From My Kitchen to Yours — Cooking with the Season
- anjaconway
- Oct 12
- 3 min read
As the air cools and autumn settles in, my kitchen fills with the scent of roasting squash, simmering risottos, and spiced oats. This season has been all about comfort, creativity, and balance — nourishing family, clients, and neighbours with simple, wholesome meals made from what’s in season and what’s close to home.
A Season for Comfort and Connection
There’s something deeply grounding about autumn. The slower pace, the golden light, the way the kitchen feels like the heart of the home again. September and early October have brought all of that — family gathered around the table (eight people and a dog!), nourishing meals shared, and a few new recipes that have quickly become favourites.
This time of year, I find myself returning to dishes that are comforting yet balanced — the kind that fill the house with warmth but still tick all the boxes nutritionally.
A Star Dish: Butternut & Red Lentil Risotto
My Butternut & Red Lentil Risotto has been the highlight of the season — a recipe that’s as wholesome as it is comforting. It came together as a way to make risotto a little more sustaining, since traditional versions can be low in fibre and protein.
Red lentils blend seamlessly with creamy rice, while roasted butternut squash adds a natural sweetness that feels like autumn in a bowl. Paired with a simple kale salad (massaged with olive oil and a pinch of tamari), it’s nourishing, budget-friendly, and full of colour.
It’s been a hit with my family — all eight of them — and even got enthusiastic approval from my younger client, a student on a budget who’s nearly at the end of her eight-week nutrition plan.
Mushrooms, Lentils, and the Taste of Autumn
With mushrooms in full season, my kitchen has also seen a lot of mushroom risottos lately. To boost the fibre, I’ve been stirring in green lentils — they add texture and turn a side dish into a balanced meal.
A handful of spinach at the end gives the dish a fresh note and helps with iron absorption from the lentils. It’s simple food, but it’s the kind that nourishes — earthy, satisfying, and full of seasonal goodness.
Small Batches, Big Comforts
Cooking this season hasn’t just been about risotto. Lentil’s latest passion has been cinnamon rolls, and the smell alone feels like a warm hug on a cold morning.
When the kids caught colds, I found myself back at the stove making chicken broth — diced carrots, spinach or leek, tiny star pasta, and a poached egg stirred in at the end. It’s our family’s go-to comfort soup, gentle and full of nutrients.
Leek has been another favourite lately — especially in leek and cheese sourdough toasties, perfect for quick lunches or snacks. And then there are the roasted chestnuts and Brussels sprouts — slightly ahead of the game this year, but I’m not complaining. Their warmth and nutty sweetness make even the simplest supper feel special.
Cooking with What’s Around Us
The beauty of seasonal cooking is how it connects you to the people around you. We’ve had generous neighbours sharing produce from their allotments — vibrant peppers, courgettes, and late tomatoes.
We’ve turned them into naan pizzas with smoked tomato paste, mozzarella, and roasted vegetables; into tomato risotto with red lentils; and even roasted tomatoes for breakfast.
And then there are the pears and apples — so plentiful this year. We’ve been poaching, baking, and puréeing them, sometimes even folding them into risottos. Simple, natural sweetness that fits the season perfectly.
Reflections on the Season
What I love most about this time of year is how everything feels more intentional. There’s a rhythm to it — cooking what’s available, wasting less, adding nutrition with small, mindful swaps.
Whether it’s lentils stirred into risotto, kale massaged for a salad, or oats soaked overnight with coconut yoghurt, each dish has a purpose: to nourish, comfort, and connect.
Autumn brings an abundance of colour and warmth — and a reminder that good food doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the most satisfying meals are the ones that make the kitchen smell like home and bring everyone — two-legged and four-legged — around the table.
With warmth,
Chickpea (Anja)
The Chickpea Hub 🌿
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