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In most parts of the world, apples are abundant and sweet this time of year. You know what’s also probably still abundant and sweet? All that leftover Halloween candy you’ve got piled up, that you keep eating for breakfast on your way out the door. Don’t deny it, I’m onto you.

If you’re growing tired of all that unnatural, corn-syrup filled sweetness, maybe its time to go with something a little more homemade, fairly healthy and just as sweet.

Behold, apple pancakes. With apple slices, plump raisins and crunchy walnuts, this apple-licious recipe (adapted from Recipes Every Man Should Know by Susan Russo & Brett Cohen) is sure to please. Just whisk, mix, pour and watch the griddle transform the batter into a delicious breakfast treat.

As Fall settles in and the air gets chilly, one of the first things you want to do is curl up in comfort with a thick bowl of warm soup. You want to just sink into the swirling rich flavors of a hearty chicken broth, filled with chunks of chicken, ham and peppered with peas, carrots, and celery slices.

With a piping hot bowl of soup, you’ll find that you’re brave enough to take in the colder days and longer nights. They’re here to stay for a while, so go ahead, make yourself a big pot of chicken noodle soup. Nothing else will make you feel this good.

With back to school days now in full swing, you may need A+ snacks to put in your little one’s lunch pail, or for a quick nibble after school. Here’s one that will definitely win top honors… easy-to-bake Bacon Cheese Muffins.

The crisp bacon bits, mixed into the wholesome muffin goodness with melted cheese inside is sure to make this a winning treat!

Every year on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar, on a date that parallels the autumnal equinox of the solar calendar, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated. Families come together in China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines… all over the world. Food is shared under the Harvest Moon, a symbol of abundance and prosperity in many cultures.

To celebrate the abundance of food and good fortune, I whipped up a quick stir fry dish with the vegetables and beef strips I had on hand. One of the easiest dishes to put together, a good stir fry never fails to remind us that food is the one thing that unites the world, and will continue to do so, for many moons to come.

Yesterday was More Herbs Less Salt Day and it made me run to the pantry and clear the shelves of anything with high sodium content. I was resolved to use more herbs and natural ingredients to flavor the foods I made that day. So with rosemary, thyme, garlic, fresh tomatoes, cheeses and produce in-hand, I whipped up with delightfully easy pizza.

In fact, I made so much, I ended up inviting friends over for an impromptu pizza gathering.

You’ve got a last minute invite to a friend’s Summer party. You’ve got no time to prepare and your reputation as an awesome chef to maintain. What do you do? What do you make?

The answer? Chorizo and cheese-stuffed mushrooms.

A quick and easy fix for any last minute chef, once cooked, the flavors of melted cheese and butter seep through the mixture of spicy, finely chopped Spanish chorizo meat which is seasoned and stuffed into jumbo mushrooms. This delicious appetizer will make everyone think you slaved over the stove for hours. But you and I, we both know the truth. And I’ll keep your secret.

You can bring it baked and ready to eat or if the hosts allow, bring it in a foil pan and cook it at the party in under 10 minutes. And just as the guests are arriving, these stuffed mushrooms will come out of the oven (or the top of the grill) steaming hot, butter dripping, cheese melting and the chorizo sizzling.

Once this happens, be ready to deal with the onslaught of invitations to everyone’s summer party or neighborhood potluck. You’ll be the hottest, most sought-after party guest of the season. You and your spectacular stuffed mushrooms.