A complete fall inspired meal: Cheesy...soupy...bready!

I am trying out something new with this post! Since so many of us find ourselves doing more cooking and baking in the fall, I have put together a complete meal (including recipes)! We begin with a cheesy appetizer, an autumn soup you can make in the crockpot or on the stove and then we finish up with applesauce bread...an old-fashioned recipe (that I have no clue where it came from).

Let's get started! Maybe this weekend you can make all three:

Baked Cheese Dip 

• 1 block of cream cheese, 8 ounces, room temperature
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise 
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 onion, diced fine

If using oven, preheat to 325*. If using crockpot, set on low or high.

Spray 8x8 baking dish or crockpot with non-stick cooking spray.

In a bowl, mix all ingredients together well.

Pour into baking dish or crockpot.

If using oven, bake for 30 minutes. 

Serve warm with torn crusty bread or your favorite crackers!

Butternut Squash Ravioli and Spinach Soup

• 2 containers of fresh, butternut squash filled ravioli (frozen cheese filled can be used as well)
• 1 large box organic vegetable stock
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Salt, pepper and garlic powder, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Add stock and water into a large pot.

Add spices until you are satisfied with the flavor.

Bring to a simmer.

Add ravioli. 

Add spinach. I like to tear mine up into small pieces.

When the ravioli float to the top, they are done. Usually about 8-10 minutes.

Ladle into bowls and top with grated cheese.

Old Fashioned Applesauce Bread 

• 1 1/4 cups applesauce 
• 1 cup white sugar 
• 2 eggs 
• 3 tablespoons milk 
• 2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
• 1/2 ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1 Cup raisins 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  

Lightly grease inch loaf pan. (You can spray it with cooking spray)

In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, sugar, oil, eggs and milk; beat well.  

Shift in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, 

nutmeg, allspice, and salt; stir until smooth.  

Fold in 1 cup of raisins.  

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. 

Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. 

So, what do you think? Are you happy with my selections? Should I make more posts like this? Let me know what you think! :) 

Everyone needs a good pair of kitchen shears!