After the salads in the summer and the ice creams for dessert, the changing weather calls for new recipes. Autumn dishes taste good and help you forget about the bad weather. Which ingredients are suitable for making something tasty in the mid-season?
Sweet potato
This South American delicacy is also called a sweet potato or a yam. In North America, this orange potato is traditionally eaten at Thanksgiving, but you can also see them appear more and more on vegetable racks in Belgium and the Netherlands. Do not be put off by the irregular shape or color. It is a very easy ingredient with a soft taste and many possibilities.
Oven dish with sweet potatoes and carrot
For about four people you need:
- 400g minced meat
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 8 small regular potatoes
- 4 medium carrots
- milk
- grated cheese
- spices to taste
Peel the carrots and cut them into fine slices. Peel and boil the potatoes as well, the sweet potato can be cooked as usual. Make sure the carrots are not too flat after cooking. Fry the minced meat in a pan but do not add too much butter so that it does not become too greasy. Cover the bottom of an oven dish with the minced meat. Place the boiled carrots on top so that you can no longer see the minced meat. Now crush the potatoes with a dash of milk through it. Those who like to have a piece can make the potatoes finer with a normal crusher, but mixing is also possible. Those who want can add butter or herbs to taste. The potatoes will now turn a nice orange color and taste a bit sweeter. Cover the carrots with the mashed potatoes and finish with the grated cheese. Place the dish under the grill for about 20 minutes. Tasty!
You can also make a tasty stoemp with these ingredients. Replace the minced meat with diced bacon and cut the carrots into cubes. Those who like to wash less can cook the potatoes with the carrots. Fry the bacon cubes (about 400g for four persons) and mix them with the carrot mashed potatoes. A quick and delicious autumn dish!
Chestnuts
Sweet chestnuts you can buy them in the store but you can also pick them up. Make it a pleasant walk in the woods and try to avoid the spines. You can go in different directions with sweet chestnuts.
Roasted chestnuts
The classic on the French markets is not difficult to make. Try to choose the slightly larger chestnuts for this dish. First wash the chestnuts and check that there are no unwanted guests among them. Cut with a sharp with a cross in the flat side of the chestnut. Take a deep pan and heat a little oil. When it is piping hot, put the chestnuts in it. Chestnuts do need some cooking time, so let them “roast” for at least 35 minutes. Keep in mind that they do not turn black. After 35-40 minutes the chestnuts are soft and warm. Nice to give to children as a reward for braving the bolster!
Boiled chestnuts
You can also cook chestnuts perfectly. Remove the peel and white film and let them cook for at least 45 minutes. Make sure they are soft enough before pouring them off. You can now use the boiled chestnuts in a stew, mix them with a lettuce with wild mushrooms, use them in a rice dish or even eat them straight away.
Autumn drink with ginger
If you like to fall asleep warm under the covers in the evening, it is best not to drink coffee. You can, however, make this delicious autumn drink that is also beneficial for colds and sore throats.
Needed for half a liter:
- Fresh ginger, about 3 cm
- Half a large lemon
- Honey
Grate the ginger and add a little lemon zest. Bring this mixture to the boil in half a liter of water with the juice of the lemon. Let it boil for ten minutes and strain the drink. Add honey to taste and you’re done! The drink has a surprisingly spicy taste due to the ginger and lemon, but is softened by the honey. Those who still have time can make a delicious dessert that tastes good in all seasons. You can also take the drink with you on an autumn walk in a thermos. This way you can heat yourself from the inside!