When the first cool morning finally rolls into LaGrange after a long Georgia summer, something shifts. The windows open, a light jacket comes out of the closet, and suddenly all anyone wants is something warm simmering on the stove. The good news is that you do not need a huge kitchen or a pantry full of specialty gadgets to cook like it is fall. Your brand new apartment kitchen at The Remy has everything you need to make these seasonal favorites.
Start With a Few Kitchen Basics
A large pot, a sheet pan, a cutting board, and a good knife will cover almost every recipe below. If you have a slow cooker, even better, since it lets dinner cook while you are at work or out enjoying the weather. None of these take up much cabinet space, and each one earns its spot all season long.
One Pot Turkey Chili
Chili is the unofficial dish of fall, and this version comes together in a single pot. Brown a pound of ground turkey with a diced onion and a few cloves of garlic. Stir in a can of kidney beans and a can of black beans (both drained and rinsed), a large can of crushed tomatoes, two tablespoons of chili powder, a teaspoon of cumin, and a little salt. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring now and then. Top it with shredded cheese, sour cream, or sliced green onion. Leftovers taste even better the next day, which makes this a perfect Sunday cook for easy weeknight dinners.
Sheet Pan Sausage and Fall Vegetables
This is the recipe for nights when you want a real meal with almost no cleanup. Cube a couple of sweet potatoes, cut a handful of Brussels sprouts in half, and slice a red onion. Add a package of sliced smoked sausage, then toss everything on a sheet pan with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of smoked paprika. Roast at 425°F for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through. One pan goes in the oven and one pan goes in the sink.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Few things feel better than coming home to a kitchen that already smells like dinner. Add two chicken breasts, two diced carrots, two stalks of diced celery, a diced onion, half a cup of uncooked wild rice, six cups of chicken broth, and a teaspoon of dried thyme to your slow cooker. Cook on low for six to seven hours. Shred the chicken with two forks, stir in a splash of cream or milk, and season to taste. It freezes well too, so you can stock up for chilly nights ahead.
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Fall cooking is not just for dinner. Mix two cups of old fashioned oats, a teaspoon of cinnamon, a teaspoon of baking powder, and a pinch of salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together one and three quarter cups of milk, one egg, and a quarter cup of maple syrup. Combine everything, fold in one diced apple, and pour it into a greased 8 inch square baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes. Slice it into squares and reheat a piece each morning for a breakfast that feels like a treat on a busy weekday.
Warm Spiced Apple Cider
Round out the season with something to sip. Pour a jug of apple cider into a pot, then add two cinnamon sticks, a few whole cloves, and a few orange slices. Let it warm on low for about 20 minutes without boiling. As a bonus, your whole apartment will smell like fall, no candle required.
Shop Local for Fresh Fall Ingredients
Part of the fun of fall cooking is picking out seasonal produce like apples, sweet potatoes, and winter squash. Troup County has plenty of farmland, and local produce stands and seasonal markets around LaGrange are worth a stop when you want something fresh. A walk around historic downtown LaGrange and Lafayette Square makes for a nice fall afternoon too. With nearby grocery stores and easy access to Interstate 85, restocking your kitchen from The Remy is simple any day of the week.
Share the Season With Your Neighbors
Fall recipes are made for sharing. Cook a double batch of chili for a game day get together, bring a pan of baked oatmeal to a weekend brunch, or invite a neighbor over for a mug of warm cider. Good food has a way of turning a building full of neighbors into a real community.
Make Yourself at Home at The Remy
At The Remy, we believe home should be a place where you can slow down and enjoy the little things, like a warm bowl of soup on a cool LaGrange evening. If you are looking for a new apartment home this fall, contact our leasing team to schedule a tour. We would love to show you around.