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Autumn Favorites
Whiskey Cream Sauce
Warm up cooler days with this rich and velvety Whiskey Cream Sauce—perfect alongside beef, chicken cutlets, or whatever you’re serving up. It’s one of those recipes that actually gets better with time, so feel free to make it ahead. I like to keep mine warm in an insulated gravy boat (this one’s my favorite from [Amazon, see link below), just fill it with hot water for a few minutes before adding the sauce to keep it perfectly toasty at the table.
Swedish Meatballs
These easy Swedish Meatballs are a total crowd-pleaser—whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner with frozen Costco meatballs or serving a big batch for a party. Just pop them in the crock pot and watch them disappear! To keep them warm and ready to serve, I use this compact warming tray (here’s the one I love in the Amazon link below)—heat the meatballs on the stove, transfer to your favorite serving dish, and let the tray do the rest.
Salted Caramel Bourbon Sauce
This Salted Caramel Bourbon Sauce is pure indulgence—sweet, salty, and just a little boozy. The trick is keeping a close eye on the caramel so it doesn’t burn, and whisking in the cream slowly (yes, it gets a little wild with steam, but just keep whisking and it’ll smooth out beautifully). I like to store mine in a mason jar in the fridge—it lasts for months and is amazing on ice cream, brownies, apple cake, rimmed cocktail glasses, or honestly… straight from the spoon. For easier cleanup, I highly recommend a good non-stick saucepan (see my favorite from Amazon in the link below) when making this sauce.
Tomato Soup
This Tomato Soup (Ina Garten’s recipe) is my go-to whenever I want to feel cozy and cared for. It’s simple, creamy (thanks to a quick whirl with the immersion blender before adding the orzo), and full of comfort in every bite. If you’ve been to one of our Whiskey Nights, you’ve probably had this soup served with mini grilled cheese sandwiches skewered on top of little soup cups—pure yum! I love making it in a heavy Dutch oven (ssee link below to one of my favorites) for even cooking and rich flavor. Happy Fall!
Linda's Crumb Cake
This Crumb Cake—shared with me by my dear friend Linda—is hands down the most requested treat in my dessert file. It starts with a simple box of cake mix, then (true to Donna’s Doorstep) gets a little extra love to make it unforgettable. My family prefers it baked in a sheet pan (here’s the one I recommend below), though it also works beautifully in a thicker cake pan. One of the best parts: It freezes like a dream. I’ve wrapped the whole cake (pan and all - after it cooled) in many layers of plastic wrap, popped it in the freezer, and when defrosted, it tastes as fresh as the day it was baked. Pure crumbly, cozy goodness!
Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler
I’ll be honest—I didn’t even know what Peach Cobbler was until my sister-in-law brought it to a party… and wow, was it delicious! Warm, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make, this cobbler quickly became a family favorite. It’s heavenly topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The best part: You can bake and serve it right in the same Dutch oven (this one’s the perfect size, see link below)—easy prep, easy cleanup, and all the cozy vibes.
Summertime Favorites
Vegetable Salad with Hummus
Thanks, Ina, for this fantastic recipe! Its simplicity and fresh ingredients won me over—and I discovered I actually like hummus!
It’s perfect to prep ahead: just keep the veggies separate until serving. Best of all, it can sit out all day—great for a wine outing and especially festive at Christmas with the red and green veggies.
Recipe by Barefoot Contessa.
Tip: I've found the Tahini from Trader Joe's and Incredible Tahini are quite tasty. This veggie chopper made prep a breeze!
Besito's Guacamole
After trying the guacamole at Besito's Mexican Restaurant, I had to ask for the recipe—and to my surprise, they actually gave it to me! Over the years, we've made a few tweaks of our own. I like to add a bit more chopped tomatoes & red onion. We also adjust the flavors to suit the crowd we're serving.
It pairs perfectly with all kinds of tequila-based drinks, too. If you're interested in recipes for those, just let me know!
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Lemon Posset with Berries
Another gem from Ina! This dessert is incredibly delicious—like rich, creamy lemon ice cream. It’s surprisingly easy to make and can be served plain or topped with fresh berries.
The recipe typically yields about five ramekins, so plan accordingly if you're serving a group. A key tip: follow the instructions closely, especially when reducing the liquid to exactly 2 cups—it makes all the difference in texture.
Recipe courtesy of Barefoot Contessa.
Tip: Amazon has great, budget-friendly ramekin options!
Perfect Corn on the Cob
After trying too many methods (and goofing a few times), I finally found the simplest, most reliable way to make perfect corn on the cob—delicious every time. One less thing to figure out. Enjoy!
Tip: These tongs work well lifting the corn, I prefer the ones with rubber only on 1 side so when you need a better grip you can get it.
Boursin Prosciutto Phyllo Cups
Here’s a simple, no-bake appetizer that’s sure to impress your guests. Just mix the filling and spoon it into phyllo cups right before serving. I made this for a wine pairing event, and it checked all the boxes—simple, elegant, and delicious.
The smallest scoop below, from Amazon, makes filling these cups a breeze.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Another summertime favorite: Strawberry Salad. I first made it for my daughter’s college friends during a visit, and they loved it so much they asked for the recipe—and made it all summer long. The ultimate test of a great recipe!
Tip: this strawberry huller is actually a handy tool to have as well.
