Category: fall

Cozy Fall Bucket List – 20 Things To-do

The Wild GemsLeave a comment

Here’s a fun and cozy fall bucket list with at least 20 things you can do to fully embrace the season:

1. Visit a pumpkin patch and pick the perfect pumpkins.

2. Carve or paint pumpkins with creative designs.

3. Go apple picking at a local orchard.

4. Bake a homemade apple pie or pumpkin bread.

5. Take a scenic hike to enjoy the fall foliage.

6. Go on a hayride or take a trip to a corn maze.

7. Have a bonfire night with s’mores and hot cider.

8. Decorate your home with fall-themed decor like leaves, gourds, and cozy candles.

9. Host a cozy movie night with classic fall or Halloween movies.

10. Attend a fall festival or farmers market.

11. Make homemade chili or a hearty soup for a cozy dinner.

12. Create a gratitude list and reflect on what you’re thankful for.

13. Have a picnic outside, surrounded by colorful fall leaves.

14. Go thrift shopping for cozy fall sweaters and scarves.

15. Collect leaves and create a fall craft or wreath.

16. Try a new fall-flavored coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

17. Visit a haunted house or go on a ghost tour.

18. Start a fall-inspired book or reading list.

19. Create a fall playlist with your favorite cozy songs.

20. Stargaze on a clear, cool fall night wrapped in blankets.

Pie Crust Recipe For Galette Baking

The Wild Gems2 Comments

This pie crust is flaky and delicious! Perfect for all sorts of galette baking!

Servings: Makes 2 pie crusts

What You Need:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted cold butter chopped

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon of sugar

1/2 cup of ice cold water

Steps:

1. Add the flour, salt, sugar, and butter into a medium/large bowl and mix until crumbly like texture (I like and prefer to use my hands). The other option is to use a food processor and pulse until butter is broken up and no more large chunks remain.

2, Next add the cold water to batter and combine together until one large dough ball.

3. Divide dough in half. Freeze one half for another time and place other dough ball in the fridge until ready to bake.

4. When ready to bake line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Roll out dough into a circle but be sure to not make it too thin. Fill galette with filling and then fold the edges. Brush the edges with egg white. Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes.

Enjoy!

That’s it! Now you can get creative with your fillings!

Apple Or Peach Filling Recommendation:

Slice 4 medium apples or peaches unpeeled or peeled and toss in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Once mixed well place filling in prepared dough, topping off the apples or peaches with 1 tablespoon of chopped butter.

Enjoy with vanilla ice cream!

Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Bites

The Wild Gems3 Comments

These are delicious, you’ve been warned!

Makes 28- 30 donut bites

What You Need:

Start with 2 medium/large bowls and separate with wet ingredients and dry ingredients

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 cup of canned pure pumpkin

1 egg

1/3 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup of milk

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup of all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Steps:

1. Mix together dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another bowl. The mix wet ingredients with dry ingredients into one bowl.

2. Butter 2 mini muffin pans and scoop a tablespoon into each muffin cup.

3. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 mins or until toothpick comes out clean. Oven time may vary.

4. While baking warm up 1 stick of butter in a small bowl until completely melted and mix together 2/3 cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon in another bowl.

5. Once the donut bites are done immediately toss in butter then sugar and cinnamon mixture one at a time. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

*** You can also make ahead. Batter can be left in the fridge for up to 3 days! ***

Pumpkin Spice Waffles

The Wild GemsLeave a comment

A great way to start Fall. Full of flavor and so yummy! Enjoy!

Servings: 10-15 large waffles or 20 to 25 small waffles

What You Need:

Wet Ingredients:

3 large eggs

1 1/3 cup of milk

1/4 cup pure maple syrup (the real stuff)

3 tablespoons of unsalted melted butter

1 cup of canned pumpkin NOT THE WHOLE CAN (save the remaining pumpkin for a different treat)

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups of all purpose flour

1/4 cup packed of light brown sugar

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

1/4 teaspoon of salt or “a pinch”

2 teaspoons of pumpkin spice seasoning

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Steps:

1. In one large bowl mix together your dry ingredients. In another medium/large bowl mix together your wet ingredients.

2. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients.

3. Heat up your waffle iron to a high setting and cook as directed to your waffle maker. ***Since these are made with pumpkin they can have a difficult time getting to that crisp texture but I have a tip below!***

serve these with whipped cream and a cinnamon apple recipe!

Waffle Making Tips:

• a good indicator that your waffle is complete is little steam or no more steam is present.

• waffle maker didn’t make them crisp the way you like it? No problem. Once waffles are complete pop them into your oven or toaster oven at 250 and bake them for a bit. Delish! (Toaster worker too if you made them enough)

• would definitely recommend freezing. Store in a freezer safe bag using parchment paper to separate the waffles. If you know you’re going to be freezing while making then definitely don’t aim for waffle perfection. Cook them a little soft so when they are reheated they are perfect! A yummy quick breakfast!

Peppered Sweet Corn

The Wild GemsLeave a comment

What You Need:

2 bags of 12oz frozen corn

1 cup of milk or heavy cream

(I have tried both ways. If I don’t have heavy cream I just use milk. Heavy cream will make it thicker and provide a subtle change in taste)

1 teaspoon of pepper

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/4 cup of sugar

8oz package of cream cheese

1 stick of unsalted butter

Steps:

1. In a medium sauce pan on low medium heat begin to melt the butter with the corn. Then add your heavy cream and cream cheese.

