I discovered this book on my bookshelf this week while I was trying to make room on the shelves for some new books before the housecleaners arrived. Do you do that? Scramble around trying to madly tidy up your living space just before the cleaners arrive? I swear, I spend two hours putting things away before the house cleaners come, just to clear my space of clutter. In this case, I pulled a couple of books off the shelf, thinking i hadn't used them in years, and could donate them and make space on the shelves for some new purchases.
But. But then… I took a look at the books I had pulled and had a change of heart. Autumn Gatherings? What was I thinking? I can't get rid of that. Why, it's autumn for heaven's sake. There could be some good recipes in there.
And there were.
As I browsed through this forgotten and neglected book, I realized I had on hand a real gem of inspiration for some lovely autumnal meals. Of course I didn't toss it. I had to keep it. This weekend, to justify my decision, I made one of Rick Rodgers' fall recipes. Chicken Cacciatore Ragu served over Creamy Polenta. My husband is still sighing deeply, saying, "Wow, that chicken dish was so good".
Autumn Gatherings by Rick Rodgers is available on Amazon. I won't give the recipe here because I want to encourage you to check out the book. The book is only $11 and is full of terrific fall inspired recipes involving chicken, pork, butternut squash, apples, pumpkin and turkey. Truly, it is worth a purchase.
The recipe was pretty basic. I chopped up some onions and mushrooms while I waited for some cut up boneless chicken thighs to brown up. I added some canned diced tomatoes and red wine. It simmered contentedly on the range while I stirred up some Parmesan and butter laced polenta. It was pretty divine.
So, what have you been cooking up lately? Anything autumnal? I also made some pumpkin bread this past weekend, which was yummy, but needs to be tweaked. I baked it a skosh too long, and honestly, the addition of some mini chocolate chips might be a stroke of brilliance…
33 responses to “Autumn Cooking”
I love to make soups in the fall… my husband is a health nut so I made him a kale soup. Just load everything into the crock pot and wait four hours. It was actually pretty good… a good thing cuz ther’s enough for a week! XOX
I love to make soups in the fall… my husband is a health nut so I made him a kale soup. Just load everything into the crock pot and wait four hours. It was actually pretty good… a good thing cuz ther’s enough for a week! XOX
I love to make soups in the fall… my husband is a health nut so I made him a kale soup. Just load everything into the crock pot and wait four hours. It was actually pretty good… a good thing cuz ther’s enough for a week! XOX
That looks so yummy!!
We had pot roast for Sunday dinner so those bits of lefover roast will go into veggie soup and DH will make cornbread. Ahhhhh!
Hugs!
That looks so yummy!!
We had pot roast for Sunday dinner so those bits of lefover roast will go into veggie soup and DH will make cornbread. Ahhhhh!
Hugs!
That looks so yummy!!
We had pot roast for Sunday dinner so those bits of lefover roast will go into veggie soup and DH will make cornbread. Ahhhhh!
Hugs!
I have a few Rick Rodgers books, even took a class from him once. He has a talent for making good food both interesting and accessible. I haven’t seen this book, but it does remind me I need to pull out another one of his and have a look. Chili was our autumnal (well, winterish since it snowed)meal last night.
I have a few Rick Rodgers books, even took a class from him once. He has a talent for making good food both interesting and accessible. I haven’t seen this book, but it does remind me I need to pull out another one of his and have a look. Chili was our autumnal (well, winterish since it snowed)meal last night.
I have a few Rick Rodgers books, even took a class from him once. He has a talent for making good food both interesting and accessible. I haven’t seen this book, but it does remind me I need to pull out another one of his and have a look. Chili was our autumnal (well, winterish since it snowed)meal last night.
I had to laugh about de-cluttering before the house cleaner arrives–we just finished that task & are even ready before the doorbell rings! It’s been cooler & we’ve had a bit of snow so Fall cooking is happening here, too. Ham & beans soup with lots of veggies warmed us up last week & chili before that!
I had to laugh about de-cluttering before the house cleaner arrives–we just finished that task & are even ready before the doorbell rings! It’s been cooler & we’ve had a bit of snow so Fall cooking is happening here, too. Ham & beans soup with lots of veggies warmed us up last week & chili before that!
