As the leaves start to turn vibrant shades of red and orange and the chill of winter slowly creeps in, why not take advantage of one of fall and winter’s most underrated treats – the harvest that North America has to offer! Fresh fruits and vegetables are at their peak, bringing with them a bounty of delicious flavors ripe for the cooking. Whether you prefer a light medley of roasted vegetables or a hearty stew, there’s no shortage of unique recipes that are sure to warm the soul. Keep reading for some mouth-watering fall and winter recipes that are sure to become your family’s favorites!
1. Celebrate Fall With A Harvest of Flavor
Autumn is the perfect season to celebrate the flavors of the harvest. From a classic roast turkey dinner to simple comfort foods, there are plenty of ways to savor the delicious tastes of the season.
Start with produce that is associated with the cool weather season. Apples, pumpkins, squash, and sweet potatoes are all satisfying choices that will transport your taste buds to fall.
- Apple: Try baking a classic apple or cranberry pie, or serve sliced apples with a warm caramel dip.
- Pumpkin: Roast a few cubes of pumpkin to top off your salad or soup. For a nostalgic treat, bake your own pumpkin bread.
- Squash: For a creative side dish, roast cubes of squash with sage, garlic, and onion.
- Sweet Potatoes: Make a simple casserole with layer of mashed sweet potatoes and a buttery crumble topping.
Don’t forget about the savory flavors of fall, too. Roasting a turkey is an easy way to bring the soul of the season into your kitchen. Make a simple stuffing of onion, celery, and herbs to serve on the side. Or, if you don’t want to roast an entire bird, carve several thick slices of turkey breast and serve them with homemade gravy.
Bake pie for dessert to add a sweet finish to your meal. Use buttery crusts and fill them with apples, pears, and cranberries – all native to fall. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar for acrispy and sweet crust.
Be sure to toast the harvest with a glass of seasonal drink. Try reaching for a glass of spiced apple cider or a pumpkin-infused beer. Either way, you will be sure to enjoy the warm flavors of autumn with every sip.
2. Delicious Winter Recipes to Keep You Cozy
- Warm Carrot & Coriander Soup – Who said you can’t stay cozy when it’s cold? This recipe warms you up quickly while delivering a healthy dose of winter vegetables. Carrots, coriander, onion, garlic, stock, and cream combine to create a hearty, creamy soup that you’re certain to love.
- Tandoori Chicken & Rajma – Spice up your winter with a flavorful dish that will keep you warm and satiated. This Indian-style dish combines chicken and red kidney beans in a spicy curry topped off with some cream for a rich yet cozy finish.
- Sticky Winter Date Cake – For a sweet escape during the colder months of the year, you can’t go wrong with a sticky date and walnut cake. Mixed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for that wintery twist, this indulgent cake is perfect for shared meals around the dinner table.
- Hot Chocolate & Bacon Fries – Keep your winter cozy with an unexpected treat. Indulge in simple and delicious bacon fries that are made even better with melted chocolate. Just sprinkle in some extra marshmallows if desired.
These aren’t the only recipes you can prepare during those cold months. Here are some more favorites:
- Lasagna Soup – Soup is the ultimate winter comfort food, and cheesy lasagna soup is at the top of the list. With a hearty mix of minced beef, tomatoes, garlic, noodles, and parmesan cheese, you’ll be looking forward to those chilly evenings spent in front of the stove.
- Smoked Salmon & Avocado Salad – If you’re looking for something light and healthy, try combining these two ingredients in a salad. The smoked salmon is rich and flavorful, while the avocado adds creaminess and extra nutrients. Garnish with a light vinaigrette dressing for a perfect winter delight.
- Roasted Vegetable & Olive Panini – Another way to stay warm is to make a savory sandwich loaded with roasted veggies and black olives. Toasted sourdough bread takes this meal up a notch and adds a satisfying crunch. You can also add a generous smear of cream cheese to make it even more decadent.
