Fall Friendly Recipes Meant to Share
November is all about getting together with friends and family and reflecting on the year as it winds down. Whether you’re cooking together or sharing old stories, fall gatherings are all about creating memories with the people you love. As food is always a focal point of these times, we’ve put together a list of shareable dishes, all of which travel easily.
Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread
Pull apart breads are like the social butterflies of the appetizer world – as soon as one hits the table, everyone makes a beeline for it and hovers until it’s gone. Most commonly served as a riff on cheesy garlic bread, this one showcases fresh herbs, brie and cranberry, making it the perfect shareable snack to start your squad’s annual Friendsgiving or for watching football with friends.
You’ll want to visit a local bakery for the bread – a good size boule with a nice, crispy crust is key here. Make sure your serrated knife is up to snuff when making your crosshatch; achieving maximum cheesiness relies on your cutting almost to the very bottom, but not all the way through.
Bacon Goat Cheese Jalapeno Poppers
The holiday season doesn’t have to wreak havoc on your healthy eating plans. Of course, the easiest way to guarantee that any gathering will have a healthy option is to bring it yourself. Wow the crowd with these better-for-you jalapeno poppers. Their filling is a combination of goat cheese and light cream cheese with less-fatty center cut bacon. Once assembled, cook them under the broiler or on the grill, then dress them up a little with pepper jelly so they’re photo-ready. (Pro tip: wear gloves when you slice the jalapenos and or wash your hands immediately after. Whatever you do, don’t touch your eyes.)
Vinegar Chicken with Crushed Olive Dressing
The run up to the holidays is so hectic that sometimes even saving a few minutes helps maintain your sanity. This chicken recipe from Alison Roman all happens on a single sheet pan, saving you from a sink full of dishes to wash. It’s quick enough for a week night meal and sophisticated enough to double for a dinner party. Don’t let bone-in, skin-on chicken scare you – these pieces crisp up on the outside and still stay juicy, making home cooks look like pros.
Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Fennel
Sorry, turkey, but most of us are big fans of the traditional Thanksgiving meal because of the side dishes. This indulgent take on stuffing from Bon Appetit will have everyone at the table scooping out seconds. You might need to make a couple spots around town to procure all the ingredients, but we promise it’s worth it. After mastering this version, you might never look at boxed mixes again. (Bonus: the dish only uses half a cup of the wine you’ll need, which means you’ll have plenty left to share.)
Sally’s Baking Addiction Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
Pumpkin, arguably the grand dame of fall flavors, can be polarizing, particularly in pie form. Satisfy even the pickiest pumpkin haters with this pumpkin cheesecake. (Who hates cheesecake? No one. That’s who.) Decadent cheesecake mingles nicely with flavorful pumpkin in a ginger snap cookie crust that’s just a little more festive for fall than regular graham cracker.
Pick up a springform pan at your favorite kitchen supply shop if you don’t already have one. Watch Sally’s helpful video here to learn the ins and outs of baking a cheesecake with the water bath technique.
