Cold comfort food
We’ve been eating a LOT of jacket potatoes lately. On a dark and cold day, we head straight to the local cafe and order the classic British comfort dish, with a generous helping of cheese and baked beans. The problem is, it leaves us feeling lethargic and heavy-eyed by 3pm. And the truth is, comfort food doesn’t have to be heavy.
In winter we can get our fill without feeling lethargic after by making the most of seasonal ingredients such as sweet potato, squash and parsnip. There are a huge variety of lighter autumn recipes out there, packed with colour and nutrients to keep you going in the colder months. Take inspiration from these 15 seasonal recipes guaranteed to ensure you get your five-a-day.
Root vegetable salad
Beetroot, baby carrots, onions, parsnip and turnip come together for this salad created by food bloggers Teri Lyn Fisher and Jenny Park. It can be paired with roast meat or eaten hot or cold as a standalone salad.
Find the recipe here.
Raspberry-brie salad with puff pastry croutons
While originally designed as a summer salad by food blogger Kathy of Lemon Tree Dwelling, this salad pulls together festive foods with croutons made from pastry, rich honeyed pecans and creamy brie cheese.
Three bean salad
This super easy dish from Internet Cooking Princess mixes a variety of beans with kale, apple, and shallot. Drizzle with a blend of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
Find the recipe here.
Roasted acorn squash stuffed with quinoa
If you're heading for a weekend picnic, try this recipe of bakes squash filled with nutrient rich quinoa, sweet cranberries and apple, and topped with toasted seeds for crunch. By Dora Daily.
Fine the recipe here.
Autumn arugula salad with caramelized squash
The blogger at How Sweet It Is was inspired by the changing colours of the season when they created this vibrant mix of vegetables. The crispy squash skin and sweet pomegranate make it a flavourful treat.
Find the recipe here
Figs blue cheese & prosciutto salad
It might look less like a salad and more like a selection of ingredients thrown together, but that just means it's easier to throw together says blog From The Kitchen. Cut a few figs in half, break a few chunks of blue cheese, pick a few slices of prosciutto and throw it into a bowl of fresh lettuce leaves.
Find the recipe here.
Fruit salad with cinnamon Greek yogurt dressing
Aren't getting enough fruit in your diet? Crisp apples, sweet pears and juicy grapes combined with sweet-spiced, creamy dressing might do the trick. Don't forget to sprinkle the salad with a few chopped pecans for crunch. This autumn salad makes a great mid-morning or afternoon snack. We have to thank the folks at Kitchen Treaty to thank for that.
Find the recipe here.
Wheat berries with roasted parsnips, butternut squash & dried cranberries
Healthy whole grains are the stars in this colourful recipe by Williams-Sonoma.
Find the recipe here.
Salad with brussels sprouts and roasted squash
Struggle to eat your fair share of Brussel sprouts? This salad conveniently sneaks them. Caramelized onion brings out a lush sweetness, cubed squash provides vibrant color and the Brussels sprouts add just a touch of savory, says Kim of blog Hungry Healthy Girl.
Find the recipe here.
Quinoa, fennel and parsnip salad
Here's another quick, easy and tasty whole grain quinoa salad from award-winning food blog Local Milk. It features caramelised roasted parsnip, Brussel sprouts and shaved shallot all soaked in a simple raw honey vinaigrette. Finish off with halves of boiled egg.
Find the recipe here.
Roasted curried carrot salad
If carrot cake is anything to go by, carrot and spice are a natural pairing. Inspired by this noting, The Kitchen Kitcheny blogger Claire Thomas whipped up this inventive salad. "The curry vinaigrette cuts through the sweetness of the carrots, and the pop of raisins and crunch of pine-nuts add a little bit of texture to this warm salad," she writes.
Find the recipe here.
Polenta with winter salad and poached egg
Former chef and blogger Heather Christo adapted a polenta cookbook recipe to create this hearty salad dish with cherry tomatoes, kale and lettuce.
Find the recipe here.
Pear salad with cranberry and blueberries
If pear crumble could be a salad, we think this would be it. Rachel Matthews of blog A Southern Fairytale says it's her all time favourite salad and it only needs minutes of prep time.
Find the recipe here.
Blood orange, beetroot and fennel salad
A bright and colourful salad to bring a bit of summer into a dull day. We recommend adding feta or goat's cheese for added flavour.
Find the recipe here.
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