As autumn unfolds, the leaves start to turn and there’s a noticeable chill in the night air; it’s time for quick and easy comfort food. From a tray-bake of chicken, chorizo and leek to hearty rice dishes like pilafs and risotto, these are guaranteed to see you through the shift from summer to the cooler months. The best part? They’re all on the table in under 30 minutes.
Tofu with chilli jam and spring onions
Tofu with chilli jam and spring onions
This vegetarian meal balances fried tofu with steamed Asian greens, while a sticky chilli, ginger and Sichuan pepper sauce adds sweetness and spice.
Zucchini quinoa broth with feta
Zucchini quinoa broth with feta
This simple broth is comforting yet still light, thanks to plenty of just-blanched zucchini, quinoa and herbs.
Chicken, roast plum, labne and grain salad
Chicken, roast plum, labne and grain salad
Plums are wonderful at this time of the year so why not add them to a hearty salad? You can use any variety, but blood plums will give a beautiful ruby colour.
Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake
Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake
No time to cook a roast? Think again. This chicken bake delivers the same hearty flavour in a fraction of the time by roasting everything in the same dish.
Sausage, lentils and radicchio with salsa verde
Sausage, lentils and radicchio with salsa verde
The humble lentil forms the backbone of this hearty dish. Don’t skip the salsa verde – it adds lightness and a special touch.
Carrot, fennel and feta fritters
Carrot, fennel and feta fritters
Roasted chickpeas, cumin and feta transform these fritters into something special, while mint, coriander and lemon add a fresh note. Make them for dinner; eat any leftovers for breakfast or lunch.
Genovese vongole with rice
Looking for an impressive dish that’s ready in a flash? This is it. Just a handful of ingredients and a straightforward preparation mean the vongole is the star of the show.
Grilled rib-eye with anchovy and caper butter
Grilled rib-eye with anchovy and caper butter
When you’re pressed for time, steak is a life-saver. And this cut is the perfect size for two to share.
Mushroom and mascarpone risotto
Mushroom and mascarpone risotto
A rich and creamy risotto, enriched with parmesan, mascarpone and sage, is a surefire way to chase away any autumn chills.
Roast broccoli and cheddar filo tart
Roast broccoli and cheddar filo tart
Flaky pastry meets a sharp cheddar filling and the complex flavour of roasted broccoli in this quick and easy tart. We like it for lunch or dinner – just add salad and a glass of wine.
Roast chicken thighs with green polenta
Roast chicken thighs with green polenta
A reader favourite, this dish is a tasty way to boost your intake of greens, which are folded through polenta along with mascarpone and parmesan for an inventive side to roast chicken.
Middle Eastern-inspired beetroot and moghrabieh salad
Middle Eastern-inspired beetroot and moghrabieh salad
A light, flavoursome bowl of grains with beetroot, parsley and mint is everything we crave in a salad at this time of year. The cumin yoghurt is a tasty accompaniment for roast meats and vegetables, too.
Pumpkin pilaf with ricotta and pepitas
Pumpkin pilaf with ricotta and pepitas
Think of this as a vegetarian one-pot wonder. Rice and pumpkin are lifted by the addition of garlic and thyme, while ricotta and a garlic-lemon butter are a delicious finishing touch.
Fettucine with kale and pecorino pesto
Fettucine with kale and pecorino pesto
Once you realise how easy homemade pesto is to throw together, you’ll be making it all the time. Here, we’ve gone for a mix of pecorino, kale, basil and almonds but mix and match with whatever’s in season or looking good in your veggie patch.
Chinese celery and pork soup with cellophane noodles
Chinese celery and pork soup with cellophane noodles
If you’re anything like us, you crave the restorative powers of a good broth when the temperature drops or you’re struck down with a cold. This one is quick to make but still full of the flavours of soy and white pepper.
Fish with tahini sauce, pomegranate and fennel
Fish with tahini sauce, pomegranate and fennel
Pan-fried ocean trout is complemented by a fresh salad of fennel, Spanish onion and pomegranate and an unusual dressing of tahini and lemon. Make it once and we predict you’ll be hooked.
Green minestrone with chickpeas and lemon
Green minestrone with chickpeas and lemon
A lighter take on minestrone, this soup delivers all the flavour and nutrients you’d expect but with a citrus lift and plenty of fresh basil and mint. We like to serve ours with extra parmesan and some focaccia on the side.
Pan-fried trevalla with avgolemono silverbeet
Pan-fried trevalla with avgolemono silverbeet
Be generous with the sautéed greens. They’re full of the flavours of fennel, leek and garlic and act as the perfect complement to a simply fried piece of trevalla. We’ve added buttered almonds as the final (crunchy) touch.
Smoked bacon, potato and corn chowder
Smoked bacon, potato and corn chowder
Skip the cream in your next batch of chowder and make the most of potato’s natural creaminess instead.
Pork with cabbage, apple and mustard
Pork with cabbage, apple and mustard
What goes better than pork with apples? Here the tart sweetness of raw apple is complemented by mustard and thyme-braised cabbage. This is the dish to turn to when you’re in need of classic comfort food.
Beef stroganoff with pickles
Salty pickles, fresh dill and parsley and, of course, sour cream each play their part as contrasting accompaniments to the rich flavours of this classic Russian stew.
Soft tacos with black bean mole and flank steak
Soft tacos with black bean mole and flank steak
Tacos are a crowd-pleaser from way back. Here we’ve updated them with sliced flank steak, a quick black bean mole and plenty of lime. Cooking vegetarian? Skip the steak and add your favourite roasted veg instead.
