Seasonal Sundays: Casual Fall Suppers

Dust off that big ol' Dutch oven, people, because this week's "Seasonal Seven" recipe collection features old favorites destined to make our fall mealtimes simpler, cozier, easier and dare I say, way more satisfying than, true confession, those frozen pizzas I've been throwing in the oven of late. I hope you'll find one or two destined as "keepers" in your own recipe repertoire ...

~ Skip Straight to the Good Stuff ~

~ PIN This ~

Welcome to Seasonal Sundays ...

Seasonal Sundays is 100% written by a real, live human, no blah-blah copycat ChatGPT AI plagiarism, thank you very much. Any awkward phrase, unclear meaning, misspelled word, mistaken fact, bad punctuation or overwrought alliteration is the clean, proud product of my own inadequacy as a wordsmith and oversights as an eagle-eyed editor. But when that human says she's grateful that you're here, reading, well, please know, she really truly 100% means it.

In Praise Of ...

• ... the time change next weekend! remember we "fall back" which means an "extra hour" of sleep on Saturday night ... and days of adjustment afterward, I first noticed this as a young single, riding the bus to/from work and especially the few days after the time change, see White Chicken Chili


• ... this long, warm sunny fall, our leaves are reaching for their peak and here's hoping the rain and wind hold off for another week, I'd love our back yard to be "just golden" for a big family party a week from today


• ... the end of "horror movie" season, when alllllll the random movies are just too too scary


• ... The Diplomat, the BBC series part thriller, part mystery, part love story to Barcelona ... not to be confused with The Diplomat, the Keri Russell series whose second season starts this week on Netflix amid lots of buzz

Democracy Matters

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO "DO SOMETHING" Jessica Craven's Chop Wood, Carry Water newsletter lists phone bank and canvas opportunities, just pick a recent newsletter and scroll down to the bottom. Is an hour a day too much? Make it a half hour. But DO SOMETHING.

If not time, then money. If not money, then words. Share, share, share, in person and online.

But by all means, VOTE.

The Words of Wise Women

• My home is in Missouri, a deep, dark red state with large pockets of blue in Kansas City on the western border, in St. Louis on the eastern border, and in Columbia, home of the University of Missouri, the state's land-grant state school. But St. Louis is also a very Catholic city, some years ago, I saw a stat saying that St. Louis had more kids in Catholic schools per capita than any other city. So it comes as no surprise, perhaps, that the yard signs saying "Vote No on 3" outnumber the "Vote Yes on 3". (Amendment 3 is the citizen-led initiative to place abortion and reproductive healthcare on the ballot in Missouri this November.) And don't even get me started on the outright disinformation signs that claim a vote against Amendment 3 is a vote against sex trafficking. WTF?
• What people SO don't get is that reproductive healthcare affects e v e r y o n e.
• Listen to Michelle Obama, the most effective eight minutes ever on why abortion bans effect EVERY single woman and EVERY single man, totally worth a long listen.

Made Me Think ...

• There are lots of F-bombs hitting Trump in the presidential race, 13 former Trump administration officials sign open letter backing up John Kelly's criticism of Trump. Kelly is the retired Marine Corps General who first served as Trump's Secretary of Homeland Security and then Trump's longest-lasting chief of staff, a position more powerful than the vice president. This week, he "came out" of his never-knock-the-chain-of-command closet and told the New York Times that Trump fits the definition of Fascism.
• But Trump, in his classic way of projection, calls Harris a socialist, a communist, a fascist. That's right. The authoritarian who admires Adolf Hitler and wants his own generals to "follow orders" like Nazi generals did before and during World War II, he the one calling the woman running on "freedom" a fascist. Unbelievable.
• But, really, what is fascism? Have we lost track of what it really means? I had, until a poster outside a tiny random restaurant in California knocked me over, way back in 2016. (How do I know? I took a picture, it's still on my phone.)
• But if you're not sure, or even if you are, read this from yesterday's newsletter historian Heather Cox Richardson and you'll see, every single MAGA move and Trump ideology is fascist in nature.
• READ Heather Cox Richardson, October 26, 2024
• TAKEAWAY "Fascism ... is government by the few and for the few. The objective is seizure and control of the economic, political, social, and cultural life of the state. ... The people run democratic governments, but fascist governments run the people."
• So seriously, read this piece. Even if you "know," it'll horrify you, what lies ahead should Democrats not prevail, up and down the ballot.

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THE SEASONAL SEVEN: Casual Fall Suppers

For this week's recipes, I aimed for recipes with fall flavors and combinations that ...

