Cool Front Week Continues

It's warmed up a bit after the cool front... (Boo! More to come this weekend, I hope.) But that hasn't stopped me from churning out dinners that warm the soul and could possibly induce a hibernation spell.

If your belly feels empty, whip these up tonight!
Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast with Gremolata
Mom's Chicken and Dumplings OR Chicken and Rosemary Dumplings

Chicken and Rosemary Dumplings 
Prepare Mom's Chicken and Dumplings as directed, except for dumplings.
For Rosemary Dumplings:
1 1/4 c flour
1 tbsp chopped rosemary
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp kosher salt
2 tbsp butter
1/2 c milk
1 egg


Combine dry ingredients. Using pastry cutter or two knives cut butter into flour mixture until pea-sized pieces. Add egg and slowly add milk, while mixing until slightly sticky dough forms. Bring broth to a low boil. Drop tablespoons of dough into broth, one at a time. Cover and cook 10-15 mins or until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.

Emeril's Chili- Our Adopted House Recipe

Wow, today was amazing! 
Windows open, playing outside, and a big bowl of chili to top it off.
Emeril's Chili recipe has been our go-to guide for thick, hearty yumminess. Even the little guy approves!  The two-year old, that is, I'm sure Peabody will have his payback in the form of major heartburn! But, I'll take it... this chili is that good.
But you don't have to take my word for it...

Event: 
Chili Chilly Night
Menu: 
Emeril's Chili with Colby Jack, Onions, Jalapenos and Sour Cream
With Tortilla Chips (or  Crackers)

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups chopped onions
• Salt
• Cayenne
• 2 pounds stew meat
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Crushed red pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 3 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 cups beef stock
• 1 cup canned dark red kidney beans
• 2 tablespoons masa flour
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1 bag Tortilla Chips
• 1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 6 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 small jar of jalapenos

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions and saute for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the vegetables start to wilt. Season with salt and cayenne. Stir in the stew meat, chili powder, cumin, crushed red pepper, and oregano. Brown the meat for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, beef stock, and beans. Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer the liquid, uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, or until the beef is tender. Skim off the fat occasionally. Mix the masa and water together. Slowly stir in the masa slurry and continue to cook for 30 minutes. Reseason with salt and cayenne. Place a handful of the chips in each shallow bowl. Spoon the chili over the chips. Garnish with the grated cheese, sour cream and jalapenos. And a side of crispy multigrain crackers- or tortilla chips.

Summer/Fall Smash-up: Summer Squash and Corn Chowder

Using end of summer produce to create a tummy-warming chowder is a great way to quell those "I'm ready for Fall but it's still ninety-plus degrees outside" cravings. So crank down the AC, pull out a scarf and celebrate soup! Cooking Light does it right with a veggie based creation with notes of smoky bacon and melty cheddar.
I recommend buying high quality, applewood-smoked bacon. It's intense flavor will shine in the background of this chowder.

Event: I WANT FALL! (But it's so darn hot...)
Menu: 
Summer Squash and Corn Chowder
Tomato Bruschetta


For the Soup:

Ingredients

• 2  slices applewood-smoked bacon
• 3/4  cup  sliced green onions, divided
• 1/4  cup  chopped celery
• 1  pound  yellow summer squash, chopped
• 1  pound  frozen white and yellow baby corn kernels, thawed and divided
• 2 1/4  cups  1% low-fat milk, divided
• 1  teaspoon  chopped fresh thyme
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  cup  (1 ounce) shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese

Preparation

1. Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving 2 teaspoons drippings in pan. Crumble bacon, and set aside. Add 1/2 cup onions, celery, and squash to drippings in pan; sauté 8 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

2. Reserve 1 cup corn; set aside. Place the remaining corn and 1 cup milk in a blender; process until smooth. Add remaining 1 1/4 cups milk, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to blender; process just until combined. Add pureed mixture and reserved 1 cup corn to pan. Reduce heat to medium; cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly. Stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt. Ladle about 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 4 bowls; top each serving with about 1 tablespoon bacon, 1 tablespoon remaining onions, and 1 tablespoon cheese.

For the tomato bruschetta:

PH oven to 425 degrees. Arrange 12 thin baguette slices on a baking sheet; bake at 425 for 6 mins or until toasted. Rub toasts with cut sides of halved garlic clove. Combine 1/2 c halved cherry or grape tomatoes, 2 tsp chopped fresh basil, 1 1/2 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp balsamic vinegar and 1/8 tsp kosher salt; top toasts with tomato mixture. 

YUM!

Autumn Door Decor

This season's door decor is made from items purchased at the Dollar Tree. Add some hot glue, and you've got a striking display that welcomes cooler weather and falling leaves. Altogether, it cost about twelve dollars. Change the colors to fit your decor... or other seasons!
Fall Door Decor
~7 pkgs broom stick grass Stems (2 purple, 2 magenta, 2 orange, and 1 red)
~1 pkg gold spiral twigs- only used 1/2 the bunch, so leftovers can be used for other decor
~1 pkg gold berries (two per pkg)
~3 pieces painted fruit ornaments, string loops cut off, (I used 1 pear and 2 pomegranates)
~8 inches gold or copper ribbon
Arrange broom stick grass in an crisscross pattern. Hot glue in place and tie with ribbon. Hot glue gold berry stems in an X on top of ribbon. Arrange fruit pieces just under berries and hot glue to ribbon. Stick gold stems inside ribbon, in front of broom stick grass. 
Hang on a nail using ribbon on door, wall, mailbox... anywhere that needs a little sparkle!