Comfort Food & Cozy Books: Perfect Fall Pairings

With the fall season in full swing, one thing usually stands out above all others: food. The food we think about reminds us not only of the incredible Thanksgiving feast we look forward to all year long but also of warm comfort foods that just taste just right during this beautiful season. This year, how about pairing some delicious fall recipes with cozy books? Check out our five fall favorite food and beverage picks and settle into a fall reading routine with the cozy genres we feel accompany each one best.

Chai Tea (Cozy Mystery)

Typically, when thinking of tea, one thinks of a cozy mystery book with a fun play-on-words title. Of the many tea flavors, Chai stands out during the fall and winter seasons, given the delicious spices such as cinnamon and ginger that can be tasted. Make a cup, then cozy up with your mystery pick and enjoy.

Chai Tea Recipe

(Recipe courtesy of Mary Younkin, “Homemade Chai,” Barefeet in the Kitchen, June 22, 2023, accessed October 3, 2024, https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-chai-tea-latte-recipe/.)

Ingredients

3 cardamom pods lightly cracked open with the back of a spoon

6 whole cloves

1/2 cinnamon stick

1/4 slice of fresh ginger

5 black peppercorns

1 bay leaf

1 tbsp loose black tea leaves

3 ½ cups water

1/2 cup half and half

Sugar or honey for taste

Instructions

1. Place the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger, peppercorns and bay leaf in a medium size saucepan. Add the water and bring to a boil. Allow this to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes.
2. Add the tea leaves and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer on medium for 5 minutes. Add the half and half and the sugar. Stir for about a minute, over low heat, until steaming. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a teapot or mugs.
3. Serve and enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Latte (Short Stories)

Ever the fall favorite, many rush to Starbucks as soon as the season starts to get the long-awaited pumpkin spice latte. But why pay for who knows how many cups this year when you can make it yourself? Not only are you making it in the comfort of your own home, but you have your home library of cozy books there, too. Pick a collection of short stories to read with your next pumpkin spice latte.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

(Recipe courtesy of Adam and Joanne, “The Best Pumpkin Spice Latte,” Inspired Taste, accessed October 3, 2024, https://www.inspiredtaste.net/8419/pumpkin-spice-latte-at-home-recipe/.)

Ingredients

1/2 cup strong hot coffee or 2 shots espresso

2 cups milk of choice

2 tbsp pumpkin puree, or more to taste

1 tbsp sugar or maple syrup, or more to taste

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, plus more for serving

Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Add milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar to saucepan over medium heat. Slowly heat the milk until hot, but do not boil.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and the coffee or espresso. Taste and adjust with more sugar or spices.
3. Serve and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Apple Pizza (Children’s/Fairy Tales)

While not commonly known, apple pizzas are a quick and easy treat that can become a fun recipe the whole family can enjoy making. These little bite-size snacks offer fall favorite flavors of apple and cinnamon and make for excellent finger food. Make these with your children and enjoy them while reading a fun children’s book or fairy tale.

Apple Pizza Recipe

(Recipe courtesy of Alicia Smock.)

Ingredients

2 tbsp flour

Dash of cinnamon

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup mild cheddar cheese (grated or shredded)

1 can refrigerator biscuits

Dab of butter or margarine (sticks work better so you can just cut thin pieces and place them on top of the biscuit)

2 apples, sliced and peeled (can also cook with skin on apple; both ways taste good)

Instructions

1. Mix flour, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. 
2. Press the biscuits onto flat surfaces and put them onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. 
3. Sprinkle the grated cheese on the biscuit. 
4. Slice the apples and put two slices on each biscuit.
5. Put the brown sugar mixture on top. 
6. Dot with the dab of butter and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. 
7. Let cool, and enjoy!

Chili (Romance)

When one thinks of cold weather, chili is typically a go-to food. The warmth you feel inside with each bite sets you at ease and warms your soul on those brisk fall evenings. Getting all warm and fuzzy inside brings to mind romance, so while waiting for your chili to cook, get lost in a cozy romance book to set the warm fuzzy feeling mood, then enjoy your chili once it has finished cooking to feel even more warm and fuzzy inside.

Chili Recipe

(Recipe courtesy of Susan Smock.)

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion

1 large can of crushed tomatoes

1 large can mild chili beans (or hot)

Chili powder, salt, pepper, garlic

1 jar of Ortega salsa

Instructions

1. Brown meat with chopped onion.
2. Mix everything in a crock pot. Seasoning is a matter of taste, so add in per your taste, but don’t skimp on the chili powder to give it flavor.
3. Cook on low heat all day (about 6-8 hours on low). Stir throughout the day (roughly about every hour) so nothing sticks.
4. Serve and enjoy! Pairs well with shredded cheddar cheese or Doritos sprinkled on top and a side of warm corn muffins.

Grandma’s Apple Pie (Self-Help)

“Pie, pie, me oh my, I love pie.” Fall is the season of pie. Pumpkin, blueberry, apple, cherry, or whatever pie you love is normally enjoyed this time of year. This tasty dessert has a way of making you feel good even on days when things just aren’t going right. Looking for encouragement? Find a good self-help book that will inspire you to go after your dreams or an encouraging book that reminds you all will be well. Be sure to enjoy that slice of pie as you read.

Apple Pie Recipe

(Recipe courtesy of Therese Smock. With love, thank you for sharing this recipe.)

Ingredients

4 cups of apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp or another red apple of choice)

3/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup lard or shortening (organic Lard tastes better)

3 cups flour (2 cups for 1 crust)

1 ½ tsp salt

1 egg (beaten)

1 tbsp vinegar

1/3 cup really cold water

Start with Apple Mixture

1. Cut apples into cubes and place in a large bowl (peeled or unpeeled).
2. Add in white sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Mix and set aside.

Crust

Set aside some ice water in a small bowl and place your 1/3 measuring cup in it to get real cold.

1. Mix flour, salt, and lard. Work it together into small crumbs.
2. Mix beaten egg into crust.
3. Combine 1 tablespoon of vinegar with 1/3 cup of really cold water (from the ice water bowl) and mix into the crust in small amounts.
4. Knead dough with your hands to form a ball.
5. Cut dough in half.
6. Sprinkle flour on the surface and your rolling pin (repeat this as many times as you need so it doesn’t stick).
7. Roll the dough out to fit your pie pan.
8. Wrap the dough around your rolling pin (this makes it easier to carry) and unroll onto your pie pan.
9. Press dough to fit the pie pan and fill with apple mixture.
10.  Place dabs of butter on the apples and set aside.
11. Roll out the other half of the dough and place it on top of the pie.
12. Cut some lines on top to let air out while baking (around 4 slices).
13. Sprinkle some sugar on top if you want or decorate with fun shapes of leftover dough pieces.
14. Bake at 410 degrees for 45–50 minutes (425 degrees for some ovens. Keep an eye on it).
15. The pie is ready when the crust is light brown.

(Quote from Michael, directed by Nora Ephron, 1996; Burbank, CA: New Line Cinema, 1997, DVD.)

Have you tried any of these recipes? Tell us what you think! Or share some fall favorite recipes you enjoy making and cozy books you like to read during this beautiful season.