Friday Food Finds: Pink Cranberry Juice, Doughnut Protein Bars, Apple Cider Tea, and More!

I saw my first jack-o-lantern on the way to work this morning and wanted to throw up. While fall is my favorite season, the thought of pumpkin-themed anything in September is Ugg-wearing sorority girl levels of basic. And I’m just not ready for it. In protest, I brought a bevy of goodies to The Taylor Strecker Show that are delicious year-round (with the exception of one drink). Per usual, we sampled with Naughty Gossip‘s Rob Shuter, gave our honest feedback, and rounded up our final thoughts below. Enjoy!

Ocean Spray Pink Cranberry Juice

I had the luxury of traveling to Massachusetts to check out one of Ocean Spray’s cranberry bogs and this new juice is legit. If you’re a fan of cranberry‘s flavor profile, but not a fan of its tartness, this special pink batch strikes a happy medium. Taylor and Rob raved about it, as well as the company’s decision to donate a part of their proceeds to breast cancer research. Vodka cranberries for a cause? I’ll drink to that.

Cape Cod Pink Himalayan Salt and Red Wine Vinegar Potato Chips

Salt and vinegar chips get an upgrade with another product that’s giving back. We already know that Cape Cod reigns supreme when it comes to chips, but these are next-level good. In fact, Taylor demanded that I surrender the bag before leaving and I’m now crying at my desk and regretting this decision.

Seven-Layer Dip Pringles

Oh, Pringles. Just when we think you can’t possibly come up with another delicious flavor iteration, you more than deliver. This chip tastes exactly like seven-layer dip! The recipe developers were also brilliant enough to utilize corn flour as its base to imitate a tortilla. But what would happen if you used one of these chips to dip into seven-layer dip? So meta.

Annie’s Gluten-Free Cheddar Bunny Tails

These are just okay. As a gluten-free alternative to mainstream crackers like Cheez-Its and Goldfish, they certainly hold their own, but are we going to go out of our way to incorporate these into our daily snacking rituals? Probably not. They sure are adorable and perfect for kids, though.

TruWomen Protein Bars

Sound the alarms. We may have found a protein bar that we actually like! Firstly, the packaging is beyond adorable…and also hunger-inducing with flavors like Daydreaming About Donuts and Zamn Good Zesty Lemon. While we’re not huge fans of the sugar content, these bars—which taste like they’re iced in frosting—pack a protein punch at 12 grams and are completely plant-derived. Yum!

Just Cookie Dough

Your dreams of *safely* eating cookie dough directly from the bowl have been fully realized with this delicious product from Just (the makers behind my favorite Sriracha mayo.). Frankly, the only problem is portion control. I sampled the birthday cake variety and polished off half a jar within 10 minutes. Needless to say, it was worth rescheduling my physical this morning.

Pure Leaf Tea with Cider

I enjoyed this drink immensely (what’s not to love about seasonal cider?), but Taylor and Rob had a slight aversion to its smell and super-sweet taste. Those looking for an unsweetened and bagged variety should purchase my go-to tea: Celestial Seasonings’ Cinnamon Apple Spice. But if you don’t have the nose of a bloodhound are looking to celebrate fall early, this is a completely fine option and one that would definitely taste delicious with alcohol.

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Make Fall Exciting with These Unusual Spiked Warm Drinks

First, let me officially wish you a happy fall! Since I am just about as basic as they come, I am so excited for all things autumn: cooler weather, warmer clothes, more artsy Instagram posts, and—of course—fall flavors. Apple, pumpkin, and cinnamon are coming back into season, and I, for one, am most thrilled about warm fall drinks. Ugh, what I wouldn’t do for a glass of hot apple cider or coffee with Irish cream. If you’re anything like me, you get bored with the same old flavors and you’re looking for fun new drinks to try. Well, look no further. Here are some unusual ways to spike your warm fall drinks. Enjoy and drink responsibly!

Mounds Bar Hot Chocolate

Now, the normal way to spike a hot chocolate would be with some Irish cream. But, normal is boring. Try this hot chocolate recipe spiked with Malibu. It’s like drinking a Mounds Bar.

Red Wine Hot Chocolate

Can’t decide between mulled wine and hot chocolate? Have both! This recipe for red wine hot chocolate is an interesting yet tasty take on spiked hot chocolate. Plus, it’s wine and chocolate in one mug—what more could you possibly want?

