{A Dash of Love} Fall Comfort Food

Hello Fall! Hello all!

You all know how much I love summer. I love it more than an otter loves swimming backwards! And Fall, such a nice change, is my 3rd favorite season!! I know, I know, but Spring wins second place only because it contains my Birthday. I love love love all that comes with Fall though. I love the colors...those gorgeous ruby tinted leaves and cozy orange pumpkins. I love the smells...fresh ripe apples, crisp fall air, and spicy cinnamon. The food...full of seasonal goodies, savory and sweet. So, once the Pumpkin Spice Latte returns to Starbuck's, I consider it Fall! I was one of the first in line for one, and had this place decked out in fall foliage that very same day!

With the crazy fall wreaths and pumpkin flavored candles also came the fall munchies. I have been baking and cooking galore! And loving every minute of it.

This weekend I got to share the kitchen with one of my favorites, my future mother-in-law! I adore her. She is an amazing cook and we always have the best time playing in the kitchen! We whipped up some yummy goodies that I had to share. Mostly because I was threatened if I didn't by some very hungry friends... lol

First up.....

Apple Cheese Danish

Ingredients:

-Cooked apples (recipe found here! )

-2 cans cresent rolls (I used seamless kind)

-8oz cream cheese, softened

-3 tablespoons lemon juice

-1/2 cup sugar

-1 cup powdered sugar

-1/4 cup milk, or until get desired consistency

-1 tsp vanilla

Directions

-Preheat oven to 350

-Mix together cream cheese, lemon juice, and regular sugar until smooth

-Roll out cresent dough, close seams if you got the regular kind

-Here you can slather on 1/4 of the cheese mixture, which is my preferred way for taste 

 (but it doesnt look pretty)

-Or you can just skip to the next step..

-Roll the dough up like a burrito and pinch off ends, cut into approx. 2 inch slices 

 (should look like cinnamon rolls)

-If you didn't add the cheese mixture before, do it now by just spooning a dollop on top

-Also place a dollop of the apple mixture, or your favorite jam, on top

 (repeat for the other can of cresent rolls)

-Bake for 13-15 minutes or until bubbly and golden

-While they bake, mix together the icing (powdered sugar,milk,and vanilla) until desired consistency

-Once the danishes are done, drizzle with icing!

So yummy! So easy! So great with coffee! So good reheated for breakfast in the morning!

Simple Veggie-Beef Soup

Ingredients:

-Beef roast (I didn't even look at the weight of ours, but base it on how much meat YOU want)

-1 onion, chopped

-3 stalks of celery, chopped

-1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables (we got carrots, corn, peas, and green beans)

-1 can of beans (we used crowder peas)

-1 can of diced tomatoes

-2 or 3 handfuls of pasta (we used these cute saucer shaped ones, but elbow macaroni would work)

 (can easily omit pasta, I just like a few in there)

-4 small/medium potatoes, chopped

-2 cloves minced garlic

-approx 1 tbs of seasoned salt

-1 46oz can of tomato juice (in the actual juice isle)

-1 32oz can of beef broth

-1 cup of water, or to desired consistency

Directions:

-Get a big pot, a HUGE pot! Or cut the ingredients in half for a normal size pot...this makes A LOT of soup!

-Saute the onions, celery, and garlic over medium high heat, with a drizzle of oil 

-Add in the beef and saute until it is brown

-Add in the beef broth and potatoes, bring to a boil

-Add in the vegetables, beans, tomatoes, pasta, and tomato juice...bring to a boil

-This soup boils down a lot, so add in water to desired consistency! 

-Let it simmer for at least 45 minutes, but it can go as long as you like

-Salt, season salt, and pepper to your desired taste!

-Enjoy with a ham and gouda grilled cheese...it is amazing! 

I hope you try these out! They are perfect for that chilly fall weather. And perfectly cozy. And perfect for those stay-in-your-pjs-watching-tv-all-day kind of days... Please let me know if you give them a go! :)