Like Summer tomatoes, apples are certainly the star of Fall and deserve to be celebrated in savory ways as well as sweet. This sandwich is something I look forward to making throughout the season every year. 

Chinese congee (rice porridge) is an autumn staple in our house. It’s simple to make, easy on your digestive system, and versatile. It’s our go-to for sick days and meal prep since a big pot will make breakfast for a full work week. This recipe is for chicken congee, but I’ve included substitutions in the notes for different variations. Congee is a true pantry recipe and great for days when you need to clean out the fridge. 

Build your latte by mixing 2 shots of espresso and milk with 3 tbsp of date syrup before adding ice and topping with cold foam. You can skip the ice and have a hot latte by steaming the milk before adding your espresso. 

Spicy, refreshing, and absolutely drenched. 

This salad is like if salsa macha and romesco had a baby. If you’re unfamiliar, salsa macha is a Mexican chili crisp made from chilies, garlic, and pepitas or peanuts. During the brainstorm of this recipe though, I decided I wanted a creamy element and ended up  with my version of salsa cremosa. The tomatoes and strawberries balance the richness of the salsa perfectly and the peanuts tie it all together to give you that true salsa macha flavor.

Nature already made your electrolyte supplement: a recipe

When you hear the word electrolyte, one of two companies probably comes to mind. What these companies don’t want you to think about is that you probably have all of the ingredients in your kitchen at any given time to make the product they charge so much for. This recipe is a versatile formula that you can use with a variety of ingredients as long as you stick with the base of coconut water and sea salt. I recommend making a big batch that you can grab from the fridge throughout the week. 

Picnic all the time, gourmet occasionally

I love a picnic because you can literally wrap up a couple apples and some crackers with cheese and you’ve got a solid set up. It’s less about the food and more about the romance of it all. That being said, eating really good roasted chicken with your hands straight out of the Tupperware while you lounge in the sun is its own religious experience. The following collection of recipes is what I would consider a near perfect menu for al fresco dining with people you enjoy. Everything is meant to be eaten at room temp and the format allows for sandwich building or just grazing. Just pick up a bottle of your favorite sparkling and set a date.