Fall is in the Air

Fall is in the air.  When I wake up in the morning it’s still dark, and the air is getting cooler. There have been days when I turn off my central air, and open my windows and enjoy the cool breeze through my house.  I know that many people say they like fall best, but of all of those people, I think I am/should be the president of the Fall Fan Club!  I am already dreaming of butternut squash bisque, and short ribs cooked for hours—maybe this year in my slow cooker.  I am dreaming of teaching  pie classes, and putting an extra blanket back on my bed.

As much as I love summer food like peaches and watermelon, corn and tomatoes, I am willing to bid them farewell in exchange for the relief from oppressive humidity and sticky skin.  I know my energy will be renewed, and even though it has been about one hundred years since I started school in September, I still get that excited, new shoes feeling as I turn over the August page of my calendar.

Soup is one of my favorite things to cook, and quite honestly I consider myself a bit of a soup savant.  As the weather cools I will delve into soups of all sorts.  Soup nourishes and comforts, warms and sustains us.  It is basic and primal and as many people get ready for football season, I am gearing up for soup season!  I will make sure my fridge is stocked with celery, onions and carrots,  I will search out bones, and this year with my new smoker, will try smoking some of my own bones for soup.  I plan to do some experimenting, and some old favorites, and I promise to share them all with you.

I was always surprised that the most popular soups I sold when I was working in food service were chicken (any kind; noodle, rice, barley)  and split pea.  Do you have a special soup you love to make?  Are you willing to try some new ones?  I am still chasing the key to a wonderful yellow lentil soup I had years ago, that blew my mind, and will keep trying this year.

It’s not just soup though that I’m planning on making through the cold months.  I will be braising, stewing and roasting too.  We’ll bake pies, both savory and sweet, and I’ll tackle that slow cooker!  I hope you’re as excited as I am, and that you’ll join me as we rejoice in another turn of season.  Please tell me what, if anything you love about fall!

9/5/2013