As the leaves burst into brilliant colors, the air gets crisper and the nights are much longer, we know it’s that time of the year! Autumn comes with its various hues and shades, gorgeous produce and a prelude to the holiday season. It’s when we like to curl up with a pumpkin spice latte and listen to good music. Fall season comes with delicious seasonal produce like pumpkins, butternut squash, sweet potato, parsnips among other fruits and vegetables.
Here are some recipes inspired by the fall season that you must try! What’s better? These recipes are gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian-friendly.
• Sweet potato & Kale Curry
Nothing is heartier than a bowl of warm curry on a chilly fall evening. This sweet potato curry mingles with the flavors of the fall perfectly and is easy to prepare at home. The ultimate comfort food served with steamed basmati rice. Start with sautéing ginger, garlic, and onions in coconut oil. Add a halved cinnamon stick, a sprig of thyme, chopped green chilies, and red curry paste. Add 1 tsp of coriander powder, curry powder, and sweet paprika. Add in the sweet potato and coat it in all the spices. Add salt, pepper to taste and pour in 200 ml of coconut milk. The coconut milk will make the curry creamier. Let it simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes. Add in a handful of peas and kale leaves and gently stir the curry. Finish the curry by adding some chopped cilantro leaves and a splash of lemon juice. Put some steamed brown basmati rice in a bowl and pour over a ladle of curry in the bowl.
• Pumpkin Pie Oats
Talk about comforting fall breakfast! This pumpkin pie oat bowl is a delicious sweet porridge made with a few simple ingredients. Cooked with homemade pumpkin puree, this recipe is gluten-free and naturally sweetened. Start with cooking some rolled oats in unsweetened almond milk. Once the oats porridge is cooking, stir in the pumpkin puree, a pinch of cinnamon powder, pumpkin spice mix, and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. After it’s completely cooked, serve with a dollop of coconut cream, and some maple glazed pecan nuts.
• Butternut squash hummus
This recipe beautifully blends in the fall ingredients in a rustic Lebanese classic-Hummus. Start with roasting some butternut squash with some coconut oil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and paprika. In a food processor, gently blitz in cooked chickpeas, 1 tablespoon of tahini, 3 cloves of garlic, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tsp of cumin, 1 whole lemon juice, and the roasted butternut squash. Once it’s done, put it in a serving tray. This hummus is best served with falafels and crudités.
• Pumpkin & Sage Risotto
Create a healthy version of this classic Italian dish with brown rice. Sauté a few garlic cloves in olive oil. Add almond milk, nutritional yeast, and vegan parmesan and keep stirring till it gets saucy. Add 1 cup of homemade pumpkin puree. Cover and cook the rice for 15-20 minutes. In a separate pan, fry a few sage leaves in olive oil. Serve the risotto in a bowl and top it with the crispy sage.
Comforting, healthy and full of fall goodness, these recipes are guaranteed to please everyone.
Rohit