One of the best things that you can do for your diet involves -- at least to some extent -- eating with the seasons. By looking at those foods that are ripe and readily available and bringing in a style of eating that's closer to what our ancestors would have eaten, it's possible to create a fall recipe menu that is fresh, nutritious and that the whole family will enjoy.
In order to create a fall recipe menu using seasonal fall foods, you're going to want to be sure that you are aware of which foods will be in season from the end of August into the middle of October -- and sometimes even later.
One of the most common late summer and seasonal fall foods is the apple. Apples can be used in a wide variety of recipes that will be satisfying for the whole family. From apple breads and cakes -- many of which contain seasonal walnuts as well -- to applesauce, apple pies and apple crisps, it is easy to explore flavors by mixing spices and different varieties of apples; a tart apple can be ideal for creating an applesauce that stands out and sweet apples can add an interesting flavor to meals of pork and chicken.
Cranberries are also coming into season in the early fall and can add a great deal of flavor to salads as well as to meat dishes and baked goods. In addition to having a stand out flavor, cranberries -- whether dried or fresh -- contain a healthy supply of antioxidants that are great for the body.
Just as apples and cranberries can make delicious breads and desserts, so can pumpkin another seasonal fall food. Of course, fall recipes including pumpkin are not all about pumpkin breads and pumpkin pies; pumpkin can also be used in soups and stews along with other autumn and winter squash varieties.
Soups and stews are traditional comfort foods and, as the days get shorter and more filled with activity - the kids getting back to school and sports activities top the list -- are easy to prepare. With beans, meats and vegetables, it's easy to create soups, stews and chili using fresh, seasonal fall foods. By adding peppers and southwestern spices, a soup, stew or chili can take on a Tex-Mex flavor; with peanuts and curry spices, you'll find that you're able to create Asian flavors and to explore cuisines from far off places.
On the other hand, if you don't feel quite so adventurous - or if younger members of the family are pickier eaters and you don't want to venture out into more exotic cuisines -- fresh eggplant, also a fall seasonal food, can be used to create a basic Italian meal that everyone in the family will love.
Simply put, it's possible to do a great deal to create a menu that your whole family will appreciate using seasonal fall foods - even if they are only a part of your menu planning. As fruits and vegetables come into season, you will find that it's easy to incorporate them into meals throughout the day and to find simple recipes that will take little effort to prepare.