Healthy autumn recipes! The ultimate comfort foods that help curb cravings

Cosy season is here, which means you may be craving carbohydrates, a biological response to the darker days after the clocks turn back, as the body tries to conserve energy. However, it’s important to find a way to eat these comfort foods in a healthy, balanced way – think nourishing foods like root vegetables and stews.

If you’re looking for hearty meals and you’re out of inspiration, we’ve got you covered with these healthy autumn recipe ideas featuring seasonal ingredients such as pumpkin and butternut squash. Not only are these meals nutritious and easy to make, but they are delicious too. 

© romina callwitz

The risotto is made with coconut milk and nutritional yeast

Vegan cherry tomato risotto

This vegan creamy tomato risotto from Romy London is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a cosy night in. 

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 35 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 brown onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 200g Carnaroli Risotto Rice
• 120ml vegan-friendly dry white wine
• 750ml vegetable broth
• 1 tin Cherry Tomatoes
• 120ml full-fat coconut milk
• 40g nutritional yeast
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Freshly grated vegan mozzarella for serving
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent, about five minutes.
2. Add the risotto rice and cook, stirring constantly, for two minutes.
3. Pour in the white wine and cook until the liquid has been absorbed.
4. Add the vegetable broth, one-third at a time, stirring frequently and allowing each third to be absorbed before adding the next.
5. Add the tinned cherry tomatoes, coconut milk, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
6. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is cooked through and the risotto is creamy.
7. 7. Remove from the heat and serve the risotto garnished with freshly grated vegan mozzarella and fresh basil or parsley.

Make your salad warm for winter

Roast pumpkin salad

The perfect way to use seasonal pumpkin leftovers, this meal, created by food blogger Samantha Hadadi for Rejuvenated, shows that salads aren’t just for summer.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 150g brown or wild cooked rice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 small handful of pecans
• 1 large handful of pomegranate seeds
• 1 small handful of pumpkin seeds
• 2 cups of kale
• 1/2 lLemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp maple syrup, optional
• 1 small pumpkin or medium squash
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups of spinach
• 3 tbsp tahini

Instructions

1. Start by preheating your oven to 200°C and lining a baking tray. Drizzle your pumpkin or squash pieces in 1-2 tbsp of olive oil, then season. Add a touch of spice, if desired (we used 1 tsp paprika).
2. Place in the oven to roast until golden and slightly caramelised (around 20 minutes) – check after 15 minutes of cooking.
   As the pumpkin cooks, prepare your dressing by whisking all ingredients together, adding water until you get the consistency you desire (we added about 5 tbsp). Remove the cooked pumpkin from the oven and set aside.
3. Serve warm, topped with pomegranate seeds and drizzled with the tahini dressing.
4. Heat some oil in a pan, then toss in the kale, pecans, pumpkin seeds and cooked rice. Cook, stirring often, until the kale starts to wilt and begins to crisp. Toss in the spinach and cooked pumpkin and heat for a further 30 seconds or so. Season to taste.

Add a salad, quinoa or wholemeal rice to complete the dish

Butternut squash curry

This tasty dish from Rejuvenated is perfect for lunch or a light dinner. Add a salad, quinoa or wholemeal rice.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 60 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and chopped
• 1 can of chickpeas
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 can of chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 bunch fresh coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 lime
• 1/2 tbsp minced ginger
• 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped
• 1 red onion
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 cup yoghurt

Instructions

1. Melt the coconut oil in a pan, then add the onion and soften. Add the garlic, chilli, ginger and spices, along with some salt and pepper, then stir and fry for a further few minutes.
2. Tip in the chopped tomatoes, coconut milk, butternut squash and chickpeas, then stir and adjust the heat to a simmer.
3. Finely chop a small handful of coriander stems, then stir in. Cover with a lid and cook for around an hour, stirring and adding more.
4. Once ready to serve, stir through fresh lime juice and natural yoghurt. Serve sprinkled with coriander leaves.