Well, it’s nearly the middle of October here in MN, and we are still seeing temps in the 80′s.  Yes Eighties.  And being an MN girl, I am not happy about that.  I want those crisp mornings, and cool evenings.  I don’t think I should have the air conditioner on in October…at all.  Ever.

So, in the spirit of fall I am cooking up one of my favorite fall soups.  Creamy chicken and wild rice.

In the mix:

Carrots (I still had baby carrots in the fridge, so I sliced up about a dozen or so)

1 to 1 1/2 cups frozen peas- depending on how you feel about peas

Cream of mushroom soup (I got 1 large can that =2 regular cans)

1/2 cup cooked wild rice

3 large cooked and cubed chicken breasts

1/2 can of chick broth

1/4 cup whole milk

Cook the wild rice based on the directions on the package, but basically you boil it for 25-30 mins until the rice opens.  Cook the chicken throughly and cut into cubes (or strips if you prefer).  Slice the carrots and then combine all ingredients in a crock pot (or in a large pot on the stove).  Simmer for 2-3 hours to let the cream base cook down a bit.

I made a bigger batch so that I could, yes you guessed it, freeze some for later.

I also have been making some cookies today:

Pumpkin “blossom” cookies!

I had found a great sounding recipe from Picky Palate.   But trying to be more cost conscious I opted for the Betty Crocker Pumpkin Spice cookie mix and the…get this…PUMPKIN SPICE HERSHEY’S KISSES.  o.m.g.

Now, at first I thought they were a fail.  The PP recipe advised to put the cookies in the fridge immediately after pressing the kisses into the cookies.  immediately is not soon enough.  I highly recommend freezing the kisses, prior to unwrapping them, as mine were all melty just by my body heat when unwrapping them.  So I stuck em in the freezer while the cookies were baking.  It helped keep them from puddling up while I finished pressing kisses on the entire batch.  Then I put the cookies in the fridge to set the kisses and cool the cookies.  The 3rd batch was much better.

I do however, think that the next time I make these, I will use the cake recipe from Picky Palate, since those look amazing, and mine are just ho-hum.  But they smell amazing and taste wonderful!

What was the last new dish, treat or food you tried?  Was it a fail, or is it a new fav?