In the Kitchen

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Fall is approaching , and there’s nothing I love more during this season than comfort foods. I’m talking about soups , chili’s , hot cocoa , cheesy and creamy , roasty and toasty goodness. 

I wrote down my top 3 favorite Fall breakfasts, lunches , dinners , desserts and alcoholic drinks , and had my mom pick one of each to share with you. 

First breakfast , Hong Kong style French Toast , sounds fancy doesn’t it. It’s super quick and easy. 

🍁 Ingredients 

• roasty and toasty 

• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter

• thick slices white bread

• Sunflower oil 

• 4 eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

• Maple syrup 

• condensed milk

🍁 Directions 

1 Spread peanut butter on one side of all the bread slices. Sandwich slices of bread , like you’re making a PB&J. Make as many as you like. 

2. Heat  2cm of oil in a heavy frypan over medium heat. Whisk eggs and vanilla paste in a bowl. Soak sandwiches in the egg mixture until the bread is throughly coated. 

1 In batches, cook egg-soaked sandwiches for 4 minutes each side or until golden. 

4. Drain on paper towel. Repeat.

Slice the French toast into triangles, then serve stacked and drizzled with maple syrup and condensed milk. 

I also add a hint of nutmeg or pumpkin spice.

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LUNCH 

Loaded Baked Potato Soup 

• rich , cheesy and creamy 

🍁 Ingredients 

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 slices bacon, diced

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 3 1/2 cups milk , add more as needed

• 3 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• As much sour cream as your heart desires 

• Kosher salt 

•  black pepper, to taste

🍁 Directions 

DIRECTIONS:

1 Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a separate plate. 

2 Melt butter then whisk in flour until lightly browned. Whisk in milk, and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened.

3 Stir in potatoes and green onions.

4 Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender. Stir in cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper.

5 Add additional toppings , and sour cream: definitely sour cream! 

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🍁 Dinner 

🍁 Ingredients

Fajita Shrimp and Grits 

• Savory and comforting 

• 1lb uncooked shrimp , peeled and deveined

• 2tbs fajita seasoning mix

• 1 cup quick-cooking grits

• 4 cups boiling water

• 1-1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

• 3tbs 2% milk

• 2 tbs canola oil

• 3 sweet peppers(seeded and cut into strips)

• 1 medium sweet onion, cut into 1-inch strips

• 1 jar of chunky medium salsa

• 1/4 cup orange juice

• 1/4 cup plus 1tbs fresh cilantro leaves

🍁 Directions 

1 Coat shrimp with fajita seasoning and set aside.

2 Slowly stir grits into boiling water. Reduce heat to medium. Cook and cover , stirring occasionally, until the grits have thickened. Remove from heat. Toss in the cheese and stir in milk. 

3 In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add peppers and onion; cook and stir until tender. Add salsa, orange juice and shrimp. Cook until shrimp turn pink 

4 Stir in 1/4 cup cilantro. Remove from heat.
Spoon grits into serving bowls; top with shrimp mixture. Garnish with remaining cilantro.

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🍁 Dessert 

Chewy Ginger Bread Cookies 

• that sweet pow 

• 3/4 cup butter, softened

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 large egg, room temperature

• 1/4 cup molasses

• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ground cloves

• 1/4 tsp salt 

🍁 Directions 

1 In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in one whole egg and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt.

2 Gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. 

3 Roll into 1-1/2-in. balls, then roll in sugar. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.

4 Bake cookies  at 350 degrees for 10-12 or until they become puffy and lightly browned. 

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Last we have one or my favorite Fall alcoholic drinks. 

This drink is sweet and spicy , perfect for those fall and winter nights. 

🍁 Pumpkin Pie Moscow Mule 🍺

🍷  Ingredients 

• 1.5 oz vanilla vodka

• 1 generous tablespoon pumpkin butter 

• 1/2 lime 

• 4 oz ginger beer

• Cinnamon stick for garnish 

🍁 Directions 

1 Add vanilla vodka , pumpkin butter and lime juice to a shaker with ice. Shake until butter is fully incorporated. 

2 Strain into your favorite cup with ice. 

3 Top with ginger beer and garnish with the cinnamon stick.