Fall is one of my favorite times of year. Here’s to soups and stews and savory, soul-warming food.
#1 Khao Soi Curry
Full of warm, savory spices, this unique Northern Thai Curry is all kinds of cozy.
I first had this version of curry in Bend, Oregon of all places. I was on a business trip, and one of my coworkers recommended a local Thai place for dinner. I was a bit skeptical, but as it turns out, Bend, OR has all kinds of great food. I’d never had anything quite like this before, so when I got home I immediately set my sites on figuring out how to make this wonderful dish. It looks complicated, but once you realize that, basically, it’s soup with a lot of unusual ingredients, it’s really isn’t all that hard at all.
#2 Flatbread Pizzas
This is a great game-day game-changer.
Depending on how many different types of pizza you want to make (and whether you make your own dough), this can either be a relatively quick endeavor or part of an afternoon. I like to make several types of pizza, baking them one or two at a time during a football game or Sunday afternoon get together.
Feeding a crowd? Make the whole thing easier on yourself and use par-baked flatbreads which are widely available at most grocery stores.
Make a pizza, eat a little, have an adult beverage, make another pizza, eat a little… You get the idea.
#3 Grilled Sriracha Hot Wings
Another, game-day game changer, these wings are a riff on classic buffalo wings – but really, it’s about the technique.
These wings can be made in the oven as easily as on the grill. Can’t find Sririacha? Try Sambal Olek, or any of your favorite hot sauces. The thing about this recipe is that it’s more about the technique; once you’ve got that figured out the sky is the limit!
#4 Spatchcocked Chicken with Rosemary, Maple-Butter and Thyme
This chicken is so good, you’ll want it all year long.
The technique of spatchcocking (removing the backbone from the chicken so it cooks evenly makes a perfect roast chicken every time. Combined with the autumnal flavors of Maple, Rosemary and Thyme you’ll have yourself a roast chicken that will satisfy just about everybody – even people who aren’t big fans of roast chicken.
#5 Chunky Beef Chili
Football Games, Flannel Shirts – and of course, Beef Chili
This can be made stove-top, in the oven, or in a slow-cooker. I find the slow-cooker version particularly appealing because you can throw it together in the morning and forget about dinner until dinner time. Also, it makes your house smell awesome.
#6 New Mexico Style Chicken Chili Verde
This is my most often requested dish on cool evenings or rainy days
This was the first thing I ever learned to cook and have been refining it for years and years. It’s still a family favorite. Use authentic Hatch Chiles from Hatch, NM for best results.
#7 Traditional Japanese Ramen
This is not what you had in college.
Okay, the bad news first: This takes two days to make. The good news is that it’s probably only a couple hours on Day 1, and a couple hours on Day 2. Mostly, you just have to plan ahead and commit – but it’s actually not that much work.
#8 Chowder
There are a lot of ways to make chowder
Some people like it thick (use a roux); other people like it a bit lighter. Some people add tomatoes making a red chowder (Manhattan); some people like a creamy chowder (Boston) or even a clear one (Rhode Island). You can make Clam Chowder, Fish Chowder, Salmon Chowder, Corn Chowder, Chicken Chowder… Whatever type you choose, use one of the recipes below or just follow this blueprint to exercise your creative culinary genius.
#9 Pasta with Sage, Parmesan & Brown Butter
Four ingredients, 15 minutes – that’s it.
This does require a bit of quick stove work, but it’s both simple and delicious. Read on to find out more – or even better, make it for dinner.
#10 New England Yankee Pot Roast
All hail the pot roast, king of slow-cooker dinners
This is one of those things that came from when people cooked with what was available to them. A tablespoon or two of butter at the very end elevates this dish from decadent to elegant.
The Intrepid Gourmet 