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A Well-Seasoned Kitchen®

Friends Coming Over For Dinner? Make These Ahead

Published 7 days ago • 1 min read

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Make-Ahead Favorites For Fall

As the days get shorter and the evenings cooler, I find myself spending more time at home and looking forward to cozy dinners with friends. Fall just seems to draw us back around the table.

So, today I'm sharing 8 recipes I plan on working into my menus this season, from a savory appetizer to 3 comforting mains, 2 fresh seasonal salads, and 2 desserts. They all feel especially right for this time of year, with seasonal ingredients and cozy, comforting flavors. And each can be prepared ahead, at least in part, which makes having friends over that much easier!

Recipes

Prosciutto, Fig, and Goat Cheese Tarts

A little bit sweet and a tad salty, these little two-bite appetizers are assembled ahead and frozen, then popped in the oven without thawing shortly before serving.

Chicken Pot Pie

With a touch of curry and using coconut milk in place of regular milk or cream, this pot pie leans slightly Asian in flavor. I also prefer a topping of biscuit dough instead of pie crust or puff pastry.

Lamb Curry

A classic recipe from my mom that is easy to make and fun to serve, especially with a selection of up to 8 condiments to serve alongside.

Butternut Squash Gratin

Tender butternut squash roasted, then baked with sharp gruyere cheese and baguette slices in a leek-wine sauce for a satisfying vegetarian main or hearty side.

Apple Feta Salad

Crisp Granny Smith apples and salty feta bring fresh fall flavor to the table. Prep the components ahead, then toss everything together just before serving.

Pear Goat Cheese Salad

Juicy pears and creamy goat cheese are topped with candied walnuts and dried cranberries, then finished with a walnut vinaigrette. Feta can be substituted for the goat cheese.

Apple Cake

This longtime family favorite is moist, flavorful, and can be prepared without a blender or mixer. Bake it in either a bundt pan or a 9 by 13-inch baking dish.

Blackberry Pear Crisp

Juicy pears and blackberries baked under a brown sugar, oat, and pecan topping make a perfect fall dessert.

Looking for a complete fall menu? Check out my Celebrating the Flavors of Fall post!

I hope one or two of these recipes find their way onto your table this fall. If you make any of them, I'd love to hear what you think. Leave a comment on the recipe or reply to this email and let me know.

Happy cooking!

Lee

PO Box 1850, Grand Lake CO 80447

www.seasonedkitchen.com

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A Well-Seasoned Kitchen®

by Lee Clayton Roper

Cookbook author and food blogger. I'm all about making cooking and entertaining easy, elegant and fun!

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