• ... are simple enough for weeknights, special enough for weekends
• ... are mostly cooked in a single skillet, served tableside
• ... are not too rich, not too spicy, not too time-consuming

• THE RECIPE Lemon-Honey Chicken Skillet A one-pot meal with a medley of spices and vegetables. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Chicken Cider Stew Another Quick Supper, one skillet perfect for fall. (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE Chicken with Apple & Creamy Cider Gravy Another one-skillet dinner, chicken thighs in a mahogany-colored sauce. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Moroccan Chicken A one-pot stew simmered with eggplant and tomato perfumed with Moroccan spices. (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE Skillet Burgers with Tomato Gravy Burgers cooked right in the skillet with my "homemade marinara". (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Chicken Cacciatore The classic Italian stew, chicken slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce. (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE Thick Chops with Sauerkraut & Apples A Quick Supper, moist chops in apple-chunky sauerkraut. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Ribs & Sauerkraut for Slow Cooker or Dutch Oven Easy supper for home or camping.

• THE RECIPE Sausage & Cabbage Skillet Rustic & homey.
• ANOTHER TAKE Italian Sausage with Grapes & Greens A Quick Supper, an unusual combination of familiar ingredients.

• THE RECIPE Cauliflower Risotto Easier, more delicious than you think.
• ANOTHER TAKE Farro Risotto with Butternut Squash Four fall flavors: nutty Italian farro, sweet butternut squash, umami mushrooms and a touch of sage.

• THE RECIPE Squash & Carrot Stew Rich with world spices.
• ANOTHER TAKE Sweet Potato Curry with Red Lentils, Roasted Peppers & Spinach Stovetop or slow cooker vegan supper or side, spiked with a touch of heat.

What's Brand-Spankin' New?!

Wondering about a recipe from the last while? Check Recent Recipes from Kitchen Parade and Recent Vegetable Recipes from A Veggie Venture.

• THE RECIPE Pumpkin-Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies The familiar favorite with an autumn twist and twirl. (PIN This)

October: Reader Favorites

• THE RECIPE Microwave Green Chili Cheese Grits Two quick 'n' easy secrets for creamy grits. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Slow Cooker Sweet Potato (or Pumpkin or Butternut Squash) Grits My healthy substitute for mac 'n' cheese. (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE Broccoli Potato Cheddar Soup Substantial enough for supper, light enough for lunch. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Quick Cauliflower Soup or Quick Broccoli Soup Healthful veggie soups on the table in minutes.

Late October: Trending

• SAFETY TIPS How to Safely Purée Soups & Other Hot Liquids in a Blender Preventing big messes and bad burns. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER USEFUL IDEA How to Freeze Stock in Canning Jars Thrifty practice for green kitchens. (PIN This)

• VEGETABLES 101 What Is Jicama? Rough & ugly on the outside, fresh and crisp on the inside. (PIN This)
• VEGETABLES 101 (102?!) What Is a Tomatillo?

October: Recipes Lookin' for a Little Love

• THE RECIPE Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate chip cookies for grown-ups. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies My husband says these taste "exactly" like his mother's chocolate chip cookies.

• THE RECIPE Healthy Creamed Spinach Generous with spinach, low in fat, still absolutely delicious.
• ANOTHER TAKE Creamy Spinach with Artichokes Spinach-Artichoke Dip meets steakhouse creamed spinach.

The Kitchen Parade Almanac: Looking Ahead ...

• October 31st - Halloween
• October 31st - November 1st - Diwali (Festival of Lights)
• November 1st & 2nd - Days of the Dead (All Saints)
• November 2nd - 3rd - "Fall Backward" Time Change (an extra hour! nice! but how many will show up late for our big fall party on the 3rd? we'll see!)
• November 5th - Election Day (Check Your State)
• November 10th - Marine Corps Birthday ()An Honored Tradition)
• November 11th - Veteran's Day
• November 28th (dang, so late this year) - American Thanksgiving
• December 1st - Alanna's Unofficial First Day of Winter

Looking Back ...