I had to laugh about de-cluttering before the house cleaner arrives–we just finished that task & are even ready before the doorbell rings! It’s been cooler & we’ve had a bit of snow so Fall cooking is happening here, too. Ham & beans soup with lots of veggies warmed us up last week & chili before that!
we have been smoking a lot of pork. Butts, tenderloins, roasts. Then the leftovers are used to make Cubans, pulled pork sandwiches, or thrown in stir fry!! In fact, lunch will be more pork roast chunks with BBQ sauce.
we have been smoking a lot of pork. Butts, tenderloins, roasts. Then the leftovers are used to make Cubans, pulled pork sandwiches, or thrown in stir fry!! In fact, lunch will be more pork roast chunks with BBQ sauce.
we have been smoking a lot of pork. Butts, tenderloins, roasts. Then the leftovers are used to make Cubans, pulled pork sandwiches, or thrown in stir fry!! In fact, lunch will be more pork roast chunks with BBQ sauce.
Nicole, Try Pumpkin Pie Bread off of allreipes.com. So, so good! I also make a pumpkin choc chip cookie that is my kids favourite. I’ll email you the recipe if you decide you want to try them. Have a great day!
Nicole, Try Pumpkin Pie Bread off of allreipes.com. So, so good! I also make a pumpkin choc chip cookie that is my kids favourite. I’ll email you the recipe if you decide you want to try them. Have a great day!
Nicole, Try Pumpkin Pie Bread off of allreipes.com. So, so good! I also make a pumpkin choc chip cookie that is my kids favourite. I’ll email you the recipe if you decide you want to try them. Have a great day!
That recipe sounds delicious! We just saw our first flakes of snow this past weekend, so it’s the season for chicken & vegetable soup and apple pie. Also, I made butter chicken in my slow cooker and it turned out delicious.
I read this morning about the fires in California. I don’t know which part of the state you live in, but I hope that you and your family are safe.
That recipe sounds delicious! We just saw our first flakes of snow this past weekend, so it’s the season for chicken & vegetable soup and apple pie. Also, I made butter chicken in my slow cooker and it turned out delicious.
I read this morning about the fires in California. I don’t know which part of the state you live in, but I hope that you and your family are safe.
That recipe sounds delicious! We just saw our first flakes of snow this past weekend, so it’s the season for chicken & vegetable soup and apple pie. Also, I made butter chicken in my slow cooker and it turned out delicious.
I read this morning about the fires in California. I don’t know which part of the state you live in, but I hope that you and your family are safe.
I love pumpkin soup and already had it two times now it’s just yumy and one of the few soups I really love (not a soup eater that much). And lasagne, of course, made from scratch nothing is better than that.
I love pumpkin soup and already had it two times now it’s just yumy and one of the few soups I really love (not a soup eater that much). And lasagne, of course, made from scratch nothing is better than that.
I love pumpkin soup and already had it two times now it’s just yumy and one of the few soups I really love (not a soup eater that much). And lasagne, of course, made from scratch nothing is better than that.
I really need to step it up in the kitchen. I am so bored with my cooking and the whole business of it. These recipes look delicious. one of my very close quilting friends lost her House and quilt studio yesterday in Santa Rosa. It is just so sad.
I really need to step it up in the kitchen. I am so bored with my cooking and the whole business of it. These recipes look delicious. one of my very close quilting friends lost her House and quilt studio yesterday in Santa Rosa. It is just so sad.
I really need to step it up in the kitchen. I am so bored with my cooking and the whole business of it. These recipes look delicious. one of my very close quilting friends lost her House and quilt studio yesterday in Santa Rosa. It is just so sad.
Fabric and cookbooks…the two things I “collect”. Thanks for the info on this book. I am on my way to purchase!
Fabric and cookbooks…the two things I “collect”. Thanks for the info on this book. I am on my way to purchase!
Fabric and cookbooks…the two things I “collect”. Thanks for the info on this book. I am on my way to purchase!
Been cooking the squashes, pumpkins, and butternut …. must remember to add some tired apples to the next group in the oven yum yum
Been cooking the squashes, pumpkins, and butternut …. must remember to add some tired apples to the next group in the oven yum yum
Been cooking the squashes, pumpkins, and butternut …. must remember to add some tired apples to the next group in the oven yum yum