Really Easy Comforting Fall Soup Recipes -My favorites

Fall/Autumn is soup season! 

As the days get shorter, chillier, and damper, nothing hits the spot quite like a steaming bowl of homemade soup. It's not a laborious job, in fact it can be really easy to make homemade soup that you and your family will love!!

These are 4 of my favorite recipes (all plant-based, low fat, but filling) from my fall collection.  They are simple to make and healthy and hearty.

1. My Easiest Black Bean Soup uses canned black beans!

I love this hearty soup that is made quickly using canned black beans. It's warming and delicious and garnished with sliced avocado. Eat it over white rice and it is a meal in itself!

2. Baby Brussels Sprouts Soup in less than 20 minutes

Got a bag of frozen baby Brussels sprouts? Add it to a pot with  other veggies and enjoy this delicious fall soup. It's flavorful and satisfying. I make it in 20 minutes total using in the Instant Pot. The stovetop takes just a little longer but is quick too.

3. Asian  Soup in Just 10 Minutes

Baby bok choy, available at any supermarket, combined with a few other veggies such as mushrooms, sprouts, fresh ginger etc. makes a delicious soothing soup. Everything cooks in just minutes and is warming and comforting. Got rice noodles? Even better-

4. Creamy Red Lentil Pumpkin Soup

 Do you love the taste of pumpkin? - use freshly sliced pumpkin (or any winter squash such as butternut) or to make it really easy use  canned pumpkin puree for this yummy curried red lentil soup. The red lentils make this nourishing soup rich in protein too! 

These 4 nourishing soups can be made quickly and are filling, tasty, and satisfying. Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and many soups can even be frozen for another time!! 

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I hope you will love these easy recipes as much as we do and maybe even make one of them for Thanksgiving!! 

My Soups Cookbook

Did you know that I published a soups cookbook with over 80 interesting soup recipes and lots of inspirational quotes that inspire healthier eating? My plant-based soups cookbook is available on Amazon and has gotten some really good reviews!  I'm really proud of it, so click on the link and "look inside" on Amazon where you can take a peek at the list of recipes. 

My Cookbook Makes a Great Inexpensive Gift 

It makes a great gift especially for an Instant Pot lovers, as a hostess gift, or stocking stuffer for anyone who wants quick ways to prepare healthy plant-based soups. My recipes use easy to find ingredients and are easy to make on the stove top or in the Instant Pot. 🍯🍠🥔🪴(and no one says that you can't throw in some animal protein if that what you want. 

Take a "look inside" on Amazon:  plant-based soups cookbook

What is your favorite kind of soup? How often do you eat soup in the fall and winter?   Do you make homemade soup or eat it out? 

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for Amazon and receive a small compensation if you follow a link from my blog and make a qualified purchase on Amazon.

Vegan "Cheese" Sauce- Makes Vegetables Taste Special

Sometimes a simple healthy vegetable side dish needs a little something extra to perk it up and make it more interesting. Sautéed broccoli is delicious on its own, but I often like to dress it up with a creamy, flavorful vegan "cheese" sauce that I make.

I save jars and fill it with the sauce that lasts for about 4 days.

Quick and Easy Quinoa Salad With Scallions, mushrooms, and Pine Nuts

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  Are you looking for a healthy side dish that's easy to make, tastes delicious, and doesn't require a lot of time in the kitchen? I think you'll enjoy this simple quinoa recipe!
  

IN MY KITCHEN- November 2026

I'm back in Florida, back in my Florida kitchen, and ready to share what's happening! After being away for 5 months, it's always fun to get settled back in and re-discover my own kitchen. 

Since it's the beginning of the month, it's also time for Sherry from Sherry's Picking monthly In My Kitchen blog share which I'm joining.

Florida has been very hot and humid. I have not been doing any real cooking. Instead I've been focusing on salads and light eating. The other day, we participated in a pot-luck dinner and I made a delicious quinoa salad with scallions, lemon, pine nuts, and slivered almonds. 

Quinoa with scallions, pine nuts, and sliced almonds

This recipe came out really good and leftovers tasted even better the next day directly from the fridge. I'll post the recipe in another post. 

You may remember that we have a flower truck that stops by our complex in Florida every Friday. The flowers are brought straight from the airport that morning and sell for $20 for 2 dozen gorgeous roses. I kept half of the two dozen, and gave the other half to my neighbor for her 82nd birthday!!

Since we do a lot of entertaining, I picked up some pretty cocktail napkins at Home Goods this week that I will use for company over the next winter months. 

Also while in Home Goods, I picked up this salad bowl and servers. It will be perfect for when I need to bring my pot luck dish to friend's home without worrying about breaking my glass bowls. 

I was surprised that the Christmas and Hanukkah displays were already out in Home Goods! I loved these colorful candles that I'll use for Hannukah!

Olives are a staple in our kitchen, so I'm starting with a large jar to begin the season. 

I took a run to Aldi for some chocolate. The sea salt with caramel chips are my favorite; my husband likes the plain or creme filled varieties. 

I found these dried baby bananas from Trader Joe's in our closet left from last season. The expiration date is still good, so we will be opening them soon. 

I made these Halloween vegan stuffed peppers in my Pennsylvania kitchen before we left for Florida.

My husband picked up this coconut milk at Costco... I don't usually use it but I do have some recipes I could try with it ... a case of 4 was on sale for only $7.99!!

That's it. Hope everyone has a great week! 

Italian Escarole And White Bean Soup-

Warm up on a chilly fall evening with Italian escarole white bean soup. This simple, hearty soup is perfect for cozy autumn dinners and for enjoying on Halloween night.

