprinkle marshmallows on top of the casserole. Bake until golden brown.

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3. “Texas Toast” Sausage Stuffing (Intermediate)

Total Time:

Prep: 20 min.

Cook: 45 min.

Yield:

12 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. of Ground Italian Sausage

• 12 slices or 1 and ½ packages of “New York Brand Texas Garlic Toast”

• ½ cup butter

• 2 medium onions, chopped

• 2 cups celery, chopped

• 1 cup green pepper, chopped

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• 2 cups chicken broth

• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Bake the Texas Toast in a 425 deg F oven for 10 minutes; cool and cut into 1-1/2” pieces. Transfer to a bowl; lower oven to 325 deg F.

2. In a large skillet, brown and cook crumbled sausage until no longer pink. Drain and remove from skillet; set aside. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onion, celery, and green pepper until tender.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine sausage, vegetable mixture, and Texas Toast. Add eggs and broth; toss gently. Salt and pepper to taste.

4. Spoon into a buttered 3 to 4 quart baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 325 deg F for 60 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes longer or until lightly browned. Check internal temp with a meat thermometer, it should read 265 deg F when done.

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Buttermilk Cornbread and Maple Butter (Intermediate)

Total Time:

For Cornbread:

Prep: 15 min.

Cook 25 min.

For Butter:

Prep: 5 min.

Cook: 0 min.

Yield:

9 Servings

Ingredients: For Cornbread:

• ¾ cup cornmeal

• ¾ cup flour

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 3 Tbsp sugar

• ¾ tsp salt

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 ½ cup buttermilk

• ¼ cup butter, melted

For Butter:

• ½ cup butter, softened

• ¼ cup maple syrup (darkest grade available)

Directions:

Buttermilk Cornbread:

1. In a large skillet, brown and cook crumbled sausage until no longer pink. Drain and remove from skillet; set aside. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onion, celery, and green pepper until tender.

2. Preheat oven to 425 deg F and brush a 8” sq. baking dish with butter or spray with cooking spray. Combine cornmeal, flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, and salt; blend very well. In a separate bowl combine eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter; mix well.

3. Combine wet mixture into dry mixture. Stir quickly until moistened. Transfer mixture into baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden.

Maple Butter:

1. Gather ingredients. In a large bowl combine together ingredients with a whisk or hand-mixer if available. Transfer into a container you can cover and chill.