Happy First Day of Fall

It's September 22! One of the BEST days of the year.

Today’s the day!

It’s now officially Fall, despite capitalism’s schemes of bringing out all our favorite fall treats weeks beforehand. Everyone can now breathe and fully enjoy all the pumpkin-spiced goods without the tinging guilt for being early.

Fall has always been my favorite season. Temperatures are beginning to drop (not sweltering, but not cold, unfortunately), crafts are getting cozier, foods are getting hotter; it’s a PARTY.

Pumpkin is the prima donna flavor in America (which I do love and am a sucker for, but I’m not focusing on her). Let’s talk about all the other squash that will slowly come into the picture! Butternut, acorn, and classic yellow and greens, they’re all welcome to this party! Cranberries and apples are making a comeback, and have so many other opportunities to shine besides putting in a pie or jelly for Thanksgiving. And most of all, it’s officially SOUP SEASON.

This post is the least sentimental I’ve written so far. Don’t worry, I’ll share more childhood stories and Siti moments at a later date. Right now, all my mind can think about is the joy of what’s in and what’s out for this fall.

Alexa, play “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music

Chobani® Oat Pumpkin Spice Creamer

Listen, I’m not a big coffee creamer girlie. But this may be what I look forward to most for the past three Septembers. Apparently, a lot of people do! It’s been sold out the last three times I’ve been to HEB, and can’t find it at any other stores. My roommates and I used up our bottles within three days. It’s nutty, not too sweet, and doesn’t punch you in the face with artificial pumpkin. I talk about this creamer all year round, I wish I was kidding. I’m obsessed.

Adding warmer spices to your savory dishes

First off, this isn’t an original idea in the slightest, I don’t take any credit, I just refuse to gatekeep. Want to feel extra cozy when eating a warm meal? ADD CINNAMON OR NUTMEG OR WHATEVER YA GOT. I think a lot of Americans (specifically young adults) are always surprised when a dish has cinnamon or any other warmer spice. While my research is immensely shallow, I have a better understanding of the impact cinnamon has on so many savory dishes. In Eastern cultures, cinnamon is used in spice blends like Chinese Five-Spice and Garam Masala, as well as being used for braising and meat dishes in places like Mexico, Vietnam, Morocco, Scandinavia, and the Middle East (and probably many more that I haven’t learned about yet).

From my personal knowledge, cinnamon is a staple in almost all of my family's recipes. This fall season, I encourage you to be more open-minded and expand warmer spices into all your recipes!

a prime example: the rice mixture used for my family’s grape leaves is packed with cinnamon (also used for Kousa)

Homemade chai (like real chai)

Before I get into this, I understand that not everyone has the resources or time to make authentic chai. But if you do, it’s WORTH IT! I also recommend doing research on how to make it and the origins of chai by individuals who are more educated than myself! The more you know, amiright ladies?

Earlier this month, I found a Halal and Indian Spice shop about thirty minutes from my house, and it was incredibly helpful to find everything I needed for chai. I also got to stock up on all my favorite staples (an entire blog for another day).

It’s creamy, flavorful, rich, and a new favorite comfort drink!

Every soup and stew is officially IN

I’m a soup and stew girl year-round, but now it’s their time to shine.

One of my favorite soups is this lemon chicken and rice soup with sweet potatoes, garlic, and ginger. But my favorites are ones on the spot with whatever the heck needs to be used up in the fridge or countertop produce! Special addition dishes in this category include curries and mujaddara.

mujaddara from the first time making it by myself, she isn’t the prettiest, but she was tasty.

Silly honorable mentions that resonate with Autumn…

• cranberry salsa w/ Fritos® (shoutout to my Aunt Deb, who has a killer recipe)

• hot girl walks after dinner

• Eleri Ward’s new Sondheim album

• your local coffee shop’s fall menu

Okay friends, go enjoy the new season! I know I will.

With love,

Cara