As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like cozying up at home with delicious fall recipes. Here are three comforting dishes that not only capture the essence of the season but also use simple ingredients and straightforward instructions for your convenience:
1. Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients:
1 medium-sized butternut squash
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Ground nutmeg for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the butternut squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and place the halves on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast for 45 minutes or until tender.
While the squash is roasting, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and apple. Sauté until they become tender and fragrant.
Once the butternut squash is done roasting, scoop out the flesh and add it to the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Pour in the broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the soup until smooth. Return it to the pot, add the heavy cream if desired, and stir until well combined.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of ground nutmeg.
2. Classic Beef Stew
Ingredients:
1.5 pounds (680g) stew beef, cut into chunks
4 carrots, peeled and sliced
4 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and brown it on all sides.
Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, add chopped onions and garlic, and sauté until they become fragrant.
Add tomato paste and stir for a minute.
Return the beef to the pot, add the carrots, potatoes, thyme, salt, pepper, and beef broth.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2-3 hours until the meat is tender and the stew is thickened.
3. Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
1 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then add them to the pumpkin mixture. Mix well.
Gradually add the evaporated milk and stir until everything is well combined.
Pour the pumpkin mixture into the pie crust.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for 40-50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
Allow the pie to cool before serving. You can garnish it with whipped cream if desired.
These simple and delicious fall recipes are perfect for enjoying the flavors of the season without spending hours in the kitchen. Happy cooking!