Hello everyone! It’s that time of year again…pumpkins, hot apple cider, hayrides, and (maybe) some cooler weather! Autumn happens to be my favorite season, and one where I can make a lot of my favorite meals. Here I have listed four of our familys’ go to meals, along with recipes for you to try!

Hearty Fall Recipes #1

Chicken and dumplings

This is a staple in our home! I especially like this one because it heats up well for leftovers (think lunch) the next day. I typically make mine using the crock pot, this is totally optional.

Ingredients:

I normally use 3-4 decent size chicken breasts to feed our family of five, with leftovers, however, that number is up to you, depending on how many people you are feeding.

*chicken stock

I prefer to use my own when I have some ready made, but if not, I like to use the organic, low sodium variety.

*cream of chicken soup

Again, depending on the number of people you are feeding. I use about 2 or 3 cans.

*Milk

*Flour

*Butter

To begin:

Place chicken breasts in crock pot, cover with chicken stock. Add cream of chicken soup, and about a cup of milk. I usually put in about a tablespoon of butter at this point. Set crock pot to low temp setting and I normally cook this all day. I don’t like to add the dumplings until about an hour before we are ready to eat, otherwise I feel that they are overcooked.

To make the dumplings:

Mix flour (around 1-2 cups) and milk together, scoop out and add to crock pot about an hour before you are ready to eat. A melon baller can be used if you are concerned about your dumpling shape. Yum!

Hearty Fall Recipes #2

Chili

Another cold weather favorite in our house! Chili is also a crock pot recipe, which works well on busy nights. As with most recipes, the degree of spiciness is totally up to you!

Ingredients

* 1 lb of meat of your choice ( I typically use ground beef, turkey or venison)

*2-3 cans tomato sauce, again depending on the number of people you are feeding.

*chili powder

*garlic powder

*onion powder

*pepper

*1 can dark red kidney beans

I like to add the meat to the crock pot first and season it, then add the tomato sauce and kidney beans. Again, set to low and let cook all day. If you are uncomfortable leaving a crock pot on all day, this can be done on the stove top, but I like to let mine simmer, I feel it has a better flavor.  I normally serve this with a side of cornbread or corn muffins.

Hearty Fall Recipes #3

Beef Stew

What better way to warm up than with a dish like this?

Ingredients:

* 1 lb stew meat

*2 cups chopped carrots

*3-4 good sized potatoes

*2 stalks celery

*1 onion

*beef stock ( about 2 cups, enough to cover)

*flour

This is really similar to cooking a roast in the crockpot! Add the meat, veggies, ( potatoes should be cut into small pieces, but no need to cook them) and cover with the beef stock. Add flour and mix everything together. The flour will thicken everything up, so add more if you feel it is too watery. I serve this with rolls on the side, or sometimes over mashed potatoes.

Hearty Fall Recipes #4

Chicken Noodle Soup

This is a classic! I like to make a big batch so that we have plenty in the freezer, in case of sickness. No need to buy canned, this is so simple!

Ingredients:

*2 chicken breasts

*2 cups chopped carrots

*2 stalks celery

*pepper

*chicken stock

*noodles ( some people have a noodle preference, I do not.)

Add chicken, veggies, seasonings and cover with chicken stock. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

I really hope this article has simplified a few meals for you! My goal is to make cooking as easy and delicious as possible!

Jessi Doherty has been happily married to Patrick for 5 years.  She is the blessed mama of 3 children as well.  Jessi is stay at home mama as well as a birth, bereavement, and postpartum doula.  She is continuously learning and growing in her faith.