Autumn in the Kitchen: Recipes to Warm the Evenings

By early November, there’s a certain smell in the air; woodsmoke, damp leaves, something faintly sweet that makes you want to turn the oven on. This is the season for slow cooking and warm spices, when the kitchen becomes the coziest room in the house. 

Inspired by seasonal ideas from BBC Good Food’s autumn recipe collection (bbcgoodfood.com) and a few old favourites passed along by friends, here are a few simple dishes to bring a bit of warmth to your table this month. 

• Pumpkin & Sage Risotto 

Adapted from a recipe featured in BBC Good Food’s “Autumn recipes” collection, this is as comforting as it gets. Start with roasted pumpkin or butternut squash, cooked until golden and soft. In a saucepan, sauté chopped onion and garlic in butter, stir in Arborio rice, and slowly add vegetable stock, a ladle at a time, until creamy. Stir in the roasted pumpkin, chopped sage, and a handful of parmesan. It’s hearty but not heavy; the kind of dish that makes a glass of white wine and an early night sound like a plan. 

• Lentil & Vegetable Stew 

This one’s a staple for chilly nights. I first spotted a version of it in The Guardian’s “Cook” section, and it’s been a go-to ever since. Sauté carrots, celery, and onions in olive oil, add green or brown lentils, and cover with stock. Let it simmer gently with bay leaves and thyme until everything softens and the broth thickens. Finish with a squeeze of lemon for brightness. It’s one of those soups that seems to get better each time you reheat it. 

• Apple, Cheese & Potato Pie 

Part-inspired by a rustic tart recipe from Jamie Oliver’s autumn kitchen series, this one’s savory, cozy, and easy to love. Layer thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and apples with a sharp cheese; cheddar or gruyère works well. Brush the pastry top with egg, bake until golden, and serve with green salad or steamed kale. It’s proof that apples don’t only belong in dessert. 

• Cinnamon Rolls with an Autumn Twist 

You can’t talk about autumn baking without mentioning cinnamon. This version borrows from a BBC Good Food classic but adds a few tweaks. Make a simple yeast dough with flour, milk, butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Once risen, roll it out, spread a mixture of soft butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then sprinkle chopped pecans or orange zest for an extra seasonal note. Roll, slice, and bake until puffed and golden. Finish with cream cheese frosting or a light drizzle of icing. Serve warm with coffee; or better yet, hot apple cider. 

Autumn cooking isn’t about precision. It’s about patience, and the kind of contentment that comes from stirring, tasting, and letting the house fill with good smells. The recipes above aren’t complicated; they’re just small reminders that food can make cold evenings feel like home. 

Bibliography 

• BBC Good Food – “Autumn Recipes Collection” (https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/autumn-recipes) 

• The Guardian – “Cook: Seasonal Suppers” column 

• Jamie Oliver – “Comfort Food & Autumn Recipes” series