As summer drifts into fall and nights at home become more inviting, Amador’s many undercover chefs begin to cook up their favorite autumn treats. Some of Amador’s teachers have shared their recipes and family traditions for you to recreate and enjoy that cozy feeling.
Apple Pie
Outside of being an AP English Language teacher, AV Teacher Lisa Perry has a busy schedule at home.
“Before I had children I enjoyed cooking leisurely all the time. Now I make three to four different meals for my picky family. So the one thing I do make during the fall season is Martha Stewart’s apple pie, particularly with pâte brisée pie crust,” said Perry.
While this pie requires a bit more commitment and time – 2 hours for preparation and baking, according to Martha Stewart’s website — the output is a warm meld of spices and apples baked in a pâte brisée crust, which is French for “shortcrust pastry.”
Prior to baking, combine five to six peeled and sliced apples with one cup white sugar, a half teaspoon of salt, one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and about ⅛ teaspoon each of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, pepper, and cloves, then place in the fridge to cool. After the apples cool, add a ¼ cup of flour and drain the liquid into a small saucepan and boil until thickened, then re-add to the apples. Next, prepare two premade pie crusts by rolling the dough out on a lightly floured surface into small disks until 1/8th inch thick. Now you build the pie: lay one sheet of crust into a 9-inch pie pan and pour in the apple mixture, adding the second sheet on top and pinching the sides together. Brush with an egg wash if desired, then bake for 20 minutes at 400°F and 50-60 minutes at 375°F and enjoy.
For those with a sweet tooth, foods like this one bring comfort and warmth. Baked treats remind many students of homestyle cooking and childhood favorites.
“My favorite comfort food is waffles with nutella on them,” said Noah Small (‘25).
Chicken Noodle Soup
While some enjoy sweet treats, AV Teacher Stacey Sklar enjoys a more savory meal.
“I feel like [fall] is soup weather, and I still have my grandmother’s chicken soup recipes – I really like making that. My mom used to make it, my grandmother used to make it… it’s comforting because it makes me think of all the generations of my family going back through time,” said Sklar
This recipe starts with fresh chicken breasts and a teaspoon of salt and pepper in a pot of water. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes and set aside once cooked. After cooling, tear the chicken into small pieces and set aside. To a dutch oven, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a cup of diced onions, carrots, parsnips, and celery, and two cloves of minced garlic. Saute on medium until tender, then add several cups of chicken broth and a desired amount of parsley, salt, and pepper. Re-add the chicken pieces and reduce the heat to low, letting the soup cook for about an hour and a half while covered. Cook the soup to taste, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting to keep warm while serving and enjoy.
Soups like this one and other savory treats make a great way to escape fall weather. Many students find comfort in more savory or salty foods.
“My favorite comfort food is Korean fried chicken,” said Minsung Kim (‘25).
Overall, whether you enjoy a sweeter baked treat or a hearty homemade dinner, cooking is a great way to connect with your culture and revisit childhood memories. This fall, it’s clear that comfort foods provide a sense of familiarity and warmth. Cooking brings us and our traditions together.
