Autumn Recipe Round-Up

Technically there's still one week before autumn officially rolls around--not to mention the weather outside is pretty convinced we're all still in summer--but fall foods are starting to make their way to our tables, and it's time to be prepared.

We talked here about the importance of staying healthy through the change in seasons, about ways to maximize your to-go lunch, about the goodness of cooking and eating organically. So now seems like the right time to offer up a whole slew of recipes to accompany those ideas--recipes that embrace the best of what autumn has to offer. As the weather turns cooler, here's a handy treasure trove of good things to eat.

Staples
You know the things you can't get through the season without... like Chicken Soup, made from scratch in just about an hour and full of hearty nourishment that keeps your health up as the cold snaps begin. Or how about a primer on Roasting a Turkey, for those who do a big autumn dinner? Or a green (and delicious) twist on Mac and Cheese that's sure to brighten up your table? Even simpler and perhaps more important--try these Roasted Root Vegetables and see if you're not reaching for this recipe a couple times a week. Or if you're tired of roasting, there's always braising, as in these Braised Leeks with Muscovado Lentils. Chili is another good autumn staple; try this Green Chili for a bit of a twist on the usual pot of spice. And one more easy dinner time staple for the fall (or any season, really)? Call it a Quiche (or a frittata if you want to make it super simple).

Salads
Most people think of salads as a summer affair, but autumn salads can be even more delicious than their fair-weather counterparts if done right. A warm Tortilla Salad is a great way to make a weeknight dinner feel like a weekend. This Warm Butternut Squash and Chickpea Salad is one our ultimate favourites and such an easy way to make a meal that lasts into the next day (pack it for your lunch!). And speaking of butternut squash, have you tried it raw in this Butternut Squash Salad before? There's probably no end to the possibilities of squash in salad, but here's one last go-to recipe: Spicy Squash Salad with Lentils and Goat Cheese. We can also take a green tack and wander down the road of kale salads, starting with this Kale Salad with Pecorino and Walnuts and carrying on blissfully to this simple Kale Salad with Mango and finally stopping in front of this Lemony Kale Salad.

Breakfast
Let's face it, fall breakfast is so hearty and good it can be dinner as well--and when you think about that, these recipes are really multi-faceted. There's Apple Pancakes, which do double duty as perfect breakfast and dessert food. And this recipe for Polenta and Kale with Poached Egg could just as easily be supper as anything else (but it makes a great start to the day). And what about some savoury breakfast muffins, like these Pumpkin and Feta Muffins? Or these tasty (and easy to pack, if you're running late) Kale and Quinoa Cakes? Not to mention the array of fall smoothies to choose from, if that's more your style. Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie anyone?

Dessert
Autumn is good for a lot of things, but it's especially good for dessert. Cinnamon, cider, apples, and pumpkin--it's time to get cooking! Maybe we should start with these Apple Cider Doughnuts? And then make our way over to this Gluten-free Fresh Pumpkin Pie. Then there's always these Honey Roasted Pears (or, let's be honest, honey roasted anything). You could also embrace cranberry season with this recipe for Cranberry Vanilla Coffee Cake before moving on to this Pear and Cranberry Crumble. Fall tastes so good!