Fall greetings, Crunch Crew! The leaves are crunching under our boots, the breeze has a crispness to it, and the air smells faintly of pumpkin spice. That means it’s time to gather round for autumnal recipes, comfort food, and fall activities with friends. Autumn is in full swing, bringing us closer to friends and family. From hosting cozy dinners for your closest friends to preparing your list of recipes for your Thanksgiving feast with family, we at John Wm. Macy’s have you covered this season.
'Tis the Season for Fall Produce
There is so much delicious, hearty produce to enjoy during the autumn season. Rich with flavor and perfect for sharing with guests, we recommend making the most of all the seasonal produce you can. Whether it’s your local grocery store or farmer’s market, there are so many fresh ingredients to choose from. Look for butternut and spaghetti squash, pumpkins, apples, celery, and garlic when you’re selecting your produce for the week!
Baked Spaghetti Squash with Crushed Asiago & Cheddar Cheesecrisps
Speaking of seasonal recipes using hearty autumn produce, we have a perfect–and super easy–spaghetti squash recipe that you and your friends are going to love. Spaghetti squash is extremely versatile. You can mix it with your favorite pasta sauce for an Italian dish or you can season it, roast it, and enjoy all its delicious natural flavors. This roasted spaghetti squash recipe is typically made with breadcrumbs, but we’re giving it a cheesy and crunchy twist (as we’re known to do) that will wow your taste buds.
Ingredients:
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3-4 large cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of crushed John Wm. Macy’s Asiago & Cheddar CheeseCrisps
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Ground pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, then remove and discard the seeds. Flip the squash over on a baking sheet and poke several holes in the squash with a fork. Bake for one hour, until the squash is soft and easy to cut. Allow the squash to cool, then run a fork through the flesh to separate the spaghetti-like strands.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and add the garlic and crushed CheeseCrisps. After about a minute, stir in the squash, parsley, salt, and pepper. Toss together over the heat for about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and top with freshly grated parmesan. Now you’re ready to dig in!
Comfort Food Cravings
One of the best things about shifting to the colder months of the year is all the warm and cozy comfort food you can enjoy with friends. There’s nothing quite like the bonding that happens over a good meal with the ones you love. Here’s one of our favorite recipes to do just that. It’s loaded with delicious flavor, good for you, and has that warm and comforting vibe you need when it’s cold outside. Check out our Pea Soup with Crunch Crostini recipe! With our Grilled Crostini Toasts you get the perfect crunchy texture you need to pair with your soup.
Holiday Hosting is Around the Corner
The holidays are right around the corner, which we’re always excited about since it means more snacking and more time spent enjoying the good things in life together. Whether you’re hosting or trying to decide what to bring to the potluck, we’ve got the perfect recipe for you so you can spend less time planning and more time with family and friends.
Baked Brie with Cheesesticks or Crostini Toasts
Baked brie is just one of those recipes everybody loves. Put this on your appetizer table and everyone is sure to flock right to it. Cheesy goodness in all its forms is just too good to resist! Check out this baked brie recipe and pair it with a side of our Grilled Crostini Toasts or double up on the cheesiness with an added crunch by pairing it with our Original Cheddar CheeseSticks or Melting Parmesan CheeseSticks. No matter what you choose to dip with, it’s sure to be packed with delicious flavor and gooey goodness.
Ingredients:
- 1 12-14 oz wheel of brie
- ½ teaspoon of chopped thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon chopped rosemary leaves
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- Sea salt, optional
Directions:
Remove the brie from the refrigerator and remove wrapping. Place it on a small square of parchment paper. Make shallow slits across the top of the brie, only going through the rind layer, every ½-1 inch in a criss-cross pattern. Let the brie rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the brie on a small sheet pan. Springle the thyme and rosemary, then drizzle with honey. Bake for 20-25 minutes until soft.
Transfer the brie to a serving plate and serve with your crunchy snack of choice!
We hope you enjoy the crisp weather and all the season has to offer! Be sure to tag us in photos featuring John Wm. Macy’s snacks during your autumnal feasts and festivities, and especially if you make one of these delicious recipes for your own Crunch Crew. Until the next time we gather round!