- Hot Caramel Apple Pie – End the meal with a classic winter treat of warm baked apple slices with a sticky and sweet caramel glaze. Serve with some delicious ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a touch of creaminess.
No matter what your tastes, there is a winter recipe that will keep you warm, cosy, and happy. Keep these recipes in mind the next time you find yourself with a craving for something new and comforting.
3. Rounding Out the Year With North American Comfort Foods
The End of the Year Calls for Comfort Foods
As we welcome the end of the year, there is no better way to celebrate the season than to savor delicious North American comfort foods. These dishes are hearty, delicious, and are just what we need for this special time of year. Below we outline some of the best North American comfort foods you can look forward to:
- Pot Pie: Everybody loves a home cooked pot pie. Filled to the brim with vegetables, this classic comfort food-style dish is hearty and warm. The added bonus is that it doesn’t require loads of time spent in the kitchen, making it perfect for those particularly chilly evenings.
- Macaroni and Cheese: What could be better than a classic bowl of mac and cheese? This North American comfort food staple has unlimited options when it comes to presentation. You can add baked-in cheddar and bacon bits for those special occasions. Or, you can mix it up with some roasted vegetables. There is something for everyone!
- Chili: Chili is warming, comforting, and flavorful. Make it your own by adjusting the spice level to your tastes or adding a wide array of vegetables. Serve it with a side of cornbread or soft, warm tortillas and you will have the perfect meal.
- Grilled Cheese: This childhood favorite is also a delicious North American comfort food. With a plethora of cheese varieties to choose from, you can always find an exciting combination for a perfect sandwich. In fact, you can even mix breakfast and dinner together with bacon, egg, and cheese on sourdough toast.
- Shepherd’s Pie: Winter is the perfect time to dig into a steaming dish of Shepherd’s Pie. This version of a pot pie is filled with vegetables and nutty, creamy mashed potatoes on top. It is the absolute perfect comfort food for this time of year.
No matter what type of cuisine you prefer, you can’t go wrong with these North American comfort foods. Whip up a batch of any of these and you will have the perfect way to spend the holiday season!
4. Harvest-Inspired Cooking to Warm the Soul
When the cold weather comes around the corner, a certain craving for familiar, comforting flavours arises. Thinking of dishes like grandmother’s homemade applepie reminds us of the simpler things in life – strolling in the fields and crunching apples, warmth radiating from the stoved-in fireplace, and of course the wonderful smell of a pie once it is out of the oven. Recent advances in food technology made it possible to assess, store and not forget the seasonal surplus of our harvest.
Here are some simple harvest-inspired recipes to enjoy during the habit of colder months:
- Fruit and Oat Porridge – This hearty warm porridge includes the goodness of oats, the goodness of the season’s fruits like apples, pears, cranberries and raisins, all combined with low-fat milk.
- Cranberry-Glazed Salmon – Fillets of fresh salmon cooked with the sweetness of cranberry glaze and the warmth of garlic and cumin.
- Ginger-Leek Potato Bake – With just a little bit of leeks, potatoes and hard cheese, you’ll be able to bake a great dinner option in less than an hour.
- Citrus vegetable medley – An amazing side dish that utilizes a variety of vegetables found in the winter season. The combination of the various citrus fruits are a perfect marriage with the vegetables and will sure tantalize your taste buds.
These recipes will warm your soul and remind you of cozy nights by the fire. What better way to bring the season’s bounty to the table than to be inspired to make something delicious, nourishing and comforting?
Let yourself be inspired by the harvest and don’t forget to share it with your family and friends. Enjoy cooking and eating amazing harvest-inspired meals and be sure to savour the moments.
As the leaves continue to turn and chill sets in, these recipes provide a warm and cozy way to make the most of the North American harvest and celebrate fall and winter. Gather your family and friends, because the bounty of the harvest season is the perfect excuse to break bread together.
