Don’t you love fall flavors? Spicy ginger, rich sage, and other strong spices make fall food that much more comforting.
What’s great about adding bold seasonings to your cooking is that the more you season the less you need to rely on salt to make your food taste good. In fact, many of those pre-made salt substitutes are simply herb blends that flavor your food with herbs and spices instead of sodium.
Pairing those strong flavors with potatoes is a natural fit, since potatoes are also naturally salt free. Some fall flavors go best with white potatoes, and others taste best with sweet potatoes. We’ve pulled together some side dishes and entree ideas for you that use autumn herbs and spices.
Fall Flavors: Ginger
Spicy ginger pairs beautifully with sweet potatoes. The sweetness from the potatoes helps take the edge off of the ginger’s spiciness, so don’t fear the ginger if you’re not a spicy food fan. Here are a couple of recipe ideas centered around ginger.
Side dish: Marmalade and Ginger-Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Entree: Pork, Sweet Potato and Apple Saute
Fall Flavors: Cardamom
Cardamom is one of the herbs that makes chai tea so comforting, and it is a staple in Indian cooking. If you’re intimidated by cooking your own Indian food, check out these easy Indian recipes!
Side dish or entree: Indian Chickpea and Potato Stew
Entree: Cardamom-Honey Chicken Thighs with New Potatoes
Fall Flavors: Garlic
Fall is garlic season. Almost any savory dish is tastier with a little bit of garlic, but here are a couple of recipes that feature this universal spice.
Side dish: Roasted Garlic and Potato Soup
Entree: Garlic Steak with Mushrooms and Onion-Roasted Potatoes
Fall Flavors: Sage
Sage has a rich, earthy flavor that’s delicious with beans, meat, or veggies. Try these recipes to add a little sage to your supper.
Side dish or entree: Sweet Potato and White Bean Soup with Sage-Walnut Pesto
Entree: Cider-Braised Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes and Sage
Fall Flavors: Hot Peppers
If you like a little heat, hot peppers are the perfect addition to your fall menu. You can use a pinch or add generous amounts for some atomic-level heat!
Side Dish: Southwestern-Style Potatoes Roasted with Peppers and Herbs
Entree: Potato Black Bean Chili
Fall Flavors: Turmeric
Turmeric is another Indian spice, and it’s loaded with health benefits. It’s a close relative to saffron but much less expensive. It can be a little bit more bitter, so start with a little turmeric and add more as you get used to cooking with this vibrant yellow spice.
Side Dish: Roast Potatoes with Chili and Turmeric
Entree: Salmon and Autumn Vegetables Soup with Turmeric
What are your favorite fall flavors to cook with?
Creative Commons Image Credits:
Spice Tins by Curtis Perry
Cardamom by Steven Jackson
Garlic Clove by Liz West
Growing Ginger at Home by Susy Morris
Drying Sage by Mike Chaput
Banana Peppers by Steven Jackson
Turmeric II by Steven Jackson