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As the days grow shorter and colder, there is nothing like the ultimate comfort food -- chicken soup -- to keep the chills at bay. Instead of opting for the tried and true chicken noodle variety, fire up the stove with a pot of fantastic chicken soup that's brimming with lots of great vegetables and slow-cooked chicken flavor.

Diehard foodies the world over will do almost anything or travel anywhere to get inventive, delicious and memorable meals. Trying things like squid, goat meat, street-vendor tacos, and curry make their mouths water—and, if they are not careful, their waistlines expand. Staying healthy on vacation might sound like a contradiction in terms, but with planning, it's possible to enjoy your travels AND watch your weight.

Faced with at least 3 cups of freshly roasted, pureed pumpkin and looking at much more down the road, I'm asking for advice on what to do with it all. Yep, that's right. Sometimes the foodie is simply overwhelmed and it's nice to reach out for ideas when that happens.

Autumn is the perfect time to entertain outdoors -- most of the bugs are gone, the sun isn't scorching even though it's warm enough to enjoy an afternoon or evening al fresco, and there's a bounty of good things to serve for an outdoor meal. Take advantage of the opportunity before the snow flies!

Sometimes when you look in the refrigerator for something that could be lunch, you get a mix of a little of this and a little of that. It's tempting to just let those sit and make a sandwich or the like, but that can mean missing out on some really fun dishes that are born merely because you thought outside the box and put together something truly inspired with what looked like bits of food destined to be ignored.

Having finally replaced my food processor and with the weekend about to begin, I tested it out by making a super simple truffle recipe featuring some mint sandwich cookies, cream cheese, and finely grated chocolate. And no, I never had to touch the stove or microwave. A no-heat truffle recipe? Too good to be true? Check it out and you can help guarantee a sweet weekend, too!

As cool days become the norm, it's time to think about tea as more than that delicious beverage in your cup. It's also a fantastic flavor enhancer in the kitchen! Get a trio of fantastic recipes that will have you delighting in the versatility of tea.

The end of the gardening season brings with it a rush of fresh fruits and vegetables that want to be used before they go bad. That means a lot of preserving, but also lots of fresh foods to be enjoyed while they can. So I leave you for the week with a fun, spicy appetizer (or light meal) that takes advantage of tomatillos, jalapeño peppers, greens, and onions.

As days grow colder and morning walks are greeted with showers of falling leaves, nothing hits the spot quite like a bowl of soup. So that's what's on the menu today, in spades. My ultimate autumn menu involves a bowl of creamy potato-leek soup that's been sprinkled with grated sharp cheese and crumbled bacon with a bit of crusty bread alongside. Add a glass of chilled white wine and I'm welcome fall with open arms.

Fall bring pumpkin this and pumpkin spice that and, you know what? I adore it. What's not to love about something like rich pumpkin cheesecake that blends the flavors of cheesecake and pumpkin pie with a crust that's infused with the best of pumpkin spice? Yeah, I couldn't think of anything, either. Then add some crunchy pecans and velvety caramel-rum sauce and you've got a perfect fall dessert.