A blaze of fall colors and a cold snap in the air means that its time to take a trip along the back roads to view natures autumn display. Along the way succumb to temptation and stop by an orchard for delicious apple cider donuts as well as the chance to pick apples. Look for varieties that you dont usually see at the supermarket. Your overflowing basket is the perfect excuse to invite friends and family for a casual dinner party using apple dishes throughout the menu.

For the appetizer, serve tapas-style chunks of chorizo in a sauce of sun-dried tomatoes and apple cider. The entree is a simple dish of pasta and tomatoes, yet it packs a punch of flavor because the tomatoes are first roasted with olive oil, garlic, Italian Seasoning and crushed red pepper. Use some of the just-picked apples in an irresistible green salad that includes pungent blue cheese and nutty pistachios. For dessert, serve a rich cheesecake. Its the perfect party dessert because its impressive and it can be made ahead of time. This cheesecake has a hidden layer of glazed apples accented with cardamom. Or for a dessert thats a little less elaborate yet just as delicious, try an apple tart thats made with an easy puff pastry crust. Youll find that its hard to go wrong when you use the bounty of nature as the inspiration for your menu.