Happy Monday! Has it hit you yet that we're going into the month of October in a few days? Where did the year go? Heck, where did the months of August and September go? It seems like yesterday when I was enjoying the Fourth of July! I hope you had a great weekend doing something fun and perhaps feasting on something delicious. This past weekend was busy in my kitchen and filled with friends. You can read about my culinary adventures I had including:
Wine & Dine: South Africa - A fabulous meal of home cooked South African cuisine paired with some great South African wines. Stay tuned this week to get the recipes of the South African dishes we tasted...
Baking, Baking & More Baking - Several friends, two days and 1 hard working oven. Friends came over to bake bread and sweet treats over the weekend. Stay tuned in the coming weeks when we share our experiences in the kitchen!
Farewell to Summer Dinner - Our close friends, Megan and Matt, out did themselves (as they usually do!) with an amazing meal as a final hoorah to summer. Check back this week for the recipes of their scrumptious dinner and check out the link for a cool tip to butter corn!
So it's officially fall now. The fact that I'm pulling out sweaters and wrapping in blankets on the couch is clearly a sign that summer has already checked out. But I'm coping with the fact that there won't be any more fresh, juicy berries overflowing in my grocery store... or sipping fruity cocktails poolside... or even picnics in the park. I've got a lot of fall things to look forward to. Tailgating fare for the upcoming game days, the smells of all the great things baking up in my oven more often, and making comforting foods special to this time of year. Let's not forget Halloween, Thanksgiving and the December holidays. (I'm still stunned the holidays are only a few weeks ahead!)
One kitchen item I relate to fall is a crock pot or slow cooker. The idea is that you use it to cook food for hours on end without any effort and at the end of the day, you've got something hot and ready waiting for you. I use my slow cooker mainly during the fall months for soups, chilis, stews and even braising roasts. It's time for me to dust mine off, but this week, one lucky reader will get a brand new one to enjoy.
Now keep in mind, that slow cookers are not just for the fall and can certainly be used all year round. You can use it for fondues, warm dips, cakes, etc. I have to remind myself of that and maybe after these cold months I'll keep it handy rather than tucked away in the depths of my cabinets. Maybe I should even send this woman an email and get some tips on how to use my slow cooker more effectively throughout the year!
I don't think slow cookers get enough credit as a great kitchen tool. There are so many advantages to cooking with them especially:
- Saving Money: a Crock-Pot® slow cooker, only uses approximately 75 watts of electricity on LOW and approximately 150 watts on HIGH. It cooks all day for only a few cents!
- Saving Time: just add the ingredients, start the Crock-Pot® slow cooker and go off for the day! You’ll come home hours later to a warm and inviting home cooked meal.
But here's a fun Chicago tip for you as it relates to slow cookers/Crock-Pots:
The Naxon Utilities Corporation of Chicago developed the Naxon Beanery All-Purpose Cooker. Rival Industries bought Naxon in 1970, and reintroduced it under the Crock-Pot name in 1971.
This week, one lucky winner will receive a brand new Rival Crock-Pot on Foodie Freebie Friday!
Model #3060-W
- 6 quart capacity
- Removable round stoneware
- Convenient warm setting
- Dishwasher safe stoneware and lid
- Power indicator light
- Recipes Included
Some guidelines:
- Giveaway is only for those who live in the United States - my apologies to my international readers!
- You must check back on my blog on Friday to see if you've won so you can claim your prize!
- Giveaway is only for those who live in the United States - my apologies to my international readers!
- You must check back on my blog on Friday to see if you've won so you can claim your prize!
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment answering:
- What is your favorite dish or meal you especially like to enjoy during the fall months?
Deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 12 midnight CST.
ONE WINNER will be randomly chosen by Random. Org's Interger Generator based on the number of your comment and will be announced on Friday, October 2, 2009. Good luck!
Chilli!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite falls meals are chili, meatloaf, hearty pastas and soups. I just can't eat these during the summer months. But once fall is here, I am ready for them!!
ReplyDeleteHomemade gumbo!
ReplyDeleteBeef stew with tons of veggies and little red potatoes! Yum!
ReplyDeleteI love comfort foods, like grilled cheese and a thick hearty soup/stew.
ReplyDeleteBeef stew, Yummmmy!
ReplyDeleteCoq au Vin - french comfort food!
