Wet leaves slap the windshield, leaving teardrops in their wake, smearing across the glass before spreading their wings and fluttering away. Driving through a light autumnal drizzle is strikingly more depressing than a gentle summer rain. Fog obscures the road, blurring signs and stoplights into hazy, shapeless colors. I feel like my whole head is full of damp cotton balls by the time I finally shift gears to park.
Fall is not my favorite season, but by no fault of its own. Signaling the end of summer, it’s merely the messenger, doomed to be shot every year. I shiver as I watch temperatures slowly fall, regardless of how warm it really feels. I storm angrily through piles of leaves, even if there’s only one small mound pushed together on an entire block. The truth is, there’s still a lot to love about fall, and almost all of if it is food.
Do you welcome the arrival of the autumnal equinox with open arms, or reluctant acceptance? One thing we can all appreciate is a return of cozy comfort foods with all their warming spices, hearty starches, and nostalgic aromas. There’s a handful of recipes that always set me in the right mood and remind me, in spite of my irrepressible pessimism: Hey, it turns out that autumn isn’t all bad.
Pomegranate-Poached Pear Crostini
Crusty bread supports a creamy, rich schmear of cream cheese, contrasted by the tender, sweet, and slightly tart bite of pomegranate-infused pears. Sturdy enough to withstand advanced prep and a full evening at ambient temperature, these understated yet spectacular little morsels are your ideal party guests.
Spicy Tomato and Chickpea Soup
Generous spices amp up this ordinary offering, lending a warmth that temperature can’t deliver alone. Incredibly comforting when the seasons begin to shift. Moroccan flavors were the inspiration, but only in a very loose interpretation did they emerge in the final dish. Adjust to taste, make it your own, and enjoy the invigorating armona as the soup bubbles along on the stove.
Halloween Rice
Black and orange to match the “traditional” colors of Halloween, this
dish is a touch spicy too, enhanced with a slightly devilish addition of
paprika and red pepper flakes. Toothsome wild rice makes it a stellar
sort of pilaf, but it can also be an easy, no-muss main dish as well,
thanks to the protein-packed black beans.
Easy, Meaty Chili
Contrary to my usual approach of going heavy on the vegetables, this wicked red brew is a real meat-lover’s delight, made with vegan sensibilities of course. It also happens to be the easiest, quickest chili I’ve ever slapped together, thanks to the convenience of ready-to-eat spicy Andouille-style “sausages.” Not even beans are invited to this party this time, creating a rich, ultra-meaty chili that I’d like to think would make a pure-bred Texan proud. Packing in the heat with every fiery bite, it’s impossible to feel one degree of winter chill with this fortifying stew on your side.
Sriracha Seeds
Devilishly spicy but not unbearably so, these crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds are dosed in tongue-tingling sriracha. Lightly salted and easy to munch, they were intended to be an ideal Halloween party snack, but instead are also perfectly suited to become emergency rations.
Spicy Carrot Soup
Creamy coconut milk balances out the heat in this very simple soup. If you have carrots and a well-stocked pantry, you can enjoy this naturally sweet, spicy combination in an instant.
Pumpkin Arancini
These easy, cheesy rice balls are an Italian classic, with a little seasonal twist.
Wild Mushroom Gnudi
Gnudi, best described as naked ravioli, also share similarities with gnocchi but are made with ricotta instead of potato. Simple in concept yet spectacular in execution, they're like little cheesy pillows that practically melt in your mouth. n this case, tofu ricotta easily replaces the dairy foundation, transforming this savory dish into a light, dreamy, and yet impossibly rich indulgence.
Cranberry Chili
Adding both their signature tart flavor and incredible thickening powers, cranberries pull this whole dish together, without overwhelming the palate. The combination of both beans and bulgur are sure to satisfy.
Beluga Lentil-Stuffed Delicata Squash with Cashew Raita
Infused with an aromatic blend of cumin, mustard seeds, and jalapeno, this entree is guaranteed to spice up the traditional feast. Complimenting that distinctive piquancy is a creamy cashew-based raita, replete with cooling mint leaves and crisp diced cucumber.
Roasted Rainbow Cauliflower Agrodolce
Roasted with just a touch of olive oil, salt, and pepper, cauliflower meets briny capers in this boldly colored and flavored side.
Apple Ginger Scones
Hearty, spicy, and packed full of tender apple pieces, these scones are a lightly sweetened seasonal delight.
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Warm, creamy, and comforting, bread pudding is the perfect dessert to ward off those autumn chills while celebrating the season's bounty. It's a snap to customize depending on your preference; consider the spices as a mere suggestion, and a handful of nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit never hurt anything.
Poached Persimmons
Gently simmered in pineaaple juice spiked the ginger and citrus, these dainty orange orbs are a study in elegant simplicity.
Wonderful recipes to celebrate fall, thanks. After living in Florida for so many years without a fall, I love seeing turning leaves and pumpkins here. And to celebrate the end of triple digit heat days.
Beautiful dishes and pictures:)
I do welcome fall here, although there isn’t really a fall here, and it still is really warm. But I wait eagerly for some colder weather, maybe next month…
Have a lovely week Hannah:)
Same here, that’s for sure! I’m in no rush, but it’s crazy to look at the forecast for the majority of the US, by contrast. At least it never gets all that cold in most places in Israel, right? Much like California!
Although Phoenix doesn’t have a true fall, the fact that we can open all the windows and doors to the cooler weather is a relief from the stifling heat of the summer. Soon the warmth from the oven and the wonderful smells emanating from within will fill our home. Looking forward to trying some of your beautiful and tasty dishes to celebrate the changing season.
It’s true; it feels and looks nothing like fall here in the bay area, too. October is usually our true summer with some of the hottest temperatures of the year. It was over 80 degrees today anyway! I’m still happy to start indulging in warm spices though… Even if they might come in the form of iced pumpkin lattes. ;)
Bring on the delicious comfort food of fall. What a delicious recipe round up Hannah, don’t know where to begin so guess we will just start at the top and work our way down.