Fall is my favorite season.  I love the smell of fall, when the weather is cool and damp.  I love the first signs of fall on leaves on the sentinel trees in my childhood neighborhood, they were always the first indicators that fall was really here as the tips turned yellow, then vibrant orange.  And then there’s the apples, and pumpkins, and cinnamon-spiked everything.

The fall is also the start of school, and while I’m only taking Organic Chemistry this semester, that’s plenty for me (just another small step toward becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist).  Fall also brings back routine.  I’m getting into a routine of cooking on the weekends, so there’s minimal fuss on busy weeknights.  So here’s my list of top 10 recipes to make this fall. 

Cranberry Oat Muffins – Fresh cranberries don’t get the attention they deserve in the fall, but these muffins make them shine.  Little bursts of tart cranberries are surrounded by a slightly spiced oat muffin with hints of orange.

Ginger Cranberry Sauce – I can’t wait to have this on a turkey sandwich.  Mmmmm

Swedish Apple Almond Cake – Lightly spiced with cardamom, this cake is super delicious for tea-time.  Not too sweet, but this cake will definitely satisfy your fall baked good needs.

Roasted Acorn Squash – It’s not fall without various squashes, and this acorn squash is perfect.  Serve it with pork roast, or on top of a salad.

Turkish Inspired Lentil Soup – Lentil soup may sound mundane, but the spices in this soup elevate it to a whole other level.

Cauliflower, Kale, Chickpea Stew – Easy, healthy, and delicious.  Makes great leftovers.  What more do you need?

Orange Chicken – This was a staple of my childhood, and for good reason.  It’s super yummy and comes together so easily.  This is always a crowd-pleaser, so you’d even be able to whip it up on a Friday night after work and impress all your friends.

Paprika and Sumac Braised Chicken with Carrots – This meal is a showstopper.  Moist, flavorful chicken, in a bright citrusy sauce, with sweet tender carrots, it’s perfect for cool weather days.

Turkey Tetrazzini – I’m already getting excited for Thanksgiving.  So if you’re like me, you too are thinking about all the amazing things to do with leftover turkey.  But if you’re not crazy like me, you could always make this with chicken.

Toffee Sea Salt Almond Brownies – Planning a Halloween party?  Need a dessert for a dinner party?  Want to have amazing chocolatey, crunchy, chewy, salty-sweet deliciousness?  I’ve got you covered.

What’s your favorite part about fall?  Do you have a favorite fall recipe?  I’d love to hear about it!