ReplyDeletemy favorite fall meal is chili or a roast and potatoes...warm and filling...
ReplyDeleteMy mom makes this pasta dish called Italian Junk. It's like meat sauce with lots and lots of veggies. So good for brisk fall weather!
ReplyDeletemy favorite meal to make during the fall months is chicken and dumplings...yum!
ReplyDeleteGrandpa's recipe--Pork Roast and Dumplings...mmmmm...
ReplyDeletePecan pie screams "fall" to me and I love indulging it during these winter months.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite in the crock pot are chicken tortilla soup and chili - they are basically fall meals for me because I never think about using my crock pot in the summer.
ReplyDeleteI love a good Provencal Daube - a stew of either beef or lamb with carrots, onions, red wine ... over some egg noodles. Mmmmmm...
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fall meals in the crock pot are roast beef and veggies, chili, and chicken escarole soup.
ReplyDeleteI love Beef Stew or nice soups in the fall/winter!!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fall meals in a crock pot are roast beef and veggies, chili, and chicken escarole soup.
ReplyDeleteI love making beef stew in the crockpot. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely chili - Texas style! Spicy enough to make your nose run and served with a slab of buttery cornbread. Can't wait, but we're still a ways from cool weather here.
ReplyDeleteI have a fantastic recipe for an italian pot roast that I make incessantly throughout the fall and winter months...
ReplyDeleteBuffalo Chicken Dip - Perfect in the crockpot and especially for tailgating!
ReplyDeletechili chili chili!
ReplyDeletePot roast!
ReplyDeleteLasagna! I love eating it when the weather is cold!
ReplyDeleteI love green bean casserole in the fall... reminds me of Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteevitawylie at hotmail dot com
Sausage Bean Chowder....slightly spicy and very filling!
ReplyDeleteI love apple stuffed pork chops, hot apple pie with cinnamon sticks, and apple or pumpkin pie. Fall to me is all about apples, pumpkins, cinnamon, and cloves. :)
ReplyDeleteI love all things pumpkin and warm soups!
ReplyDeleteWhite chicken chili. And anything pumpkin.
ReplyDeleteMmm...vegetarian chili (with TVP and tons of veggies) and homemade cinnamon rolls...so good!
ReplyDeleteCrockpot Salsa chicken!!!
ReplyDeleteRenee at umsl.edu
Soups that involve pumpkin, shallots and spice.
ReplyDeleteNothing is better than my Mom's roast with vegetables. The smell of it cooking in the oven alone makes me happy!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
I love one dish meals roasted in the oven for fall. My favorite is baked chicken with carrots and cauliflower, seasoned with coriander and cumin. Delicious!
ReplyDeleteChili with cornbread!
ReplyDeleteTortilla soup. Best flavors of the end of summer for fall weather.
ReplyDeleteGuinness Beef Stew, just made it yesterday!
ReplyDeleteHot and spicy veggie chilli
ReplyDeletepoohsden at gmail dot com
French Onion Soup....in a crock pot of course! Yummy!
ReplyDeleteAny kind of soup, as long as it's hot and comforting.
ReplyDeleteWe like to make roasts - my husband likes the meats, and I love roasted vegetables!
ReplyDeleteA crock-pot would be another great addition to our family - we're adding a baby around Christmas and I know I can use all the cooking help I can get :)
Turkey chili with lots of veggies!
ReplyDeleteHearty soups - although right now, my crockpot is full of chicken cacciatore!
ReplyDeleteSoup, soup, soup! Oh, and the occasional cheesy dip, but mostly for keeping warm purposes.
ReplyDeleteWhite Chicken Chili and Cornbread. YUM!
ReplyDeleteBaked potato soup, chili...ok, just soup in general! :) It's finally cold enough outside to justify some soup!!
ReplyDeleteIn the cool months of pseudo winter here in the deep south - nothing better than a big bowl of gumbo with lots of okra and a side of cornbread. Really warms you up.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to go with everyone else who mentioned chili. White bean, red, beans, no beans, chicken, beef. It's all good.
ReplyDeleteOh how I love crockpots! I try to make something in one at least once a week. My favorite thing to make for the winter is most likely a roast with veggies.
ReplyDeletemac and cheese!
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt - Braised Beef short ribs in red wine!
ReplyDeleteMan oh man do I need a crock pot. My favorite thing to have in the colder weather is chilli and cornbread.
