Bad news: It’s getting dark super early again. There’s something about looking out the window after a long work day and seeing your vitamin-D deficient reflection (instead of the glorious sun) that just makes going home feel like a bummer. That’s when I turn to cooking. My free time—previously consumed by frolicking outdoors— significantly lengthens as we creep towards winter, and a super fun recipe with an incredible payoff is a delicious way to bring some joy to the doldrums of uninspired, late-fall weeknight cooking. Below are some of my favorite recipes that take a bit of time, a touch of planning, and just a few extra ingredients, but are incredibly worth it—trust me.
1. Mushroom chowder with crispy mushroom bacon
DIY mushroom bacon? Sign me up. The bacon is optional here, but I beg to differ. The crispy, crunchy bits, contrasting with the creamy soup (and tender bites of more mushrooms inside) are a perfect, savory match. Heck, make some extra “bacon” for tomorrow’s breakfast.