Fall Cooking

One of my favorite parts about the fall and the cooler weather is all of the great food that goes along with it. The soups, chilis, breads and pumpkin spice flavors. Cooking is something that I love to do and have to do. Although, it gets very hard during the week with the kids after school schedules, and of course everything happening during dinner time. But I refuse to give in to that and go for fast food or take out (only if I'm desperate). Besides, my kids really do love to eat home cooked food. I also include them in the preparation of the meals. My oldest is an excellent baker, so we always have great desserts thanks to her. My second one loves to cook and can't walk passed the stove without stirring and he makes a great risotto. My third guy is showing interest too and his specialty is guacamole. And finally, the 4yr old is my vegetable washer and she loves her job! So even if it means starting dinner at 2:00 in the afternoon so that we have something good to eat when we walk in from the soccer field, it's something that is very important to our family. I usually double the recipes I make so that we have enough for 2 nights. However, sometimes the kids enjoy it so much that it doesn't make it a 2nd night. Oh well, I can't complain, they are eating healthy and loving it!

This recipe for Lentil Soup with Beef is one I made the other night. I doubled it and had enough for 2 nights of dinner and 3 lunches the third day. I served it with Broccoli Rabe toast. I sauteed two bunches of blanched broccoli rabe in olive oil and fresh garlic place on top of slices Italian bread that I first had my son brush with olive oil (they're great for jobs like that) and then placed a slice of mozzarella on top of each and put under the broiler for just a few minutes. I find that my kids really take pride in their part of cooking the meal and my hope is, they take what they learn in the kitchen and cook for my husband and I one day. Let me know if you try these recipes. Enjoy!