Hot Tea with Orange Liqueur

I love the fall because I am 95-years-old and I get genuine joy out of wrapping myself in a blanket and clasping a hot cup of tea in both hands. I personally love a fruity tea, so I’m psyched to try this tea spiked with orange liqueur (among other things). Some say this recipe also gives off a subtle blueberry flavor, but we’ll just have to see for ourselves.

Salty Maple Buttered Cider

Serious Eats

Sick of the same old fall drink? Well this recipe takes all the fall drinks and flavors you could possibly think of and combines them into one super drink. Hot buttered rum? In here. Cider? In here. And don’t even get me started on how many flavors are in this drink (maple, vanilla, and apple, just to name a few). Out of everything on the list, I’m most excited to try this drink. It literally sounds like fall in a glass.

Jack Daniel’s Hot Tennessee Toddy

Unfortunately, with cooler weather comes cold season. But there’s no reason to avoid a spiked fall drink just because you’re a little under the weather. Now, a classic hot toddy is usually just a spirit, hot water, and honey. But kick your cold to the curb by adding some lemon to it like in this hot toddy recipe. This is basically hot lemonade with honey and whiskey—the stuff cold medicine is made of. Also, if I can make a recommendation, I think honey-flavored whiskey would really amplify the flavors in this drink.

Warm Woolly Sheep Cocktail

Mix That Drink

I know what you’re thinking: What the hell is a warm woolly sheep cocktail and what could it possibly have to do with fall? Just bear with me, because this drink actually sounds incredible. Remember how you were never tired as a kid and your mom would make warm milk, and that just knocked you out cold for 10 hours? This drink is the adult version of that. Warm milk is spiked with Drambuie for a honey flavor and scotch for that cozy and sleepy feeling that comes with the fall. Not to mention, it sounds delicious.

Spiked White Mint Hot Chocolate

If there are three things in this world that I love, it’s white chocolate, mint hot chocolate, and alcohol. Luckily, this seasonal drink contains a healthy dose of all three! Make sure you stock up on peppermint candies and whipped cream for a garnish!

Italian Coffee

Leave the Bailey’s behind and opt instead to spike your coffee with Strega, a strong Italian liqueur referred to by some as “the witches’ liqueur.” Perfect for Halloween, this spookily-strong coffee  tastes great topped off with whipped cream and nutmeg.

Mulled Wine Margarita

You may be thinking that mulled wine is already alcoholic and doesn’t need to be spiked, but don’t think negative thoughts like that. There’s no such thing as a drink that doesn’t need to be spiked, and tequila has never made anything taste worse. With this mulled wine margarita recipe, you can enjoy the warmth and fall flavors of a mulled wine with even more booze. Don’t forget the salt on the rim!

Maple Apple Cider

A Beautiful Mess

Flavored liquor will be your best friend in terms of experimenting with spiking your drinks. To add an extra flavor to your favorite hot apple cider, try spiking it with maple-flavored whiskey like in this recipe. The flavor of the liquor will be complemented by the sweetness of the maple, and your drink will be all the better for it.

Hot Absinthe Tea

Yup, you read that right. The last spiked drink on the list gives a whole new meaning to “spiked.” This is straight up tea with absinthe (number 10 on the link’s list). Cranberry, cinnamon, and honey flavors give the tea a fall vibe, and the absinthe gives it a certain special kick.

Related Video: German Mulled Wine

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Ingenious Ways to Lighten Up Heavy Fall Dishes without Losing Flavor

Eventually, the chill in the air is going to lure you to eat more rich food and then regret it later. But you can have those creamy, meaty, carb-laden dishes with no side effects if you simply find slightly healthier versions of your favorites. So many of our much-loved fall dishes are loaded with butter and cream and sugar and everything good in the world. But sometimes, these dishes can be just as creamy and flavorful with lighter ingredients substituted in the recipes.

1. Easy Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Chowhound

Pork tenderloin is such a lean, yet tender meat, and the fall pears and figs provide a sweet complement to our beloved other white meat. Get our Easy Roasted Pork Tenderloin recipe.

2. Roasted Spaghetti Squash

Chowhound

Inspired by classic cacio e pepe, here’s a lower carb version of the simple pasta dish using noodles made from spaghetti squash. The cooked strands are tossed with a simple sauce of minced garlic and shallots warmed in olive oil, black pepper, and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Get our Roasted Spaghetti Squash recipe.

