Do you feel it? Autumn is just around the corner! Soon, there will be a refreshing crispness in the air; pumpkins will start showing up in markets; the leaves will start to turn glorious shades of yellows, oranges and reds. These are some of the things we all associate with the changing season. In a short time, summer’s heat will be a fuzzy memory. Change is in the air.
Imagine this: a kitchen filled with the seasonal, mouth-watering scents of chili bubbling on the stove or a spicy applesauce cake baking in the oven. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is! Must be time to do some cooking! Check this out: the library has recipe books galore for your cooking pleasure!
Autumn is here, and cooler weather is moving in. This is the time of year that I begin to think about changing leaves, cozy evenings at home, and the smell of delicious things baking in the oven. This Sunday afternoon, my husband decided to make some chili, and I found myself in the mood to bake something. But what to bake?
Are you a cookie fiend? A Cookie-A-Holic? Are you looking for that perfect plate of cookies to exchange at your office, church, or school function? Do your taste buds water for new recipes, but you don’t know where to find just the right one?
As the holidays approach, one great way to celebrate is a cookie swap. Whether you're hosting or a guest, everyone will love this kind of party. Each guest makes a few dozen cookies and brings copies of the recipes to swap with the other guests. All the guests should leave the party with a wide assortment of cookies to try.
I loved the holiday seasons growing up. Not just because of the promise of new presents, but also because of all the yummy cookies, candies, and other delectable treats that we got to sample all month long. Then on the big day, trays of cookies, candies, chocolates, and cakes would be placed on the counter for us to graze through for the next week.
With the weather turning cooler, it's time to think about some warm, comforting recipes to make for this time of year. Many times, quick and easy meals can be made in your slow cooker. At the Grain Valley Branch, we have many slow cooker recipe books that have a variety of meals in them. A few examples of our books are the following:
I love cooking, except when I'm tired, out of ideas, or frankly, cranky. I never not like eating, so I often browse the cookbooks that promise ease and speedy preparation, married with great taste.
I love my crock pot! Although I am a (mostly) modern woman with a full-time job, my family still depends on me to provide meals every evening. And, I do enjoy cooking. I take pride in providing nutritious meals for my loved ones, and I have even been told that I am a very good cook.
Having said that, it must be said that in the winter, at the end of the work day, after trekking through snow, and holiday shoppers, no one feels like making cheese and crackers, never mind a whole meal!
This week, I had the opportunity to see TV chef and cookbook author Ina Garten. She was in town at an event sponsored by Rainy Day Books, an independent book store here in Kansas City. While I don't consider myself a very good cook, I love to watch other people cook, even if it is just on TV. I have watched Ina, known to her fans as "The Barefoot Contessa", cook on TV for years and to see her in person was a real treat.
