Turning leaves, crisp mornings, evenings that are coming in a little earlier, woolly socks and wearing layers, hot chocolate – what’s not to love? While many people adore summer, there’s something exciting about the arrival of autumn and the seasonal shifts that it brings.
Not only do our wardrobes change as the temperatures drop, but it also signals a time to switch up mealtimes. Say farewell to cold salads and barbecues and wave hello to hearty stews and warming soups. Here are some of our favourite dishes to make and ingredients to cook with this autumn.
Warm autumnal salads
Salads are usually the first thing to go once the temperatures plummet. When it’s cold, grey and rainy outside, the last thing we feel like eating is some cold, crunchy leaves. Rather than thinking that salads are off limits, it’s time to reimagine them for autumn.
Cooked grains, including pearl barley, giant couscous, and quinoa make the ideal base for autumnal salads, while legumes, such as chickpeas, butter beans and black beans, add texture and protein. Swap raw veggies for roasted seasonal vegetables, like butternut squash, and take it to the next level with cheeses such as feta, grilled halloumi or a rich stilton. If you’re stuck for ideas, you can find plenty of autumn salad inspiration on BBC Good Food.
Super soups
As the weather gets cooler, a steaming bowl of soup is a surefire way to warm you up at lunchtimes. Not only is it a generally a healthy choice, soups are a stress-free option that can be whipped up on a Sunday evening ready for the week ahead. If you’re feeling in the mood for cooking, why not make a few batches of different varieties that you can freeze for later.
Some popular autumnal soups include sweet potato, chilli and coconut, a classic minestrone, and broccoli and stilton, which are all delicious served with some warm bread to dip in. Olive magazine’s round up of the best easy soup recipes are an excellent place to start if you need some ideas.
Seasonal stews
When the temperatures really do go a little lower and at weekends when you have little more time to spend in the kitchen, there’s nothing better and more autumnal than a hearty stew. Lamb, lentils, potatoes, herbs, all cooked slowly and eaten early evening (though most stews actually taste even better the next day) around a big table – this is the perfect food after a long walk in the brisk autumn winds.
Other delicious autumnal stews include beef bourguignon, while there are plenty of vegetarian stew dishes that feature a variety of legumes and grains as the stars of the show. If you don’t have a slow cooker, now’s a good time to get one to see you through the cooler months. They are especially handy for whipping up weekdays meals so they’re ready for after work and school with very little fuss.
Pie perfection
Pies are delicious comfort food, especially served with a side of buttery mash and lashings of rich gravy. Whether you go for a puff pastry top, rich shortcut or a lighter filo, there are plenty of choices of tasty fillings, including creamy mushroom, chicken, leek and bacon, and steak and ale.
Of course autumnal food isn’t just about savoury dishes. Nuts and apples are very seasonal and are a delicious combination in sweet dishes, including a classic apple pie, breakfast muffins or crumbles.
What’s your favourite autumn dish? Let us know what you love to cook by sharing your recipes with us on Instagram.
