5 Healthy Autumn Meals the Whole Family Will Love
September 27, 2012
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Sacramento
• 0 Comments
5 Healthy Autumn Meals the Whole Family Will Love
Fall is a great season because it's a time of change. When the leaves transition from green to a spectrum of other colors, it reminds us of how dynamic our lives are. We reminisce about the good old days and think about all of the good times we've had up until that point. Unfortunately, the falling leaves also signal the coming winter. Once autumn rolls around, the weather has already begun to get chilly. During this time, we just want to curl up in a blanket and enjoy some comfort food. Here are some great dishes that are even taught in culinary school in California that will keep your whole family feeling warm and cozy inside.
1) Baked Mac and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is beloved by children and adults alike, and it is a dish that we would love to enjoy on a cold autumn day. For a healthy twist on traditional mac and cheese, start out with whole wheat macaroni. While the pasta may not taste the same as what you are used to, it is a healthier alternative that you can grow to love as soon as you try it. Extra sharp cheddar cheese will have your mac bursting with flavor, and a layer of spinach under the crust will give it an adult twist and help you get your vegetables in. Top the whole thing with seasoned bread crumbs for a perfect bite that combines crunchy and creamy all at once. Your family will be sure you have been sneaking of to take cooking classes after everyone goes to sleep!
2) Hearty Pot Roast
Pot roast is a traditional favorite that will fill your whole family up and put smiles on all of their faces. This soul-warming dish is comprised of a thick-cut slab of beef slow-cooked in a pot alongside a variety of different vegetables. Usually, tougher cuts of meat such as chuck roast are used for pot roasts because the low-and-slow cooking method usually tenderizes even the chewiest cuts. Chuck roasts are also leaner cuts that are lower in fat, and they are healthier than choice steak cuts. Toss in carrots, potatoes, and celery into the mix and you have a delicious and healthy meal for any autumn day.
3) Home-style Chicken Noodle Soup
A piping hot bowl of soup can cure anybody's bad day and one thing is for certain, not all chicken noodle soups are created equally! Cooking classes focus on homemade recipes while there is always that can on the grocery store shelf…though we wouldn’t recommend that! Chicken noodle soup is a classic that many people can't seem to get enough of. You can create your own version, and it will probably be much better than any canned soup that you can buy at the store. First, pick your favorite pasta from the many types available. Anything from shell pasta to rotini can be added to a chicken noodle soup. Next, add as much diced chicken breast and diced veggies as you want to a chicken stock. Cut big pieces so that your soup tastes hearty and not watery like many of those pre-made versions. Finally, taste and season so that everything is just right.
4) Cheesy Broccoli and Potato Mash
This is one of those dishes that just screams "comfort food." While not too different from your typical mashed potatoes, this mash has cheese and broccoli added to it. You can pick your favorite cheeses and add as little or as much broccoli as you want. This simple food will fill your belly and get your kids to eat their veggies at a cost that's next to nothing.
5) Pork Chops with Apple and Thyme
Who doesn't love pork chops? The apple will give the savory chops a nice sweetness, while the thyme adds a pleasant aroma to the naturally mild-tasting meat. Pork chops are relatively lean compared to other cuts of pork, so don't worry about going overboard with this easy-to-prep meal.
If you live in the Sacramento area and love to learn new recipes and cooking trends like that you may want to think about attending culinary school in California to pursue your passion!
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Sacramento. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Sacramento offers culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs in Sacramento, California. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/sacramento for more information.
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