Homemade Fall Holiday Recipes

Slow Down, Enjoy
Taking your time when preparing a meal for your family is one of life’s simple pleasures. No matter how much pride you take in getting a meal to the table in no-time flat, making a meal that’s truly memorable is so rewarding, no matter how much time it takes. So treasure those occasions when time isn’t your number-one priority, whether it’s a big fall holiday feast or a weekend family dinner.

Pumpkin Black Bean Soup
This thick, rich soup is delicious on a chilly fall day or a perfect accompaniment to your holiday turkey – especially if you or someone you love is a vegetarian.

Serves: 6-8
Prep time: 60 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS
3 cans (43.5 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin puree
1/2 cup chopped shallot or red onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 tablespoons olive or canola oil
4 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
3 tablespoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Baked pumpkin seeds, for garnish (optional)

1. Place oil, shallot or red onion, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, cinnamon and allspice into a large pot and cook on low-medium heat until the shallot or red onion and garlic begin to brown.
2. Using a food processor, puree the beans and tomatoes with half of the vegetable broth. Add the pureed beans, tomatoes, pumpkin and the rest of the broth to the pot.
3. Simmer the mixture uncovered until thick, about 40-45 minutes. Before serving, stir in the balsamic vinegar. Garnish with baked pumpkin seeds.

Tip: You can add less vegetable broth to create a thicker soup and substitute 1/2 stick of margarine for oil, if preferred.

Tip: Use an emersion blender to simplify the process. You can puree the ingredients together inside the pot you’re using to cook the soup, instead of using the food processor.

Tip: To bake pumpkin seeds follow the simple instructions in this Great Pumpkin article.

Homemade Bread Basics
Homemade foods are a great way to show your love and appreciation for others. Loaves of bread straight from your own oven make great gifts for housewarming or dinner parties and can add something special to any meal. Follow these basics whenever you bake bread and you can’t go wrong:

• Always follow instructions exactly and don’t skip steps; bread making can take time, but the end results are worth it!
• Settle in before jumping in to make your experience more enjoyable. Set up all of your ingredients and tools on a counter or other work surface, put on some relaxing music and pour a glass of your favorite beverage.
• Put away and clean as you go to streamline your process.
• Always preheat the oven completely before putting your bread in to bake.
• Try to use fresh ingredients whenever possible.
• When handling dough, coat your hands with flour to keep it from sticking.

Simple Rosemary-Sage Bread
This fresh and fragrant bread is a great companion for soups and can also be used for dipping or as a base for the open-faced turkey sandwich below.

Yields: 2 loaves
Prep time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 cup warm water
1 package (.25 ounce) active dry yeast
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely diced
2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely diced
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cups bread flour
1 can non-stick olive oil spray

1. In a medium bowl, dissolve the sugar in 1 cup of warm water and mix in the yeast. When yeast is foamy, mix in butter, rosemary, and sage.
2. In a large bowl, mix 3 cups of bread flour and salt. Gradually add the wet mixture to the large bowl, and knead for about 10 to 12 minutes. Make sure to keep the dough moist.
3. Spray the inside of a clean, large bowl generously with olive oil. Place kneaded dough in the bowl, cover with a towel, and allow to rise for 1 hour in a warm area of your kitchen.
4. After 1 hour, punch the dough down, and divide in half. Lightly spray the inside of 2 loaf pans with olive oil, shape dough into 2 round loaves and place inside the pans. Recover, and allow to rise for an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Make sure it’s completely preheated before placing bread inside.
6. Bake 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.
7. Take 1 loaf out of the oven and carefully remove from the pan, tapping lightly on the bottom to check for a hollow sound. If there is no hollow sound, continue to bake, checking frequently.
8. Once done, allow to cool in the pans for 30 minutes, and then cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes prior to slicing.

Tip: Customize this bread by switching out sage and rosemary for your favorite fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, thyme or even mint.

Warm Turkey and Havarti Sandwich
Perfect for leftover turkey, served open-face on warm, homemade bread and topped with sweet and simple Mango Chutney.

Serves: 4-8
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS
Leftover turkey, sliced finely
1 loaf homemade bread, thickly sliced
16 slices of Havarti cheese or 1 bar of Havarti, sliced
1 can olive oil spray
Simple Mango Chutney

1. Preheat your toaster oven to broil or preheat your oven to 400ºF.
2. Spray the bottom side of each piece of bread with a small amount of olive oil and place on your baking tray. Lay a slice of Havarti on top of each piece.
3. Put the tray into the toaster to broil or oven to bake just until the cheese melts on the bread, and remove.
4. Place the leftover turkey on top of the melted Havarti and top with a heaping spoonful of Simple Mango Chutney.
5. Top with another slice of Havarti and return the tray to the toaster oven to broil or oven to bake just until the Havarti is melted, or for about 3 minutes.
6. Transfer to a plate and serve hot. Top with additional Simple Mango Chutney, as desired.

Tip: These sandwiches can be served for lunch or as hors d'oeuvres at a holiday party.

Whenever you make a homemade meal, infuse it with love and a positive attitude. Believe it or not, you’ll really notice a difference and your friends and family are sure to notice your special efforts.