As the weather cools, I’m finding myself craving more complexity in my meals. Hearty stews, spicy curries, flavorful sauces. There’s something about the aroma warming the air and the heat emanating from the stove that makes more intricate dishes so appealing this time of year.
That being said, achieving that intricacy in flavor requires an important thing: time. Most good soups should simmer for at least two hours. Curry is always better a day after it’s made. Even some of my favorite easy-yet-hearty recipes require a good 45 minutes in the kitchen.
Like all things in life, I’m sure my yen for the complex would wane more quickly were I able to prepare a new dish every evening. But as that is impractical, I’ve been balancing out with chilly weather appropriate simplicity.
While I often fill my plates with a variety of raw vegetables in the summer, in the autumn and winter, their roasted counterparts are far more alluring. I’m convinced there isn’t a single vegetable that won’t taste delicious after a stint in the oven.
So even if my plates aren’t always the most involved, they are no less delicious, and no less satisfying. That balance of the basics allows me to appreciate the elaborate that much more.
What are your autumnal cravings? Complex? Simple?
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complex. I’m craving soup, stews, creamy pasta, warm fruit with a bit of cinnamon. It’s so cold here, I need all my meals to warm me up:)
I’m all about roasting — throw any veggie into the oven for a while and it will come out tasting amazing. Cauliflower with a little curry powder is my current obsession.
I love warm, hearty autumn root veggies. I had some butternut squash smushed up in rice and beans today and it was delish :) also stews made out of a root veggie medley.
but my favvvorites are definitely anything involving warmed fruit, spice, pie & cobbler. mmmMMM
in answer to your question, I use a Exilm 8.1. i bought it at radio shack this spring for about $100. it’s bright pink and tiny and a little dinky, but it does the job :) I have a Mac laptop and I upload all of my photos onto iPhoto, and then play around alotttt with the lighting and effects. the original pics I take are actually pretty boring looking lol. I want to save up for a camera with a bit better zoom :)
have a good day leslie!!
Your first picture sums it up for me. I can’t get enough squash. All varieties do it for me!!! Roasted and then eaten hot or cold! Both ways make me happy! :D
-A
Anything and all things warm. Except coffee. I am still drinking iced coffee while wearing mittens and a sweater.
I crave sweet potatoes and butternut squash.
sweet potatoes, soup, and cheese. and hearty red wine — warms ya right up! ;)
love warming foods in the cold months, eating with the seasons is so wonderful.
i crave, winter squashes, potato, bowls of grains and roasted veggies, and warm milk and tea :)
Complex! Chilis, homemade breads, stews…all fall foods. I still crave them, even in Hawaii!
I’m craving oatmeal for my breakfasts, but apart from that I’m still eating my salads and sandwiches. I still eat them all year round :)
i love warming roasted autumn foods and dishes, it is so nice to sit down to a warm dinner in the cold months, one reason i would not want to go raw lol…well i’m craving oatmeal for breakfast DUH ;) haha, my fav of course… so warming in the morning and such a comfort food for me, love seasonal fruits in it and lots of nuts. and i am also loving all kinds eggplant, peas and string beans and coconut butternut squash mash, super autumy and so delicious!
have a great night, and thank you lovie for your comment today, it really brought a smile on my face, you are wonderful.
xx
Eliza