Easy No-Cook Recipes for Fall

Now that summer is coming to an end (depending on where you live...in Phoenix we still have another 2 or 3 months of high temperatures!), schedules start changing to accommodate school and holiday activities. As much as we all like to plan hearty meals, we don't always have the time necessary to cook them. And let's face it...we can't have sandwiches every night. (My 6 year old begs to differ, I think he might open a deli when he grows up.) I like to have some back-up recipes for those hectic days, which is every day in my house. It makes me feel better knowing I can still feed my family something decent even though I don't have the time to cook. Getting them to eat it? That may be a different story. But at least I know I did my part getting it made and put on a plate in front of them. I really like the variety these recipes offer, not only are they great for quick family meals, they are wonderful for last minute holiday events and potlucks as well.

Turkey Wraps
Looking for a way to use leftover turkey after the big Thanksgiving Dinner? These turkey wraps are quick and easy. In order to make them you will need:

Lots of thinly sliced turkey
1 Granny Smith apple, cut into matchsticks
1 ripe pear (Bosc pears work well, they are more firm), cut into thin matchsticks
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon curry powder (adjust amount to taste, curry can be overpowering to some people).
1 tablespoon minced garlic
4 (10-inch) flour tortillas
Shredded lettuce - Green or red leaf, also the Boston variety are all more healthy than Iceberg.
1 medium sweet onion, cut into long thin pieces, not diced.

Make sure tortillas are at room temperature so they fold well. Mix curry powder and garlic with Mayo and spread a decent amount of mayo on each tortilla. Layer ingredients in the middle of the tortilla, starting with lettuce. Sprinkle with some apple and pear matchsticks, then place turkey on top. Fold up the tortilla to cover the filling. Cut in half on a diagonal for easier eating.

Apple Bacon Coleslaw
This is a nice coleslaw recipe that goes well with sandwiches. Here are the ingredients:

1 (16-ounce) package shredded coleslaw mix
1 large apple, peeled and finely chopped or shredded
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
4 bacon slices, crumbled (ready to serve, you can find it in the grocery store)

In a large serving bowl, mix mayo, olive oil, mustard, lemon juice and Tabasco sauce. Add in apples and coleslaw, stirring well to coat the slaw mix. Salt and pepper to taste then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Add the bacon just prior to serving so it stays crunchy.

Holiday Jewel Salad
In the event that you get a last minute invite to a holiday party, this Holiday Jewel Salad is visually beautiful, tasty and simple to put together. You will need:

1 (16-ounce) can dark red kidney beans, drained
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds (careful with getting the seeds out, the juice stains!)
1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
1/3 cup olive oil vinaigrette

Mix beans and corn and place on serving platter. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds, cilantro, and parsley over the bean/corn mixture. Drizzle with vinaigrette.

Pantry Gazpacho
Want something a little more substantial? I found this recipe in an article a few years ago on cooking in emergencies when you may not have power or gas. It uses common pantry items. This quick gazpacho, even though cold, is a meal in itself when served with some nice bagel chips or crusty French bread. It's also low in fat and high in antioxidants!

Ingredients:
1 large can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 red onion, chopped
1 can corn, drained
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can tiny shrimp, drained
3 cups vegetable cocktail juice (like V-8)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 cup flavored croutons

Mix all ingredients, except for croutons, together in a glass bowl. For best results, cover with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Serve topped with croutons or with thick slices of French bread.

Super-Simple Pumpkin Tiramisu
And finally, nothing says autumn like pumpkins and no menu is complete without a dessert. This Bon Appetit recipe works well for both entertaining and family dinners and is one of the easiest desserts I have ever made. It gets rave reviews every time!

Ingredients:
8-ounces room temperature mascarpone cheese (you can usually find this with specialty cheeses at your local supermarket or at a local Italian market or deli)
1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
3/4 cup sugar
15-ounce can pure pumpkin
3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/4 teaspoon each cloves, cinammon, nutmeg)
1/4 cup rum (or rum flavoring if you don't want to use the alcohol)
2 packages of Ladyfingers, cut in half length-wise
2 ounces crushed amaretti cookies (found at Italian markets or delis and sometimes in supermarkets)

Whip cream and sugar until peaks form. Carefully mix in pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice and mascarpone cheese. Mix just until filling is smooth. Use 1 package of Ladyfingers to line the bottom of 9-inch springform pan with high sides. It's okay if they overlap, use them all. Drizzle half of rum or rum flavoring over the top of the Ladyfingers. Pour half of the filling mixture over the ladyfingers and spread evenly. Repeat the process with the second package of Ladyfingers, remaining rum or flavoring and the rest of the pumpkin mixture. Spread topping evenly and cover tightly with plastic and then foil. Refrigerate overnight. When it's time to serve, run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the dessert, then release the pan sides. Sprinkle with amaretti cookies before serving.

Who said good food requires hours and hours of slaving over a hot stove?! The proof is in the...tiramisu! So next time you are feeling a little pressed for time, whip out one of these babies! Your friends and family will be ultra-impressed with your great taste and your epicurial speed and agility. You'll be done so quickly you'll have both the time and energy to sit and enjoy the meal with them! I know...such a foreign concept, huh?