Awh if you could only smell my kitchen as these little babies were baking! It’s now feeling (and smelling) like fall around here, finally! When I want to make my own air freshener, these come first to mind, not to mention they taste out of this world! I got this recipe from Isaac’s aunt and have been making them ever since! They are so good, soft and chewy with the creaminess of the powdered sugar frosting, it’s a match made in heaven!

Molasses Cookies

• 1 1/8 cup oil
• 3/8 cup molasses
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 t ground cloves
• 3/4 t ginger
• 1 1/2 t cinnamon
• 3/4 t salt
• 3 t baking soda
• 3 cups unbleached all purpose flour

Mix the oil, molasses, eggs and brown sugar together until well combined. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Bake at 375 for 5-8 minutes (enjoy the wonderful aroma as they bake), cookies should be soft and chewy. Cool on rack.

Make frosting by combining powdered sugar with a little water until desired contistancy, I prefer a little thicker frosting. Frost cookies with the back of a spoon. Enjoy these!

Images: sammyw

I am in love with the ease and taste of fresh green beans – they are so simple! I found this recipe in a Barefoot Contessa cookbook I have and find myself making it over and over. Isaac just loves these too, it’s his side dish of choice…

Green Beans with Shallots

• 1 pound green beans, ends removed
• Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon good olive oil
• 3 large shallots, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Blanch the beans in a large pot of boiling salted water for about 5 minutes, until slightly tender; drain immediately and put beans in a bowl of ice water. (to stop cooking process)

Heat the oil in a pan and saute the shallots on medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Drain the string beans and add to the shallots with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper, tossing well. Heat only until the beans are hot.

That’s it, you’ll love them, so much so it may replace the predictable green bean casserole at this years Thanksgiving table, I know that’s what happened to me last year…

Images: sammyw

As you all know my recent readings and findings has really inspired my hubby and I to ‘cut the crap’ sort of speak in regards to our eating. We’ve been learning so much about the meat industry; how our meat is raised and processed. We were so awed that we’ve begun to cut own our meat and fish intake and instead replace it with more fruits, veggies, bean, legumes and whole grains. Although when we do eat meat and fish we want to make sure it’s a quality product, ensuring we get all the vitamins and nutrients we were intended to get from a steak, salmon, chicken, etc. (More to this to come later…)

So in my attempt to find filling wholesome meals I stumbled upon this one and so glad I did… this was just the thing I was looking for. A hearty stew with the protein from the chickpeas… very tasty…

Chickpea and Spinach Stew

• I can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 small jalapeno, minced
• 1 medium potato, peeled and cubed
• 3 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried
• 1 T ground cumin
• 1 T ground coriander
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup diced red onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup water
• salt and pepper
• Parmesan cheese for garnish

In a medium pot cook red onion, jalapeno, garlic and spices in the olive oil until tender. Add can of tomatoes, cubed potato, water and can of chickpeas. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Last add the fresh spinach and simmer just until wilted about 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and grate fresh Parmesan on top.

*perfect fall dinner*

Images: sammyw

I found some divine mozzarella sausage at the store the other day & knew I had to do something different with it. It has fresh mozzarella tucked inside, and oozed as we took our first bite! This was a super quick easy dinner.

The star of the show…

Grilled pepper & sausage toasted sandwich

• Mozzarella sausage, precooked (2 links)
• 1/2 red pepper, sliced
• 1/2 green pepper, sliced
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 2 small baguettes
• extra virgin olive oil

Begin by sauteing peppers & onions until tender. Add sausage and cook until heated through. Cut, butter & toast baguettes. Pile the peppers, onions & sausage on top on toasty bread & enjoy!

Images: sammyw

My hubby has a thing for cream cheese, well in the form of cheesecakes that is. I know this isn’t a cheesecake, but when I saw that this yummy bread had a cream cheese filling, I knew I had to make it for him. It totally screams fall with the pumpkin flavor, the maple syrup, the cinnamon, nutmeg, it’s now a fall favorite in our home.

Get the yummy recipe here

Images: sammyw

BLT’s are a yummy warm sandwich I make every once in a while for dinner, it’s a great go to quick dinner, easy clean up and super yummy. But when we have BLT Plus’ at our home we have the normal, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, plus avocado! Something about the warm salty bacon, the cool tomato, the crunch of the lettuce combined with the creaminess of the avocado makes for a wonderful explosion in the mouth!

BLT Plus

• bacon
• lettuce, washed
• whole wheat bread, toasted
• tomato, sliced
• avocado, sliced
• mayonnaise

Cook bacon and drain excess grease on paper towel. Meanwhile toast bread and spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on bread. Now for the fun part, build your sandwich and serve.

Images: sammyw

This is a favorite in our house:

• 2 small potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 T butter
• 3 T diced onion
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1 T flour
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Preheat oven 400 degrees. Butter small casserole dish.

Layer potatoes in dish, sprinkling each layer with salt and pepper. In a saucepan melt butter, cook onion & garlic until fragrant. Stir in flour and cook to get rid of rawness (a minute or two). Pour in milk and continue to heat until mixture thickens. Stir in your favorite cheese (I like colby jack), leaving a couple tablespoons for the top of the dish. Pour cheese mixture over potatoes and bake for 30 minutes until brown and bubbly. *Enjoy*

Images: sammyw