Fall in love with Fall

Fall... what can I say about this special time of year. Leaves turn from green to reds, oranges, yellow and golds. The wind has a crisp smell to it, the smog of the summer has cleared and for just a minute all of the world's evils and problems just slip away.

This is the time of year when we get out our recipe cards and books and start looking up what will be good to make with all the new autumn produce. We want to nestle in our homes with some warm squash soup and read our books, talk to our children about how the new school year is going and most importantly relaxing after the long and very hot summer months.

Summertime is supposed to be the "fun" season. Filled with long lazy days, hanging out by the pool, fresh lemonade and outdoor excitement. However, it can also be very stressful on parents to keep their kids occupied and if you live in the South, it can get so hot that even a pool can't cool you off. Kids tend to get bored, depressed or even gain weight in the summer months.

Autumn is the antidote to the summertime blues. Kids go off to school, parents are cooled down by the crisp fall breeze and there is a sense of family once again.

And in honor of my very favorite season, I wanted to share with you a couple of autumn recipes. One is for babies six months or older, which I have not done in a while. Yet, fall produce is the best for "first" foods. Think about it... apples, pears, squash... that is what we give our babies first.

I hope that everyone enjoys the change in weather, the change in colors and most importantly their friends and family.

Cheers!

Apple, pear and butternut squash baby food:

• One apple, peeled and large diced
• One pear, peeled and large diced
• One (small) butternut squash, peeled, de-seeded and large diced
• (For older babies 9 months and up) pinch of cinnamon and very small pinch of cloves.

Once you have diced your apples, pears and squash, bring a large pot of water to a simmer. Place your produce in the water, cover and let simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the fruit is soft to the touch. Drain the fruit and then either place back in the pot or in a food processor. If you do not have a food processor the fruit should be soft enough to smash with a good utility fork or "smasher" or even a dinner fork.

If you have a processor, place all the ingredients into the processor till a good baby food consistency is formed.

This combination will yield about two cups of baby food, depending on how large your apple, pear and squash are. Place enough in a container for the week in the refrigerator and the rest can be frozen in 1oz ice cube trays. And will be good for no longer than six months.

This is also considered a puree and can be the base of some soups, sauces and toppings for bigger kids and adults.

Fresh stone ground oatmeal with warm apple and cranberry topping:

• 1 cup of GOOD stone ground oats
• 2 cups of water
• 1 tsp of vanilla
• 1/2 cup of maple brown sugar
• Cinnamon to taste
• 2 apples from your local farmer's market (cheaper and better for this recipe because they tend to sell a lot of baking apples)
• 3 tbsp of butter
• Vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries (or currants)

In one pot bring 2 cups of water to a simmer (close to a boil) then add your oats. Let that go for about 6-9 minutes. You can actually smell when oatmeal is done. So trust your nose!

Peel and dice your apples into the size you feel comfortable with for your children. I do a small dice, because my child is only two. Then melt your butter into the pan. Yes, you could go the extra step and do clarified  butter to get rid of the milk solids, but it is not 100% necessary. Place the apples, cinnamon and vanilla into the sautuse (rounded sautee pan) and let the fruit start to break down. At the last minute that the apples are breaking down, then add your dried cranberries (or currents). Let them rehydrate for a bit, but not completely.

Once your oatmeal has cooked and is piping hot and smells amazing, place into your serving bowl, add a little cream or milk alternative you like (we like coconut, but almond is really good for this recipe too). Then top with the lucious apple and cranberry topping.

Place a beautiful pot of warm coffee on the table for the grown-ups, cranberry-orange juice for the kids and have a lovely breakfast together.

Suggestion: After you are done with breakfast, go for a walk in your local park or neighborhood and have your children find leaves on the ground that have turned. Come home, press the leaves between wax paper and create a cool art project.