THIS WEEK, YEARS PAST
• 2019 Halloween Week (Week 44)
• 2020 Pumpkin Heaven (Week 44)
• 2022 Pumpkin Heaven (Week 44) (ha! a rare duplicate and probably the reason why I started to keep track of the weekly subjects)
• 2023 November Bucket List (Week 44) (PIN This)

RECENT WEEKS
• Seasonal Sundays: Fall Recipes for Cauliflower (Week 43) (PIN This)
• Pumpkin Season (Week 40) (PIN This)
• Fall Baking (Week 39) (PIN This)
• Seasonal Sundays' Five-Year Anniversary: My Signature Recipes (Week 38) (PIN This)
• Fall Meal Prep (Week 37) (PIN This)
• Late-Summer Entertaining (Week 36) (PIN This)
• Recipes That Inspire JOY (Week 35) (PIN This)

Soups & Salads Especially for October

• OCTOBER's COLLECTION Seasonal Soup & Salad Recipes for October It's finally beginning to taste like fall. (PIN This)


• BUT DON'T MISS Peperonata with Potatoes The classic Italian side dish, now with potatoes. (PIN This)
• AND THIS Whole-Grain Salad with Beets, Beans & Corn Grains + Vegetables = Salad Heaven.
• AND THIS TOO “Soul Food” Sweet Potato Soup with Chicken, Kale & Coconut Milk Starts with an intriguing sweet potato broth.

Good to Know!

• NEVER NEED A RECIPE AGAIN How to Roast Vegetables 22 Tips & a Master Recipe
• ANOTHER TAKE How to Eat More Vegetables

Silly (But Fun?!) Food Holidays

• October 27th — National Potato Day (potato recipes)
• October 28th — National Chocolate Day (chocolate recipes)
• October 29th — National Oatmeal Day (Creamy Oatmeal)
• October 30th — Pumpkin Bread Day (Autumn Pumpkin Bread)
• November 1st — National Cinnamon Day (Apple Cake with Warm Cinnamon-Butter Sauce)
• November 2nd — National Deviled Egg Day (Estonian Deviled Eggs)

A Quick Peek Into a Real-Life Kitchen

Just so you know, everything's not all pretty pictures around here, in the background is a pile of dirty dishes. And just like many (all?) of us, come five o'clock, I too draw a blank about what to make for supper, despite so many recipes I so dearly love. Here's a quick peek from this week.

• THIS WEEK It must be finally fall?! As if by command, my husband and I both switched to morning oatmeal this week, both on the same day and without coordination. It's like "going home" — in part because oatmeal with melty peanut butter was my breakfast Every.Single.Day for so many years. Lately, I've been adding a little milk to the cooking liquid. So extra good!
• THE RECIPE Microwave Creamy Oatmeal with Peanut Butter My morning ritual ... nearly every single day.

Just Updated!

• THE RECIPE Easy-Easy Triscuit with Cheddar & Basil A quick last-minute appetizer, such a surprise! (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Homemade Pub Cheese Cheddar + beer + horseradish = casual bar food at home. (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE Mulled Apple Cider Fruit and spices turn supermarket apple cider into something special and irresistible. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Glögi (Hot Red Mulled Wine) Scandinavian-style hot red wine 'mulled' with spices, fruit and for good luck, an almond. (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE Mini Pumpkin Pies Baked in mini Mason jars and ramekins, all filling, no crusts! (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars So pretty on a plate!

Something to Read

Is anyone else hungry for distraction? The last thing I want to read about right now, as I'm falling asleep, is American politics. This one fits the bill!

• THE BOOK The Maid (affiliate link) by Nita Prose, this is a light but fun read, purportedly a "mystery" but only in the line of The No1 Ladies Home Detective Agency, interesting characters (especially the main character who's apparently on the spectrum), nothing too scary or gruesome. A nice distraction from election anxiety!


• NO TIME TO READ? How I Read 4X More This Year Than Last What I gave up, how I read so much, what I read.

Don't Be a Stranger ...

I'd love to hear from you. Comment, send me a quick e-mail (my current address is in the FAQs), dot-dash in Morse code, build a fire for smoke signals, launch a message in a bottle, send a Christmas letter, get the dog to yip, toss me a note wrapped in a rubberband, write a message in the sky, scratch a note in the sand, listen to a seashell, tuck a question into a plastic Easter egg, whatever.

• Any advice for Seasonal Sundays?
• Just one thing that would make it more useful for you?
• Anything else? Chime in, chat away.

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Kitchen Parade is written by second-generation food columnist Alanna Kellogg and features fresh, seasonal dishes for every-day healthful eating and occasional indulgences. Quick Suppers are Kitchen Parade favorites and feature recipes easy on the budget, the clock, the waistline and the dishwasher. Do you have a favorite recipe that other Kitchen Parade readers might like? Just send me a quick e-mail, you'll find my current address in the FAQs. How to print a Kitchen Parade recipe. Never miss a recipe! If you like this recipe, sign up for a free e-mail subscription. If you like Kitchen Parade, you're sure to like my food blog about vegetable recipes, too, A Veggie Venture. When you make my recipes, I'd love to know your results! Just leave a comment below or better still, on the specific recipe's page.

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