Good Food Blog
Autumn storecupboard essentials
Posted at 12:02PM, 19 September 2012 by Roxanne Fisher - Writer/Sub-editor, bbcgoodfood.comAs we shuffle and shiver into autumn not only must our wardrobes adapt to the change in weather but our pantry should reflect the seasonal shift too. Make the most of fresh, harvest delights with a storecupboard set to complement your favourite autumnal produce...
Sweet spices - cinnamon
Ripe for the plucking this season are fruits such as pears, plums, apples and blackberries, all great for comforting puds and perfectly complemented by warm, sweet cinnamon. This essential storecupboard spice is a healthy way to sweeten and flavour your favourite bakes, whether you choose roasted apples, fruity cakes or cute crumbles.
Spiced roasted apples and blackberries with cinnamon
Plum crumble slice
Blackberry & apple loaf
Breakfast and beyond - rolled oats
Our bodies require more energy as the temperature changes to help keep us warm and support our immune systems. Keep a bag of oats in the cupboard for a motivational morning meal and flavour with seasonal blackberries or try a drizzle of honey, which contains easily absorbed, simple carbohydrates to give you a boost on even the dreariest of days.
Porridge with banana & berries
Good-for-you granola
Apple & raspberry breakfast muffins
Back to your roots - ginger
As the days grow colder introduce ginger to your meals to warm you up from the inside out. This spice is wonderful in everything from sweet bakes to simple stir-fries but also complements autumnal favourites beautifully.
Sticky pear & ginger cake
Pineapple, fig & ginger chutney
All you need to know about ginger
Good-for-you grains - quinoa
Add bulk to meals with quinoa, a complete protein and complex carbohydrate that is also great a choice for vegetarians as it provides good doses of several vitamins and minerals. This healthy grain is ideal for transforming salads into filling mains, as a stuffing for seasonal squash or in place of rice as a side for satisfying one-pots and curries.
Stuffed butternut squash with quinoa
Quinoa & feta salad with roasted vegetables
Nutritional advice: which grains should you be eating?
Leaves we love - parsley
This autumn, make your herb of choice fresh flavoured parsley, which pairs perfectly with other autumnal highlights such as pears, celeriac and later in the season, earthy parsnips. Parsley also sits well as a garnish or as part of a relish with beetroot and red onion.
Parsnip soup with parsley cream
Beetroot relish
Celeriac & pear soup
A basic base - onions and potatoes
Keeping a few essentials in the pantry will ensure you can whip up a liquid meal in minutes that will be both nourishing and comforting. Choose from ripe, autumnal tomatoes, broccoli, pumpkin or often-overlooked cauliflower and layer them on a simple soup base of onions, potatoes and a homemade or good quality stock.
How to make soup - the basics
Pumpkin soup
Broccoli & stilton soup
When it comes to the crunch - mixed nuts
Match your fruity seasonal bounty to its perfect nutty neighbour for a crunchy and comforting autumn taste. Apples and pears are perfect with walnuts and hazelnuts while peaches and plums love almonds.
Apple & walnut cake
Plum & almond pastry
Flourless chocolate & pear cake
Feeling inspired? Pair our storecupboard essentials with your favourite seasonal ingredients.
What will you be stocking your storecupboard with this autumn?
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