There’s a certain point in late September into early October when I start craving all the little signs of fall. Cooler evenings, dinners that simmer a little longer, a candle burning in the background, and something good playing while I’m puttering around the house.
I’m not quite ready for full-on pumpkin everything, but I am ready for a few seasonal swaps.
Here are five things I’m reaching for on repeat this fall.
Cooking | The cookbook I’ll be reaching for all fall.
Everyday Eats by Alex Snodgrass
The newest cookbook from Alex Snodgrass of The Defined Dish is here, and it’s GOOD.
If you’re not familiar with Alex, she’s the recipe developer behind The Defined Dish and the author of four cookbooks focused on simple, healthy, incredibly delicious food. Her recipes have become some of my favorite weeknight go-tos because they feel achievable without feeling boring.
One of my favorite things about her cookbooks, though, is something that sounds small but makes such a difference: the pantry staples.
Alex calls out the ingredients that will show up throughout the book and then gives you multiple recipes that use them. So instead of buying an ingredient for one recipe and finding it three weeks later hiding in the back of your fridge, you can actually plan around it and use it up. As someone who loves a good grocery list, I find this incredibly helpful.
And while Everyday Eats isn’t specifically a fall cookbook, so many of the recipes feel just right for the transition into cooler weather.
On my list to make first: Skillet French Onion Chicken with Mushrooms, Lemony Chicken and Chickpea Stew, and Chipotle Chimichurri Steak Bite Bowls.
Warm and comforting, but with enough brightness and unexpected flavors to keep them interesting. Exactly what I want to be cooking right now.
Home | What I’m using to make the house feel like fall.
Mrs. Meyer’s Apple Cider
When the Apple Cider collection hits the shelves, I know fall has officially arrived.
The scent has notes of mulled apple, cinnamon, orange rind, and ginger, the perfect combination to make the house smell like fall without the overly sweet pumpkin smell.
I love a seasonal candle, but sometimes the easiest way to make your house feel like fall is simply changing out the hand soap and dish soap.
Eating | A little something I’m putting on everything.
Stonewall Kitchen Roasted Garlic Onion Jam
Stonewall Kitchen can do no wrong, and the Roasted Garlic Onion Jam is another winner.
It’s sweet, savory, garlicky, and just a little bit indulgent. The kind of thing that makes a very normal meal feel like you put in more effort than you actually did.
I’ve been loving it with cheese, on sandwiches, and anywhere else that could use a little something extra.
Burning | Your non pumpkin fall candle.
Preston Leather Candle
I recently discovered Preston products on a weekend trip to Austin, Texas, and it happened in one of my favorite ways: while wandering around a really good grocery store.
If you love unique grocery stores and specialty food finds, Central Market is a must-stop. It’s the kind of place where you go in for milk and leave with a basket full of things you suddenly need to try.
Naturally, I spent some time wandering through the home and wellness section, where I came across a display of sleek, minimal products from Preston. One of them was the Leather candle.
It has notes of brandied apple, bergamot, tobacco, leather, dark plum, and amber, and it smells exactly like the kind of fall I want: a cozy library, a roaring fire, and a good book on a cool evening.
If traditional pumpkin and cinnamon candles aren’t your thing, this is your fall candle.
Listening | What’s on in the background.
Happy Hour with Ina Garten
How did it take this long for Ina Garten to have a podcast?!
We can all take a collective deep breath because the day is finally here.
Happy Hour with Ina Garten launched September 16, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday, and I cannot think of a better addition to my podcast lineup this fall.
Ina, good food, interesting conversations, and something to listen to while I’m cooking dinner? Yes, please.
I’ll be pressing play all season long.