ReplyDeleteI would make chili in this crock pot! Ummmm...
ReplyDeleteChili and cornbread! Waiting for it to get a bit cooler here for it but the ingredients are waiting!
ReplyDeleteSoups and stews! I can't wait to make some chili though.
ReplyDeletewhite trash braising-i love it!
ReplyDeleteVegan Pot roast. I do it in my crock sometimes. Braised Tempeh with potatoes, carrots, celery, onions and gravy. Preferably w/some french bread for sopping up the juices. yum.
ReplyDeleteI love chili in fall. I even tried making some this August since I missed it so much, but it didn't have the same effect as when it is cool outside!
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway!!
I just found you from Foodgawker. I am so glad I did. A great site that I cant wait to read and I have stumbled upon an awesome giveaway. Lucky me!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fall meal is chili with some good cornbread. hmm.
I love winter squash in the fall. Any type prepared any way! (butternut, buttercup, delicata, spaghetti; roasted, stuffed, mixed with rice or pasta)
ReplyDeleteBroccoli cheddar soup, or baked potato soup, or tomato basil soup... along with a nice slice of warm bread! Mmmm...
ReplyDeletePumpkin anything...pie, cookies, dip. You name it!
ReplyDeleteBuffalo chicken dip!!!
ReplyDeleteBeef stew. And pumpkin muffins. Not together.
ReplyDeleteAny kind of soup! I love a good pot of soup that will get me through dinner one night and lunches the rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteI use mine for everything under the sun from crockpot pasta bake to soup.
ReplyDeleteMy fave recipe for the fall season would be soup--any big bowl of steaming soup! Yum!
ReplyDeleteI love chili! Nothing better than a big bowl in Winter
ReplyDeleteI love to make chili or taco soup in the crockpot.
ReplyDeleteI love soup when it starts getting cold out. Chili usually or tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich...yum! Too bad it's still 89 degrees outside
ReplyDeleteMy best friend has one of these and I've been coveting one for a long time. Especially because I work long days and I think it would make my life so much easier!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fall foods are anything involving pumpkin and apple! I also love chili on sundays.....football!!
ReplyDeleteI love pot roast in the crock and of course beanless chili!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite cold weather meals are Irish Stew, Cassoulet and beet soup. It would be great to try them in a slow cooker.
ReplyDeleteSoups and stews! I make them all winter, and just experiment. Fun!
ReplyDeleteI love chili or any type of soup. MMMM
ReplyDeleteI love potato soup in the fall, especially if its homemade! From the can is not quite as good.
ReplyDeleteAnything squash. I do a 3 squash soup and it's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteTurkey with all the trimmings
ReplyDeleteI love when the weather finally starts to get cooler in autumn, and I begin to bake and cook more often than in summer. Some of my favorites are apple pie, apple crisp, pumpkin pie, chili, pot roast, and potato soup.
ReplyDeleteChicken Wild Rice soup!!!!! it is a must for the fall
ReplyDeleteBlack Bean Pumpkin Soup.
ReplyDeleteIf we are thinking sweet...then really anything with pumpkin (especially pumpkin dump cake!). If savory, then probably a good roast with mashed potatoes and gravy!
ReplyDeleteFavorite fall dish is baked ziti and soups.
ReplyDeleteOMG! I love crockpots! Makes a great meal and I don't have to slave over the stove.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fall recipes are corn chowder, chili, pot roast, baked potatoes, butternut squash soup. I could go on. I love, love, love fall foods.
Crockpot lasagna is my favorite to make in my slow cooker
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted a crock pot! My favorite meals in the fall are hot soups with warm crusty breads and desserts with baked apples...mmmmm I love fall cooking!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fall meal is one-dish beef stew!!! Yum!
ReplyDeleteChili and cornbread. Hello, October!
ReplyDeleteI love pulled pork sandwiches while watching some college football!
ReplyDeleteI love to make Italian beef & short rib chili. I can't believe October is here, how the time flies.
ReplyDeleteChicken Dumpling Soup, or chicken chili and twice baked potatoes, or beef stew, or crockpot chicken, or or or... I love Fall cooking!
ReplyDeleteGumbo Gumbo and more gumbo!!!!
ReplyDeleteHomemade soups
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to make chili once the weather turns cooler!
ReplyDeleteHomemade chicken noodle soup is a fall favorite!
ReplyDelete