CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

I am in the middle of a soup frenzy or whatever you want to call it. Soup obsession? Whatever it is, all I want is to eat soup. It's cold outside and I don't like the cold. I feel like I can't ever get warm unless I'm eating soup, wearing fuzzy socks or in a hot bath. So, I'm too busy for the bath and too much to do to strut around in fuzzy socks, so hot soup it is!

I have some Jalepeno's leftover from Thanksgiving when I made Sausage Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers and I knew I was going to use them for soup. I love this soup.
It's simple and easy and delicious!!

PUMPKIN PECAN CRISP

I wanted something "pumpkiny" for our Thanksgiving, but my family is not a pumpkin pie eatin' kind of family. So, I went with a super-simple pumpkin crisp. Or as my husband called it "Pecan Pumpkin' Somethin'"

It is sort of like a pumpkin dump cake, but that doesn't sound very appealing, so I'm calling it a crisp. It was very easy and super delicious. It is one of the things that you could really modify too, which I like. I'm always changing things in recipes. I don't think I ever make anything just like the recipe says.

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. This would be a great treat for any fall gathering. Mmmmmm

CREAMY SPAGHETTI SQUASH AND SWEET POTATO SOUP WITH GARAM MASALA

It's cold outside and soup is on my mind...
Sometimes I buy squash when I am grocery shopping, just because. I don't have a plan for it, but I know I'll find something to make with it because I love it so much.
Thanksgiving is done and it's time to get back on track. I eat healthy soups when I'm really trying to stay on track because it's low in calories and full of veggies, plus it's delicious!!

This is my fall inspired Spaghetti Squash and sweet potato soup.

TRADITIONAL TURKEY STUFFING WITH FRESH HERBS AND CIABATTA BREAD

Stuffing is one of the favorite things on the Thanksgiving table. I take the most time cutting vegetables and herbs for the stuffing than any other dish it seems. This year I decided to use a ciabatta bread mix as well. It was awesome!!

Everyone loved it and there was nothing left!! Very flavorful and moist, just how stuffing should be.

MAKE AHEAD MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE

Calling this a casserole is a bit of a stretch, but it is in a casserole dish...

This year I am really planning ahead and trying to make things in advance so that my Thanksgiving Day cooking doesn't leave me totally exhausted. Sometimes I'm so tired by the time we eat, I'm not even hungry. Not this year...

I've already done the menu planning, all the shopping, recipes are finalized, veggies are prepped and I'm starting to put together things that are either meant to be served cold or are intentionally made ahead to heat up again before dinner. 

This mashed potato casserole is one of those items. And they are delicious!!

CANDIED SWEET POTATOES WITH PECANS

Sweet and saucy made-from-scratch sweet potatoes with a pecan crumble and marshmallow topping. What could be better than that!!

I make a basic whipped sweet potato back every single year and I have done so since my daughter was little, she's almost 20 now. As a rule, I try to avoid things in cans these days and wanted to change this up a bit. I may have to make the others too this year, just in case, but I think she is going to love these, I know I do!  and yes, I realize these have marshmallows. Baby steps people, baby steps. My daughter can only handle so much change at one time!! :-)

FALL SQUASH AND SWEET POTATO SOUP

The flavors of fall just call my name. I've been thinking about a new soup that I wanted to make that involved Garam Masala. Garam Masala is a traditional Indian seasoning blend that is used to make many Indian dishes including curry sauces, which I LOVE! Garam Masala is a spice blend mainly made up of Coriander, Black Pepper, Cumin, Cardamom and Cinnamon.