We've been cooking up a storm!

One thing about fall is that it certainly inspires me to want to cook. There's just something so wonderful about a warm, cozy kitchen that emanates delicious aromas - it's very difficult to resist!

We seem to spend more time cooking on Sundays because, well, we have more time. Makes sense. Of course, it doesn't hurt that I've discovered a new cooking magazine. Country Cook by the same folks that bring you America's Test Kitchen. If you've not seen the magazine yet, I urge you to check it out. It's a wonderful magazine chock-ful of fabulous recipes that have already been tested to the nth degree to bring you the best tasting (or) quickest method (or) lowest fat version of whatever it is you're going to make.

Last Sunday we made their version of manicotti. Delicioso! It was both super easy and super delicious ... and pretty darn fast to make, to boot!

Mmmmm - yummy! The recipe also makes a LOT. We managed to eat the whole large sized pan throughout the week, taking it for lunches, and the small pan we wrapped and put in the freezer for a night we're short on time or I don't feel like cooking. (I love to have a few easy go-to dinners waiting for us in the freezer! Currently we have this pan of manicotti, two pans of chicken enchiladas, and a small pan of butternut squash lasagna.)

We've also been on a baked oatmeal kick lately. Why? Well, first of all because it's delicious! Secondly, it's super easy to make. You can have all of the ingredients mixed in about 10 minutes, and the add-ins can vary depending on what you have on hand. It seems that lately we always have a few over ripe bananas by week's end, so these are a staple. We've also added blueberries and more recently, toasted walnuts. We've determined that we like the banana/walnut version the best. When heated, it's like eating warm banana bread. YUM!!