Celebrate the changing season with the boldest flavours and best autumn dishes. A season of veritable abundance, these precious months see a sweep of changing colour throughout nature, from the leaves on the trees to the crops in the field.
Luckily for us, the natural produce on offer is some of the healthiest out there, with a variety of health benefits, cementing their status as superfoods. Here are our favourite hearty and healthy autumnal dishes that make the most of the fruit and veg on offer at this unmatched time of year.
AUBERGINE
Beloved for their deep purple hue and synonymous with hearty autumnal dishes, aubergines are great at absorbing flavours and lend themselves well to stews, salads and curries. An increasingly popular ingredient due to the rise of Middle Eastern cuisine and chef proponents such as Yotam Ottolenghi , aubergines are packed full of antioxidants and are an excellent source of fibre. Make the most of their versatility and try them baked, grilled or even barbecued.
Discover this delicious recipe for seared beef with smoky auberine and pomegranate salad.
BEETROOT
With a unique earthy flavour and wide range of nutritional benefits, beetroot is a cornerstone of autumnal cooking. As well as being a good source of iron and folate, beetroot also contains nitrates, betaine, magnesium and other antioxidants. Recently, it has been suggested that beetroot can help lower blood pressure, boost exercise performance and prevent dementia. There are many different varieties, coming all different shapes and sizes and each suited to a different style of cooking. One of our favourites is the heirloom beetroot, after roasting or boiling, simply scrape off the skin with a teaspoon to reveal the beautiful rainbow of colours beneath.
Discover this delicious recipe for grilled beef on a bed of pearl barley with heirloom beetroot.
CELERY
Celery is an excellent source of antioxidants and beneficial enzymes, and contains a range of vitamins and minerals. As well as these superfood properties, celery has a unique texture and flavour that can add depth when included in recipes. Adverse to cold climates, celery is at its best when harvested in late October, and don’t forget: celery leaves, which are full of flavour, can be used like a herb in salads or as a garnish.
Discover this delicious recipe for slow cooked beef with white beans, celery and cauliflower mash.