Squirrels Do The Darndest Things

Is anyone old enough to remember the TV show, Kids Do the Darndest Things with Art Linkletter from the 1950's and 1960's? Well, I’m beginning to think there should be a show called Squirrels Do the Darndest Things! Those little critters never cease to amaze me!

I was walking down the street the last week, when I noticed that my neighbor had placed two big pumpkins by her mailbox. And wouldn't you know it? There was a squirrel sitting right on top of one of them!

I thought it was adorable, so I slowly approached, hoping to snap a photo. I got a few distance shots with my phone, but as soon as I got too close, off he scampered!

When I walked closer, though, I discovered what he had really been up to. The squirrel had gnawed a HUGE hole in one pumpkin and was already working on the second one. So much for just sitting there looking cute!

Pumpkin #1

Pumpkin #2

I already knew squirrels were little bandits when it came to birdseed. No matter how much we try to feed the birds, the squirrels always seem to attack it first and finish it. 

But big pumpkins? I never imagined those would be on their menu too. I was curious how they were able to eat it???

Apparently, nothing is safe from these furry little troublemakers!

My friend Vicki had been telling me that squirrels were attacking her little pumpkins that she put on her patio, and now I've seen their damage firsthand in my neighborhood too. 

Who knew that decorating for Halloween could turn into an all-you-can-eat buffet for the neighborhood squirrels? 🎃🐿️

Do you remember my previous post about the squirrel grabbing the corn on the cob from the neighboring farm field: Squirrel Post Here 

Last week we were visiting my son in Westchester, New York, and I spotted a rather large black squirrel. I thought it was very unusual. In my neighborhood all the squirrels are gray. 

Have you ever seen black squirrels? What are your experiences with squirrels? 

Halloween Jack -O'- Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers

Looking for a fun and festive dinner idea for Halloween? These Halloween Jack-O'-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers are just the thing! Turn ordinary bell peppers into adorable little jack-o'-lanterns by carving funny faces into them and filling them with a delicious stuffing. 

I saw this clever idea with a different recipe on a wonderful blog called Carol On The Lake.  I thought it was so cute that I could not wait to try it and share my version. Thanks Carol.

My Directions: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

Wash and dry your peppers. Using a sharp pairing knife, cut off the lids, clean out the pepper, and cut out the triangle eyes. Place the peppers in a wide pyrex pan with 1/2 -3/4 cup of water or just enough to steam the peppers without boiling them or burning them. Cover the pyrex and bake for about 25- 30 minutes or until the peppers are on the soft but not mushy. Check after 20 minutes.

Instead of Carol's meat filling for the stuffed peppers, I made

a filling that is vegan and gluten-free for me. 

Tex Mex Plant-Based Filling

Ingredients

1 cup of chopped onions

1 cup of chopped bell peppers

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 can of black beans, drained 

1.5 cups of cooked rice (of your choice)

1 cup of salsa

1 teaspoon of cumin powder 

1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder 

1/2 teaspoon of salt

Optional: some like it hot- add hot sauce! 

Directions:

Saute onions, bell peppers, and garlic on a low heat in a large rimmed skillet until they are soft-stirring often. Add black beans, cooked rice, salsa, and seasonings. Cook on medium for another 5 minutes until filling is hot.

Add the filling to the softend peppers and serve. 

My Pyrex pan for steaming the peppers in a little water in the oven covered.  Check frequently to make sure you take out the peppers when firm enough to stuff. 

These easy Halloween stuffed peppers are a creative way to bring a little Halloween or fall spirit to the dinner table. They're perfect for a family dinner before heading out to trick-or-treat, or for serving when you want something a little different during the Halloween or fall season. With their silly faces and tasty filling, these edible jack-o'-lanterns are sure to bring some smiles to the table!

We really enjoyed these stuffed peppers; they were very filling and tasty. Since the bell peppers were large, I only made three- which was enough for the two of us ! We each had one and a half. 

Don't Forget to Visit Carol's Blog

For the full original meat recipe and directions, visit Carol's Blog at  Carol On The Lake.  You may even be interested in some of her other posts.  I visit her weekly.

Don't want to cook the peppers?

 They could also be used uncooked to hold carrot sticks or celery sticks for crudités at a party!!!

Halloween Fun In My Neighborhood -2026

I've noticed that every year, my neighbors really get more and more into the fun and spirit of Halloween.

I took a walk around the neighborhood and I was amazed with all their decorating. 

From BOO-tiful displays to pumpkins and all sorts of spooky surprises, the front yards have been transformed into a Halloween wonderland.

4 Ingredient Quinoa Bagels - Easy and Gluten-Free

Have you seen this easy four-ingredient quinoa bagel recipe that has been all over the Internet, Instagram and Pinterest?

Quick Pickled Red Cabbage And Red Onions- An Easy Condiment To Perk Up Salads And Sandwiches

This is a simple recipe for quick pickled red cabbage and pickled red onions that is sure to add a healthy boost and some crunchy tangy zest to your sandwiches, salads, and Buddha bowls. I'm all for quick and easy.

Cinnamon Apple Baby Honeynut Squash -A Fall Delight

It's officially fall! So it's out with the zucchini and in with the winter squash!

This cinnamon apple honeynut squash recipe is an easy and delicious way to enjoy these sweet little winter "honeynut squashes" that are now seasonally available in supermarkets and farmer's markets.

Autopay — Easy To Get In But Hard To Get Out

Beware of ordering online and using Autopay!! It's easy to get in but hard to get out!!

Advertisements on Instagram, Facebook, and even pop-ups are designed to grab our attention. If you start reading and then click on “Learn More,” you can easily find yourself pulled into a long, convincing, interesting, high-pressure sales pitch.

I know because I got sucked in—and I can tell you once you are in, it's hard to get out!!!!