Crazy Weather Crazy Cooking

 October has been giving us some wild weather lately. One day could be ninety  degrees and summery despite the fallen leaves. The next day could be full of frigid temps. It's worse dressing for this crazy weather  but what about cooking in it as well?

 One important  aspect is don't put away y the grill until there's the threat of a snow fall or ice storm. if the weather right now is pretty decent , keep the grill going.  You can still make all sorts of barbecue and even create fall themed salads like apple -cabbage slaw. It 's even good to host a backyard tail gate party where all sorts of meats and veggies can be put over an open flame. Many grocery stores have stopped selling charcoal but you can use non toxic , non chemically treated twigs. You can forage for twigs in your local forest. Think cottonwood,  mesquite , oak and hickory for an aromatic smoke. (of worst comes to worse and you can;t find any twigs or charcoal,, there is newspaper. Just don;t use lighter fluid on it other wise you;ll be dealing with a conflagration.  Another idea is just use your fire put to toast hot dogs and make s'mores.  As for  dessert think  apple cider popcicles to celebrate the season while cooking off. Its; just putting the cider in popsicle molds. added chopped caramel for a caramel apple effect.

If the weather is chilly and buttery then you have a whole range of warming foods to choose from. One of the simplest and the most comforting is Homemade soup.  A good Piedmontese pumpkin soup , rich with cream butter and rice is the perfect  hot meal on a nippy night. Be sure to use plan pumpkin  puree instead of the already  spiced one used for pies A chopped white onion is used for more flavor. Another great from scratch soup is a sausage bean and rice one. Use a recipe that is rich in veggies, from carrots, celery and chopped spinach and flavored with savory cannellini beans and Italian sausage. Of course cold weather means you can use the oven again for creating delicious roasts. There is nothing as satisfying as a London Broil with homemade Yorkshire pudding swimming in veef gravy. Serve with a slice of Brussell sprouts or spinach for a truly heart working, rib sticking meal. Cooler weather means a perfect time to bake too. Spiced pound cakes are always a favorite, They can be served as dessert with whipped cream or just eat plain with a hot cup of coffee or tea. 

Sometimes there is cray weather. That means going  with the flow and cooking accordingly. It makes for easier work .