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Thursday, September 3, 2009

An Autumn Meal

September
The breezes taste
of apple peel.
The air is full
of smells to feel;
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning Brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished
With a morning haze.
John Updike
Isn't September just such a lovely month? And doesn't John Updike's poem
capture it so well? Or at least as well as a lovely month can be captured with mere words?

In just a couple of weeks it will be "officially" autumn in the northern hemisphere whether or not it exactly feels like autumn yet . In the West it is still very warm, but from what I've been reading across the net that's not stopping anyone from jumping right into the season, whether its in decorating or cooking or in organizing households for the new school year.

So here's my first contribution to the new season..........a meal I've been making on the first day of autumn for quite a few years now. It's from a little cookbook I picked up in the late 80's and the quick and easy main dish is called Skillet Sombrero Pie.

Photo from "Holiday Cooking with Kids" by Janet Wilk

Skillet Sombrero Pie
Makes 6 servings
Prep time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
I pound ground beef
1 10- ounce package frozen corn, thawed
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 16-ounce can tomatoes
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
or
if you're like me you add 1/2 diced onion instead
1 1 3/4 -ounce package chili seasoning mix
1 6-ounce package corn chips
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
Equipment:
wooden spoon
large deep skillet
1. Stir ground beef and onion in skillet over medium heat until it browns
2. Stir in corn, tomato sauce, tomatoes, and seasoning mix
3. Turn heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes
4. Arrange chips in ring around edge of skillet
5. Sprinkle cheese in center and cook until cheese melts, 3 to 5 minutes
6. Serve pie directly from skillet

I usually serve this simply with a green salad. Like in the photo, we have "Monster M&M Cookies" for dessert and if the weather is cooperating, even a little bit, we have the hot apple cider to drink........otherwise it's great big glasses of ice cold apple juice.

Hope you're making plans to enjoy the great season ahead!
I'm linking up with these sites on this lovely "almost autumn" weekend. Be sure to visit them..... just click on the photos........
I'm also linked to The Inspired Room for Fall Nesting Week!

17 comments:

Anna said...

Autumn is my absolutely favorite! I'm getting in the mood for sure and this lovely poem is perfect for this week. I've never read this one before and I love it!
Anna

Stayathomemommy said...

I love the poem and then to see the meal! Goodness we will just have to try that. Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed day.
Karrie

bj said...

Beautiful little poem. The meal looks fabulous.

YayaOrchid said...

I used to think Spring was my favorite Season. But no more. Autumn is my absolute favorite!

Your recipe looks amazing! And the sound of apple cider sounds delish.

YayaOrchid said...

I used to think Spring was my favorite Season. But no more. Autumn is my absolute favorite!

Your recipe looks amazing! And the sound of apple cider sounds delish.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful poem. This recipe sounds YUMMY!!! THANKS!!! for the GREAT!!! recipe. Geri

Southerncook said...

Looks like a very good recipe and one I would like to try. Thanks for posting.

Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

Pricilla said...

Now that really looks like a good dish. I like that its easy too and not too many ingredients. How can I get the recipe for the Monster M&M Cookies?

Mary Bergfeld said...

Elaine, I wish I had this recipe a few weeks ago. My grandson's would have loved this. It's perfect fall family fare. I hope you are enjoying the lone weekend.

The Desperate Cook said...

I love your autum pumpkin dish. The sombrero pie looks really good.

Vanessa said...

What a beautiful poem! Thanks for sharing it. I'm copying it for my collection. Food looks great too. I love the idea of serving something special on the first day of fall!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Yum Elaine.... That 'pie' looks good. I copied the recipe and hope to try it sometime.

However, your cookies caught my attention also. I am a cookie-lover.

Hope you have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

honeysuckle said...

It is great that you have a fall ritual and this dish sounds divine. Thanks for sharing and getting us into the autumnal mood. Have a great Labor Day!

Ginny said...

Elaine, Hope you have a great Labor Day Weekend. Looks like you're all ready for Fall. Me too!
Ginny

Nicole Feliciano said...

We were just talking about Halloween! Here's to fall. And thank you for stopping by Momtrends and sharing your recipe. See you next week!
http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/09/friday-feasts-summer-squash.html

Andrea Desere' said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Andrea Desere' said...

The Updike poem was so nice. It's starting to really cool off in my part of the country and really really feels like fall. Love your idea for having a special menu for the first day of autumn. I'm going to try this. My kids are gonna love it. Really enjoy your blog too. Maybe I'll start one of my own one of these days but for now I'm just enjoying reading everyone else's. lol I just became a follower of yours and am enjoying reading your past posts. Hope you're having a great Labor Day weekend! ( read your post about the Ham 'n Cola) Sounds like fun. Enjoy!
Andrea