It's no secret that we have a soft spot for the fall...we love it almost as much as Christmas! There's just something about turning away from the grill & garden and cooking up something tasty in the oven or slow cooker...something that'll warm our families from head to toe.
While it may not be chilly enough for a sweater just yet, we know those crunchy-leaf, nip-in-the-air days are not far away. Let's celebrate a little early with this week's Cookbook of the Week...
Inspired by all of our favorite fall gatherings,
you'll start looking forward to the season too
when you turn to the table of contents!
Click to view larger.
A Cozy Country Brunch and Seasonal Sweets are pretty easy
to figure out, but what about the rest of the chapters?
In Hometown Homecoming, you'll find appetizers, drinks, dips and spreads perfect for gameday celebrations.
Indian Summer Picnic has some of our most flavorful sandwiches and soups & stews that you can take along in a thermos!
Sides and salads are the stars of the show in Fireside Fun...all the best from the garden, served warm or cold!
In Bountiful Harvest, you'll find recipes for canning & preserving the best of summer...one of our favorite ways to enjoy fall!
Hosting Thanksgiving this year? We Gather Together has recipes for the whole feast, whether you're doing all the cooking or just taking a dish to share.
At the beginning of each of these chapters, you'll find a page
of inspiring ideas like these...click to view larger.
From the Fireside Fun chapter, here's a recipe we hope you'll enjoy all season long.
Sweet Potato Fruit & Nut Loaf
Shared by Jo Ann Valentine of Oviedo, Florida, it has all the flavors of the season, plus some added sweetness from the fruit. Jo Ann recommends trying the batter to make yummy tea muffins too.
1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1-1/4 c. sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. milk
1/2 c. oil
1-1/4 c. canned sweet potatoes, drained and mashed
1/2 c. maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/4 c. golden raisins
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, sugar, salt and spices in a medium bowl; blend in eggs, milk and oil. Stir in remaining ingredients; pour into a greased and floured 9"x5" loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Makes one loaf.
Bonus Tip: For the tenderest muffins and loaves, don’t overmix…just stir the batter until moistened. A few lumps won’t matter, right?
Stay tuned for lots more goodies from Autumn in the Country this week and, when you're ready to add it to your collection, just click the button below.
