Foods of the Season

Ready for the autumn menu.

I'm ready for a change in the weather and a change in the menu!

All summer long, I try to cook things that require only a short time on the stovetop or in the microwave. It's too hot here for long sessions of roasting, simmering, or baking.

I was thinking today that vegetable soup and cornbread would be good (or chili or beef stew) when the weather finally cools down enough that we can turn off the air conditioner for good. We're still having 85 or 90 degrees most days, and a big bowl of hot soup just doesn't sound good yet.

Our church is celebrating its 45th anniversary this coming Sunday. The church is providing ham and chicken, and everyone's supposed to bring potluck to complete the meal. I haven't made a final decision on what to take, but I'm thinking autumnal.

Pumpkin pie sounds good. Apple pie sounds good too.

Still, I must confess that I already miss the melons and fresh sweet corn of summer. The stores still have a few melons and ears of corn, but they're not the lush fruits of summer. They're the last fruits of half-dead plants. So I guess the seasons are changing even if I'm a little impatient. Everything in its own time -- soup days will be here soon enough.