Warm Feast: Delicious Autumn/Winter Food Trends and Recipes for Individuals and Families

Crisp air signifies autumn’s arrival. Embrace the season with comforting, nutrient-packed fare for you and your loved ones. This fall feast guide spotlights tasty trends along with recipes celebrating autumn’s bounty. 

Pumpkin Power

Pumpkin’s versatility makes it a quintessential fall ingredient. Blend pumpkin puree into smoothies, overnight oats, pancakes, muffins, and protein bars for a nutrition boost. Stir into coffee drinks for a creamy, low-calorie choice over sugary creamers. Pumpkin’s beta-carotene, vitamin C and fiber support immunity as winter nears. 

Warming Spices

Evocative autumn spices add flair and wellness benefits to your cooking. Cinnamon lends its distinctive flavor and antioxidant power to baked goods, stir fries, hot cereals, coffee, and tea. Ginger’s zing enhances stir fries, smoothies, dressings, and warm beverages while easing digestion. Nutmeg brings sweetness to sweets like pumpkin pie. 

Cozy Soups and Stews  

Forget cool salads – it’s soup season. Simmer flavorful broths filled with autumn veggies, beans, grains, and lean proteins. Try our easy recipe for hearty Minestrone Soup with Pumpkin and Kale: 

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, diced 

2 carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1 zucchini, quartered and sliced  

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 can diced tomatoes 

1 cup pumpkin puree

4 cups vegetable broth

1 cup kale, chopped

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery 5 minutes until softened.

2. Add zucchini and garlic and cook 2 more minutes.  

3. Add beans, chickpeas, tomatoes, pumpkin puree, and broth. Raise heat and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  

5. Add kale and stir until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.

6. Season with oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.

7. Serve with crusty bread. Makes 6 servings. 

Rise of Plant-Based Proteins  

For sustainable, health-promoting protein sources, look no further than plants. Swap meat for plant-based alternatives like beans, lentils, tempeh, edamame, and tofu. Pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, nuts and nut butters also pack a protein punch. Blend plant proteins into dips, soups, and stews for delicious versatility.

Festive Baked Apples   

Rustic baked apples bursting with fall flavors make a fun family dessert. Our easy recipe combines cinnamon-spiced apples with a crunchy streusel topping.  

Ingredients:  

4 baking apples, cored with bottom intact

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 cup old-fashioned oats

2 tbsp chopped pecans or walnuts

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp melted butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place apples in baking dish. 

2. In small bowl, mix 2 tbsp brown sugar with cinnamon and divide evenly, spooning into apple cavities.

3. In another small bowl, combine oats, pecans, 1 tbsp brown sugar and melted butter. Mix into crumbly streusel.  

4. Sprinkle streusel over apples. 

5. Bake 35-45 minutes until apples soften and streusel browns.

6. Serve with vanilla ice cream if desired. Makes 4 servings.

Festive, Fresh Salads

Don’t forgo freshness this fall. Liven up salads with seasonal fruits and veggies like apples, pears, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, pomegranate seeds and cranberries. Toss baby kale and crisp apples with lemon vinaigrette and goat cheese. Roast squash and Brussels sprouts to add warm contrast to mixed greens. Festive flavors dress up healthy salads. 

Autumn brings bounty begging to be savored. Incorporate seasonal delights into your routines through nourishing recipes you and your household will cherish. Relish fall’s freshest flavors while honoring generations of tradition.

Check out these Kitchen favorites to make your cooking experience seamless!!