1. Make Homemade Chicken Stock or Broth.
   If you have never made your own stock this is a perfect time to start. Read through my tutorial on making good chicken stock. Pull out your crockpot or large stock pot, grab your leftover carrots and celery and pick up some chicken bones. After you have done this once you will appreciate how amazing homemade stock tastes and how easy it is. You can make the most delicious soups, stews and risottos with homemade stock at the base. I don’t do this frequently but I am always so happy when I do. Plus if you practice now you will be able to make the most amazing turkey soup with your Thanksgiving leftovers.
   
2. Cook up a Squash
   Squash is a delicious fall staple. Bring home a butternut, kabocha, acorn or pumpkin now; they are in season, inexpensive and full of nutrients like vitamin A, C and dietary fiber. Once you know how to peel one they are easy to prepare and delicious. Don’t discard the seeds, they are great roasted!
3. Stir a Soothing Risotto
   There is nothing I find more comforting then stirring a pot of risotto on a rainy day. Usually I prop a book on the counter, pour myself a glass of wine and relax. Risotto really isn’t as hard as people make it out to be, don’t stress out about it. Get yourself some arborio rice, some nice stock and pick a flavour. If you are still nervous check out this tutorial. Risottos with squash are lovely. You can also take advantage of fall cabbage by trying this recipe. Plus this is a great use for your homemade stock.
4. Bake up something with Cranberries
   Cranberries are chock full of antioxidants and they are great in baking or in seasonal sauces. You can store them in the fridge or freezer and throw handfuls into baked goods like muffins for a lovely sour contrast. Cranberry sauce is delicious for Thanksgiving but is yummy on ice cream too, personally I love it on my oatmeal in the morning.
5. Find a Kale Recipe You Like
   This seasonal vegetable needs love people. If you aren’t a believer try these kale chips, they will turn even the most avid haters of anything green into little bunnies. If you aren’t a newbie try it in soups, pastas, stews, enchiladas…. It holds it’s texture much better then spinach and the iron is easier to absorb.

Now that you have some ideas, I want your help. What are your favorite things to do in the kitchen in Autumn, and what should I be cooking?

Here are some Recipes for Fall:
How to Make Chicken Stock
How to Make Chicken Stock in the Slow Cooker
Butternut Squash, Red Lentil and Coconut Soup
Potato and Leek Soup
Indian Spiced Cauliflower Soup
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Braised Squash with Kale, Sage, and Apples
Spaghetti Squash Gratin
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Fennel Risotto with Goat Cheese
Cranberry Banana Walnut Bread
Cranberry Oatmeal Muffins
Kath’s Cranberry Sauce
Kale Chips
Kale, Zucchini, and Pinto Bean Enchiladas
Kale and Sausage Soup

This would be a great addition to any turkey dinner, the apples, apple cider and apple cider vinegar really enhance the sweetness in the squash, and the sage would blend well with a classic stuffing. I used acorn squash for this recipe, but other winter squashes would substitute well.

More Thanksgiving Recipes:
Sausage and Sage Stuffing
Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
Butternut Squash Soup

For more Fall recipes and Cooking Ideas, check out 5 Things to Cook this Fall