Trying easy fall recipes

As the colder weather sets in, there is nothing like comfort food to get you in the fall spirit.

Fall is upon us! You already know what that means. Comfy joggers, sweater weather, pumpkin spice everything and easy fall recipes! Staying home and getting snuggly in bed seems like a good idea as the temperature goes down. However, that does not mean you can’t do something fun at home.

As a newcomer in Canada, this is my first time experiencing the fall season in all its red, yellow and brown glory. In this case, I wanted to ease into the fall vibe the best way I know how — food! Disclaimer: I am in no way a good cook. As a post-secondary student away from home, living alone has given me a glaring realization: cooking is an essential skill. But it is never too late to try. The apartment kitchen is a nice place to start and following fall recipes is an excellent motivation to begin.

Join me as I try to put my non-existent culinary skills to the test as I try out fall recipes from FallTok to test how easy they really are and if they taste as good as they look.

Ravioli Tomato Soup

The fall season is officially designated as the soup season. You already know there is nothing better than a hot broth to keep you warm on the insides. That is why it is considered a staple for the autumn weather. Inspired by the creamy tortellini sausage soup, I knew I had to recreate this beauty!

With my sparse knowledge of the kitchen, I knew I had to work smart and not hard. This makes IGNITE’s Soupbar so handy. There is no need to start from scratch! The frozen soups are available on all of Humber Polytechnic’s campuses for FREE and are for all students to enjoy. One of the soup varieties offered is tomato soup, which I used as a base for the recipe.

The tomato soup tasted good by itself. The consistency is thick, just the way I like it. In addition, I sprinkled some parmesan for that extra richness, and honestly, cheese just makes everything better. I also added store-bought ravioli packets and boiled them with the soup to make it more filling. We love one-pot recipes! I topped it off with green onions to add colour and texture to the dish.

Aside from being easy to assemble, this felt like a warm hug in a bowl. I liked how IGNITE’s soup makes it easy to put together a decent meal and is buildable to cater to your liking.

Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea

If you are like me and love iced drinks, no matter the weather, I’m on your side. I think we all need a transition drink, right? Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea is a simple way to level up your regular tea and milk combination.

With pumpkin being a fundamental autumn flavour, this fall recipe adds the autumn touch to your usual tea concoction. In contrast to the original recipe, I brewed my tea with a chai bag and hot water. The cold foam — a mix of heavy cream, sugar, and pumpkin puree — makes all the difference. It has made the drink creamy with a hint of pumpkin notes.

Tea lovers, this is your sign to spice up your drink according to the season!

Apple Crisp Macchiato

Coffee runs feel like a very autumn thing to do. Aside from pumpkin, fall weather calls for the apple and cinnamon duo. For coffee enthusiasts, this is your next go-to drink. This apple crisp macchiato recipe did not lie when it presented itself as a Starbucks drink dupe. It definitely tasted like it was straight from a coffee shop.

This fall recipe starts with creating homemade syrup. Mix together the following ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes:
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ tablespoon cinnamon powder
• ½ cup apple juice
• ½ cup water
Don’t make my rookie mistake of covering the pot. This prevents the syrup from reaching a thick consistency. The syrup I made was watery, but the flavours were all the same.

Add the syrup to your regular iced coffee mix of coffee, milk and ice. Pro tip: a blend of equal parts coffee and hot water is the best alternative for that espresso shot you don’t have in your apartment. I topped mine with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon to add to that coffee shop vibe.

Overall, this drink is 10 out of 10 recommended. It tastes like apple pie in drink form. As someone with a sweet tooth, it has definitely been a delight! I see myself recreating this drink again and again all through the autumn season. This fall-inspired drink is guaranteed to boost your day.

Pumpkin French Toast Rolls

You can never have too much pumpkin flavour for fall, so Pumpkin French Toast Rolls seem very fitting. This fall recipe reminded me of cinnamon rolls but the apartment-friendly version. So I knew I had to try it.

Almost all of the ingredients are found in a post-secondary students’ pantry. With flattened wheat bread as the base, I added the butter pumpkin filling (butter, pumpkin puree, sugar and cinnamon) and started to roll away.

Then, the bread is damped in scrambled egg and fried with butter in a pan. I took the extra mile by rolling it in sugar and cinnamon and adding a sprinkle of chocolate and whipped cream.

Safe to say I had a satisfying snack. The pumpkin butter filling was something new and gave the French toast a fall personality. I absolutely enjoyed doing this because it felt like a complicated recipe to follow, but I finished it in less than 30 minutes (dishes excluded). It was a treat, to say the least!

Two people cheering fall drinks. — *Via GIPHY*

Chef’s hat on!

The fall season brings such a different aura. The best part of it is the traditions that ushered this period in. I had fun getting to know fall’s flavours and creating each version on my own.

It was definitely an experience doing this little cooking experiment. So, if you’re like me and you’re finding ways to welcome fall through your palette, give these fall recipes a go in your apartment or dorm kitchen. All these recipes are pretty straightforward. If I can do it, you can too.

Try these fall recipes as well and share your creations with us @shareignite!

Feature image courtesy of Michelle Marasigan.

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