The pumpkin mash, it was a festive bash!

Hey Foodies! It’s fall, so you know what that means…

The trees are changing colors, the weather is getting cooler, the spices are coming out of the woodwork…life is getting a whole lot cozier.

This time, we’ve got fun things to do in the fall season, warm up with an Apple Cider braised chicken dish, and learn what goes into making apple cider. Get the Halloween party started with a spooky punch, which can be customized for everyone to drink! Let’s get cozy as the seasons change with fall flavors!

Fall Time is here – What should we do?

The leaves are turning orange, yellow, red. They’re falling from the trees, coating the ground as if they were a carpet. A cool breeze blows by, you’re sipping your hot tea, enjoying the changing of seasons. Fall has finally come. Not too hot, not too cold…the temperature just right for outdoor activities. But what exactly should you do? You’re in luck because we’ve got a few ideas to spice up your fall season this year!

• Apple Picking

Call up your local orchard, many of them offer Apple Picking during the fall season! This is a great opportunity to teach your kids about where food comes from, and to enjoy a fresh apple. It’s also economically friendly, so it makes your apple pies just a little cheaper (and more enjoyable too)!

• Pumpkin Bowling

Bowling is always fun, but how can you make it Halloween themed? Paint or carve small pumpkins, and then take a few small plastic bowling pins and paint them like spooky characters! Use the pumpkins as your bowling ball and battle off to see who knocks out the most monsters!

• Spooky Nature Walk

A great way to spice up your fall season is to go on a walk just before it’s dark. Don’t forget to bring flashlights with you! Tell ghost stories, while walking through the dark woods, and enjoy the crisp fall weather…but watch out, the spooky stories just might make it scarier than you expect!

Cider-Braised Chicken

 

Fall channels earthy flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. It also brings a fan favorite flavor: Apple!

What better way to celebrate the coming of fall than with a dish that channels this flavor? Combined with everyone’s favorite meat, chicken, it’s a sure-fire hit this season with your family. It’s also deceptively easy to make, but no one will believe how simple it was! With common ingredients you’re sure to already have at home, try making this simple one pot meal that you can easily make on a weekday night, or bring to your thanksgiving potluck.

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large red onion, chopped roughly
• 1 sliced apple
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Heat a large oven-safe high walled pan or dutch oven over medium-high heat with olive oil. Sear your thighs skin-side down for about 7 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes then remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

In the same pan, add your onion and saute for about 4-5 minutes or until transparent. Add your minced garlic and saute for another minute, or until fragrant. Add your apple cider, chicken broth, and herbs, scraping the bottom of the pan to free any browned bits. Bring to a simmer, then add your chicken. Cover with a lid or aluminum foil, and transfer to the oven. Cook for an additional 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.

If your sauce is too thin for your liking, reduce on your stovetop until your desired thickness.

Serve the braised chicken with the sauce over the top, with mashed potatoes or your favorite roasted vegetables on the side.

What is apple cider and how is it different from Apple Juice?

 

Cider is a raw, unfiltered, and unsweetened juice, making it ideal for applications like cooking, but the apple really matters: the flavor of the cider will be identical to the apple used to make it.

Apple juice is processed, filtered, and pasteurized. It gives it a longer shelf life, and the apple used in its creation isn’t as important, as sugars can be added after the fact to make the taste more consistent.

Because of the added sugars, juice tends to be a substandard choice for cooking applications. Cider has a more natural apple flavor, and the only sweetness it adds is entirely dependent on the apples it comes from, allowing you to control the flavors in your cooking to a greater degree.

What better than a drink to refresh yourself from trick or treating…

 

A punch is a sure-fire hit at any party, for both the host and the guests. Not only does it taste good, but it’s also easy to prepare, and it enables many guests to enjoy it to their hearts content. Try mixing your favorite ginger-ale or lemon lime soda with an equal amount of orange juice, 2 cups of cranberry juice, a cup of lemon juice, honey or simple syrup to taste and your favorite frozen fruit or frozen dessert (we like sherbert, but ice cream will do if you prefer a creamier flavor)! Slice up some fresh oranges, cranberries or pomegranate, and add marshmallows or slightly smushed blackberries to make it a little spookier. If the punch is for an adult party, feel free to add your favorite spirit or liquor to the punch to spice it up a bit. Garnish with red or black ice cubes (add food coloring to the water before you freeze it into ice) and you’re sure to be the talk of the party!

Hot Gradient Porcelain Pasta Bowls

 

Ideal for serving a dish like apple cider chicken; the high walls will keep your sauce in the bowl and not on your table or floor. Flat bottomed and stackable, they’re easy to store, and don’t take up much space. Save yourself the cleanup and consider high wall plates for your next dinner party.

22 ounce Jumbo Portable Coffee Mug

 

These mugs are an excellent choice for your next gathering, such large cups make them perfect for a Halloween punch or a cozy warm drink on a cold fall evening. Coming in many colors, including yellow and orange, these mugs are an excellent choice for adding to your fall cabinet.

 

Ending word -

Thank you for taking the time to read today's Dopamenu. Your engagement and feedback are crucial to our growth. Share your thoughts and ideas with us, and let's enjoy our fall festivities together!

If you enjoy this content, consider engaging with our community, or simply giving us a like and share on your favorite social media. Every little bit helps us to continue giving more back to the community we love!

—— Madeleine