3. White Chicken Chili

Chowhound

This chicken chili is a little lighter than traditional beef and kidney bean chili. Smashing some of the cannellini beans thickens the broth, and a squeeze of lime juice at the end balances the richness and heat with a bright kick. Get our White Chicken Chili recipe.

4. Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese

Cooking Light

By pureeing cooked butternut squash into the sauce, the dish keeps its rich cheesy mouthfeel and depth of flavor, but skips all the cream of a béchamel. This recipe also uses three different strong cheeses so the flavor still pops but with less cheese overall. Best part, it sneaks in an extra vegetable to a warm and comforting winter meal. Get the recipe here.

5. Jalapeno Cilantro Yogurt Spread

Chowhound

Football season means snacks on snacks. That usually means chips and dip will be spread over a table like a cornucopia of temptation. Skip the cream cheese blue cheese dips for a game or two and switch it out with one of our favorite lightening ingredients – fat-free greek yogurt! It keeps the dip thick and adds a tangy note to your favorite game-day go-tos. Get our Jalapeño Cilantro Yogurt Spread recipe.

6. Cheesecake with Whipped Cottage Cheese

Parsley Sage Sweet

Cottage cheese has a bad rap out there as a diet food eaten with pineapple by sad women, but trust us – it is one of the most versatile ingredients in the substitution arsenal. By pureeing or whipping it into a smooth texture, it’s mild flavor enables it to blend into a myriad of dishes – from dips to gratins to this ethereal cheesecake recipe with less than half the calories of one from that… ahem…factory. Get the recipe here.

7. Zucchini Lasagna

Oh Sweet Basil

Summer (or fall) squash make an easy alternative to noodles in this recipe, but feel free to try it on your favorite family lasagna recipe as well. To combine a few of the tips in this list, use some whipped cottage cheese with garlic and basil in place of the ricotta and mozzarella for a high protein and low fat substitution. Even better, make two and bring one to a friend! Get the recipe here.

8. Pot Pie with Sweet Potato Crust

The First Mess

Chicken or vegetable pot pie is a winter classic. It sticks to your ribs and is a one-pot wonder that reminds us of our childhoods (shout to to Marie Callender!). But by using thinly sliced sweet potatoes rather than puff pastry for a crust, you get the benefits of an extra vegetable while cutting out all the additional butter! Get the recipe here.

9. Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Topping

Wellness Mama

Another one-pot wonder loaded with ground turkey and vegetables makes this easy dish a winter winner! The typical topper of buttery mashed potatoes piled high is familiar, but mashed cauliflower subbed in means it still tastes like the same dish.  Pro-tip, few dishes freeze as well as shephards pie, so do yourself a favor and put one away for later! Get the recipe here.

10.  Hasselback Apple Crisp

Diets in Review

Apple desserts can be weighted down by copious amounts of pastry, and butter, and toppings. The fruit has plenty of sweetness on it’s own, so instead of a turnover covered in ice cream, the apples are sliced like hasselback potatoes to better caramelize, then topped with a of oatmeal streusel for a dessert that won’t derail your day. Get the recipe here.

11. Spaghetti Squash Chicken Alfredo

iFood Real

Chicken alfredo! Notoriously unhealthy, but oh so good, so this recipe employ’s two of our lighten-up suggestions – greek yogurt AND nixing the pasta for spaghetti squash. Deployed in tandem, we are suddenly able to eat chicken alfredo every night of the week! Get the recipe here.

12. Banana Applesauce Chocolate Cake

Mom on Time Out

A moist chocolate cake is what everyone wants to tuck into late at night in front of a fireplace with some sweet Netflix options cued up. By using the bananas you forgot about in the fruit bowl for a little too long and a bit of applesauce, the butter and oil normally dominating a treat like this are eliminated. So when you wake up with crumbs in your pjs, you won’t have to worry about buying bigger pjs. Get the recipe here.

13. Spiced Wine

Saveur

Hot cocoa with schnapps, buttered rum, pumpkin whipped cream something or other. All delectable choices to imbibe on a winter’s eve, but a black hole of sugar and booze. For a holiday party or a night in, try spiced wine. The recipes vary, but it’s typically warmed wine with spices and just al iittle sugar for a whole bottle. Feel the magic of fall spices without anything extra. Get the recipe here.

— Header image: Roasted Pumpkin Soup from Chowhound

— Original article by Vanessa W. Simmons on Oct. 22, 2015; updated article by Amy Sowder Sept. 15, 2016

Related video: How to Make Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Golden Potatoes

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