With summer coming to a close, fall is in full swing!

Summer and fall are both seasons that are hard not to love. We know they are most certainly our favourites. With summer coming to a close, fall is in full swing and that means it's time to get cozy. Seasonal goods are at an all-time high, and we share a few of our favourite recipes to have you enjoying all of the fall flavours all season long!

Nothing is better than a freshly picked, perfectly juicy and crisp bite of an in-season apple. We want to help you make the most of apple season with a few recipes to help you make the most of your bushels this fall.

1. Waldorf Chicken Bagel Salad Sandwich

If you're a chicken salad lover, this delicious Waldorf chicken salad recipe is a must-try. It has an added twist that takes a classic chicken salad sandwich up a notch. With a mixture of both sweet and savoury, and a dash of added fall flavours, this quick and easy recipe will be your new go-to lunch this fall. Get yourself set up in your sun filled kitchen, the autumn breeze blowing in and grab the ingredients below:

  • Country Harvest®™ 14 Grains or Country Harvest®™ Cranberry & Oat bagels
  • ½ apple, finely chopped (Pink Lady or Gala work best, or for an added sweetness go with a Honey Crisp or Golden Delicious)
  • ½ small shallot, chopped finely
  • 8 oz. poached, roasted or rotisserie chicken, torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp. mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh chives
  • 1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh tarragon
  • 2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Start by toasting a Country Harvest®™ 14 Grain bagel, or embrace the warmth and tangy taste of cranberry season with our Country Harvest®™ Cranberry & Oats bagel if you are looking for a little more fall flavour. Mix apple, fennel, shallot, chicken, mayonnaise, chives, tarragon, lemon zest and 1 tbsp. Lemon juice in a medium bowl until well combined. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Divide apple, fennel chicken mix evenly across the four bagels and enjoy!

2. Apple Cinnamon Peanut Butter grilled toast

Start your family's morning breakfast (or weekend brunch) off with delicious peanut butter cinnamon grilled toast. It's a twist on French toast and a grilled cheese that your kids can quickly eat on the way to school if you're in a rush, or you can enjoy cozied up under a blanket enjoying the smell of autumn leaves on a slower weekend morning. All you need are the following ingredients;

On a flat surface or cutting board, butter all four pieces of your Country Harvest®™ loaf, spreading a tablespoon of peanut butter evenly on each slice. Place the thinly sliced apple on top of the peanut butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and honey. Place a frying pan on the stove over medium to high heat and melt butter making sure it doesn't burn. Put your sandwich together and place on the frying pan for 3-4 minutes. Flip the sandwich and cook on the other side until it is golden and crispy. Place the warm grilled sandwich on a plate, slice in half and enjoy.

Another fall fruit that doesn't always get the attention it deserves are Cranberries. As a sour and bitter fruit that pairs phenomenally well with many savoury dishes, it somehow gets overlooked other than as a side to your Thanksgiving turkey. Here are a few of our favourite recipes highlighting cranberries with a tangy twist.

3. Cranberry Brie grilled cheese sandwich

Brie is delicious, neutral and salty cheese that pairs beautifully with fruit, especially tangy berries for a tasty combination. The cranberry brie grilled cheese is a delightful twist on a classic sandwich. All you need to make this warm and deliciously delectable sandwich as part of a weekend lunch is;

Place a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and add 1/2 of the amount of butter into the pan. Put the first two slices of Country Harvest®™ 14 Grain loaf in the frying pan and top each slice with half the brie. Use the remaining butter on the outside two slices of the bread. Spread the cranberry sauce evenly on the inside of the buttered slice before placing it on top of the brie. Press the sandwich together, and wait until it is golden brown on one side before flipping. Once the brie is melted, place it on a plate and serve.

4. Cranberry and Oat French toast Casserole 

There is nothing better than a toasty and tasty breakfast on a crisp fall morning. This is a tremendously easy Sunday prep dish that you can heat up on a Monday morning before heading out to start your day. This cranberry casserole only takes 40 minutes and can be reheated in minutes depending on your schedule.

All you need are the following;

Start by melting the butter, sugar, and syrup in a small saucepan over low to medium heat. Wait until the butter begins to bubble, ensuring it doesn't burn. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray, butter or coconut oil. Pour the melted butter mixture into the bottom of the baking dish, sprinkle half the cranberries on top of the mixture and place the slices on top. Whisk together eggs, milk creamer, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg using a medium bowl (or in a large measuring cup). Pour over the slices, sprinkle with remaining cranberries, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, remove plastic wrap and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or nut butter, and serve hot. If the weather still isn’t sure what it’s doing, you can add some vanilla Greek yogurt for a cooler breakfast option, that still tastes great!

5. Cranberry turkey, and brie bagel sandwich

We are normalizing using a bagel instead of classic sliced bread for a sandwich, because why not? If you are a huge turkey fan looking to shake up your usual turkey sandwich (or desperately trying to use up your thanksgiving leftovers), this cranberry brie bagel will excite your taste buds. All you need are the following;

Start by slicing and toasting both Country Harvest™ Cranberry & Oats Bagels. Spread cranberry sauce on the bottom half of each bagel. Top with cooked turkey breast, and place 2 slices of brie cheese on top of the turkey on both bagels. Top with baby greens, salt, pepper and the bagel tops. Slice and serve. If you prefer your cheese melted, place the turkey and brie sandwich under the oven broiler until the brie is melted. Top with bagel tops and serve. This sweet and salty fall sandwich is a perfect mix of fall flavours wrapped up in one bite.

We have never been more excited about fall and getting you back in the kitchen with a whole new palate option that the change of the seasons can bring. Get creative this fall by trying a few new recipes that your family will love and will brighten up your day. Who thought apples, cranberries and Country Harvest®™ loaves could be so versatile? Don’t worry, we know you did too!