A Pinch of Fall

I can’t believe we’re already through the first week of September and that summer is technically over! I’ve been back at home organizing all of my things and getting ready for my next big move before I’m back out in the real world. Home for me is in Southwest Florida, so it definitely still feels like summer down here!

To help ease my mind into the transition of fall (which is probably my favorite season), I’ve been collecting some fall recipes I want to try my hand at in the weeks to come. Starbucks has already begun selling their famous Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, so it’s only a matter of time before we all embrace the fall flavors, weather, and changing scenery.

Below are the top 5 recipes I want to make ASAP – let me know some of your personal favorite fall treats and maybe I can incorporate something into the blog! Also, be sure to follow my Pinterest board, A Pinch of Fall, for even more of my favorite fall recipes.

Always a classic – Traditional Pumpkin Pie recipe courtesy of Williams-Sonoma – I’ll save this one for Thanksgiving!

For those colder nights, I’ll have to try Martha Stewart’s Apple-Pie Spiced Cider.

No dessert is complete without some chocolate! These Pumpkin-Chocolate Whoopie Pies courtesy of Lauren Conrad look divine!

Camille Styles made a list on her blog of the best Fall Cocktail recipes – I’ll have to give them all a try!

Of course I had to include a hearty fall breakfast dish in this list! Definitely trying these Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes on a lazy Sunday.

Breakfast Power Sandwich

It’s no secret that breakfast is the most important meal of the day for your body (and my favorite!). So it’s important to make sure you are getting the right amount of protein and whole grains to get you energized and revved up for the day ahead of you.

Ever since my 6th grade home economics class, I’ve been making myself breakfast sandwiches when I’m on the go – whether it’s before prepping for a big exam, before a busy work day, or just because it’s simply delicious. My whole family has caught on to how I make my famous “Carly McMuffin” that they now make them for themselves.

It’s a really easy recipe that can be served up in just under 10 minutes (my record is 4 minutes after a cup of coffee). Here’s what you need to make your personalized egg McMuffin:

1 English Muffin

1 slice of cheese – I choose swiss cheese

1 tomato slice

1 egg

1 slice of honey-glazed ham or 1 breakfast sausage patty

Italian seasoning

Salt

Put the english muffin in the toaster for about 3 minutes, until its crisp around the edges. While the english muffin is toasting, mix the egg and a sprinkle of the Italian seasoning and salt together in a small bowl. Then heat a frying pan up to medium high and fry the egg omelet style, folding it in half after about a minute in the pan. By now the english muffin has most likely finished toasting, take it out and set it on a plate with the slice of cheese on top of the bottom half, letting it melt. When you’re done frying the egg place it on top of the cheese. Finish off the sandwich with your slice of ham or sausage patty (which you can heat up while frying your egg), the tomato slice, and the top half of the english muffin. There you have it, your own breakfast power sandwich!

 

Be sure to check out my favorite links from the week:

1.) Apparently this kid is awesome at TV interviews.

2.) Vanity Fair just released their International Best Dressed List – see who made the cut!

3.) Emma Watson on her style inspiration.

4.) Love these polka dot TOMS for Fall.

5.) Post-run yoga sequence to alleviate pain and soreness.

Scrumptious Blueberry Muffins

Nothing beats dessert for breakfast, am I right? Pastries, muffins, and any breakfast food with the slightest bit of chocolate in it is one of my biggest weaknesses. I love waking up knowing I can have a warm croissant or fresh muffin to go with my daily cup of coffee.

This weekend my parents are in town visiting and I wanted to make something easy for us to take on the road for breakfast as I’m sure we’ll be doing lots of sightseeing and fun activities throughout Boston. I’ve made these blueberry muffins in the past, courtesy of one of my favorite blogs, Cupcakes and Cashmere and they were a huge hit so I thought, why not make them again!

The recipe itself is from Ina Garten and makes plenty of batter for at least 16 scrumptious muffins. I like to add streusel on top of mine so I used a basic brown sugar streusel topping, which can be found here.

Be sure to put the streusel on top of the batter before placing the muffins in the oven for a crisp topping.

I alternated between using a regular sized muffin pan and a mini muffin pan for those who wanted a bite-size portion to go with their breakfast.

Bon appétit!

I hope you all have a great weekend!