2. Once the cream cheese and butter are completely melted add the sugar, pepper, and salt.

3, Allow to simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Adding more salt and pepper if necessary. Serve warm.

A yummy side for holidays, potlucks, or some delicious ribs.

Enjoy!

Arroz Con Leche – ‘Mexican Rice Pudding‘

Featured The Wild GemsLeave a comment

What You Need:

7 cups of water

1 cup of white rice

1 teaspoon of cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick

1 12oz can of evaporated milk

1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk

1 cup of whole milk

1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract

Steps:

1. In a medium/large simmering pot bring the water, rice, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to a boil or the cinnamon stick. Boil for 18 minutes, uncovered.

2. Drain the liquid from rice and add the milks and vanilla extract to the pot. Keep the stove on a medium heat and mix for 20 mins consistently until thick and creamy.

3. Pour the rice pudding into a round 2 1/2 qt dish. Mix in the rest of the cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon) and continue to mix while still hot.

4. Serve right away warm or chill for 2 to 4 hours. Dash some more cinnamon on top for appeal. Enjoy!

Simmering Pot Scents-Orange Peel, Spice, And Peppermint

The Wild Gems

Your home is about to smell amazing!

This simple simmer pot recipe will give you all the feels! It’s absolutely heavenly!

This scent is great for the holidays and for your soul. It’s super easy and once you try it I bet you’ll be anxious to get creative with other simmer pot scents!

Get to it! It’s so easy!

Simmer Pot Scents – Orange Peel, Spice, And Peppermint

What You Need:

2 1/2 cups of water

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2-3 drops of peppermint oil (optional)

Steps:

1. Pour water into a pot, bring to a boil, add ingredients.

2. Next, allow the aroma of this sweet scent to fill your home!

(May need to add water depending on how long you let this yummy smelling combination simmer)

And enjoy!

Fall Wines And The Perfect Pairings That Go With Them

The Wild Gems1 Comment

“Every empty bottle is filled with a great story”

-unknown

Fall is here!

Time to start planning those Fall social events and family/friend gatherings! A time to reminisce, laugh, story tell, and mingle!

Who’s excited for the season!!

If you enjoy hosting parties and enjoy wine this is the post for you. Take a look at these perfect Fall Wines and these tasty foods that compliment them perfectly!

Below are 4 Fall wines and the perfect pairings for them to make it easier for your planning.

Fall Wines And The Perfect Pairings That Go With Them

Merlot

  • Slow Cooker Beef Stew
  • Grilled Steak
  • Roasted chicken
  • Grilled Lamb Chops
  • Caprese Salad
  • Caesar Salad
  • Mushrooms (add to a salad, a sauce, or a side)
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Brussels sprouts with bacon
  • Pasta
  • Gouda and cheddar cheese

Pinot Noir

  • Salmon
  • Tuna
  • Glazed Ham
  • Grilled asparagus
  • Pulled pork
  • Pasta
  • Roasted chicken
  • Casseroles
  • Stews
  • Pizza
  • Cheeseburgers
  • Duck

Sparkling Wine

  • Shrimp
  • Fried calamari
  • Buttered popcorn
  • Stuffed mushrooms
  • Fruit based desserts
  • Smoked salmon
  • Oysters
  • Sushi
  • Asparagus
  • Almonds

Unoaked Chardonnay

  • Pasta in a creamy sauce
  • Creamy vegetable soups
  • Chicken
  • Crab
  • Grilled fish
  • Butternut squash
  • Pumpkin
  • Corn
  • Crab Cakes
  • Fried Chicken
  • Turkey

 

If you really LOVE Fall check out this list FALL MUST DO’S list! Click on the link below.

15 MUST DO’S For A Memorable FALL – The Best Season

Brown Sugar And Butter Baked Peaches

The Wild Gems

I received the grocery store ad the other day and as I’m looking it over making my grocery store list it said it was national peach month! Say what! Who knew. So of course they had peaches for sale.

(Tips for grocery store shopping in link below)

9 Grocery Shopping Tips, For A Stress-Free Trip Every time

Without knowing it was national peach month the grocery store ad reminded me that I already had peaches!

I wouldn’t mind getting more peaches on my next trip but I needed to do something with these ones that were now sitting on my counter. So I decided to make baked peaches!

If you have peaches on hand and want a quick easy dessert let this be your go to!

It’s very simple to make and very delicious. Especially when served with vanilla ice cream. Yum!

Brown Sugar And Butter Baked Peaches

Servings 8

What you need:

4 ripe peaches

8 Tablespoons of salted butter (NOT room temperature butter)

8 tablespoons of brown sugar

1/2 tsp on cinnamon

1/4 tsp of nutmeg

Steps:

Cut peaches in half and removes pits

Place a tablespoon of butter onto each peach half

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of brown sugar onto each peach half

Combine nutmeg and cinnamon and sprinkle onto peaches

Bake in the oven at 350 for 15 to 20 mins or until peaches are soft (oven times may vary)

Serve with vanilla ice cream

Enjoy with loved ones!