Apple Season Is Here🍎

September 14, 2025

It’s been almost a month since I last wrote, but I haven’t stopped cooking. Life has picked up in the best ways possible: new friends, exciting projects, meeting my friends’ babies, family time, and completing my first (Hyrox) race with H. I’m so thankful for this season and for all the light my circle brings me. The next few weeks will be just as full. This week, I’m heading to celebrate one of my college best friend’s weddings and then meeting another best friend’s baby. Amid the chaos in the world, I hold tight to this beautiful moments✨.

In my last post, I was enjoying the final peaches of summer🍑. Now, fall—my favorite season—is here, and I couldn’t be more excited. Trader Joe’s seasonal finds, apple and pumpkin recipes, fall colors, crisp air… I’m here for all of it🍂. I’ve already started testing cozy fall recipes and can’t wait to share more. H and I are hosting my high school friend’s Friendsgiving this year🦃, so plenty of recipe testing lies ahead. And… I’ve already got Christmas cookies on my mind.

To kick things off this fall season, here are some apple recipes🍎:

Recipes Made So Far This Year:

Goal: To try seven new recipes each week 🗓️, aiming for 365 this year!

Number of Recipes Made This Week: 21

Number of New Recipes Tested as of 8/17: 467

Weeks Achieving Seven or More New Recipes: 33 out of 33 ✅

This Week’s Recipe Test Summary

Impress Someone🌟

Nothing this week.

Would Make Again 👍

Easy Sesame Noodles – Go-To Dinners by Ina Garten 🍜🥢
If you’ve had Din Tai Fung’s sesame noodles…these are right up that alley. The best part? You probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry. H and I cleaned our plates.

Classic Apple and Blue Cheese Salad – unknown magazine clipping 🍏🧀🥗
I made this one with my mom, who pulled it from her recipe clippings. It’s a hidden gem—super simple, refreshing, and packed with flavor.

Baked Manicotti – America’s Test Kitchen 🍝🧀
I made this with my younger cousin, who loved it so much she took the whole tray home. Her brothers approved too. Comforting, cheesy, and perfect for a potluck.

Broiled Maple-Soy Glazed Salmon Fillets with Toasted Sesame Seed – America’s Test Kitchen 🐟🍁
No marinating required! This salmon is ready in 15–20 minutes. The sweet glaze drips onto the rice, making the whole meal delicious.

Baked Mostaccioli – NY Times Cooking by Dan Pelosi 🍝🧀
Another great potluck dish. I made a smaller portion here, but I’m a big fan of baked pastas and this one hit the spot.

Decadent Frothy Cinnamon Vanilla Milk Tea – Brewed Leaf Love ☕✨
I’m always chasing tea recipes that feel café-worthy, and this one delivers.

Easy Raspberry Cake – Also the Crumbs, Please! 🍰🍓
A perfect breakfast cake to enjoy with tea or coffee. Not overly sweet—the tart raspberries keep it just right.

Would Not Make Again 👎

These didn’t hit the mark for me, but recipe testing is super subjective. Some were just okay, some were good but not memorable, and a few I didn’t enjoy at all. Rather than breaking each one down, I’m just listing them here.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, or any recipe requests you might have. Just respond directly to this email.

See you next week. Keep cooking! 👋 

Vale from ValeCooks

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