We might not have major temperature drops and leaves falling here in LA, but the transition into fall is one of my favorite times of year. The weather is cooler and I get to lift my favorite fall wardrobe staples from the back of my closet and my go-to recipes from the archives. I always crave a bit more warmth and [pumpkin] spice as the weather cools down, so I love to introduce that with what I’m eating.

Here are 7 of my favorite fall recipes:

1. Minestrone Soup: What’s better than a hearty bowl of soup on a chilly night? Not much! This recipe is incredibly simple, it’s great to whip up when you get home from work and don’t feel like being in the kitchen for hours.

2. Ina’s Simple Herbed Salmon: This salmon recipe is one of my all-time faves. Adopted from the wonderful Ina Garten, it’s seriously flavorful and really healthy. The dill and parsley combine for the perfect fall salmon dish. Get the recipe right this way.

3. The Autumn Apple Fizz: This recipe is a celebration of all things fall – the new crop of apples is filling up the markets and making their way into this delicious cocktail. Cheers!

4. Crispy Smashed Potatoes: Warning: These potatoes are incredibly addicting. I made them in the LEAF test kitchen and they were gone in minutes. They’re comforting (just like I want my fall food to be!) and a great side dish for nearly any protein. Get the recipe here.

5. Mustard Baked Chicken: I happen to love a nice crunchy crust on my chicken, but try to avoid most fried foods. The solution? Baked chicken! I swear it’s just as good, minus the guilt. This recipe is literally 4 ingredients and 30 minutes of your time.

6. Homemade Chai Tea: I can’t stress enough how much I love making chai tea at home. Why? It not only fills my home with the most delicious scent, but it eliminates all of the added sugars that a lot of store-bought chai’s include. This is my favorite way to whip it up.

7. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Did you know how easy it is to make roasted pumpkin seeds from scratch? Let me tell you… incredibly easy and so much healthier (no sodium!). I love to keep these out as a nosh when I have company coming over. Learn how to make them right here.

What are some of your favorite fall recipes? Dish in the comments below!