As the crisp autumn air begins to settle in, many of us are drawn to comforting, warming foods. But why stick to traditional autumn flavours when you can mix things up with some less conventional but delicious pairings? In this blog, we’ll explore these combinations like sweet potato and cinnamon, and apple with blue cheese, to elevate your seasonal meals. These pairings not only embrace the spirit of autumn but also add a surprising twist to your autumnal culinary repertoire.
1. Sweet Potato and Cinnamon
Sweet potato and cinnamon is a match made in autumn heaven. Both ingredients carry a natural sweetness, but while sweet potato is hearty and earthy, cinnamon adds a warm, spicy complexity.
Why It Works
- Sweet potatoes have a mild sweetness that balances perfectly with cinnamon’s spicy edge.
- Cinnamon adds depth and warmth, enhancing the flavour of the sweet potato without overpowering it.
How to Use It
- Sweet Potato Cinnamon Mash: Add a dash of cinnamon and butter to mashed sweet potatoes for a comforting side dish.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon: Sprinkle cinnamon over sweet potato wedges or little squares before roasting for a caramelised, slightly crispy treat.
- Sweet Potato and Cinnamon Soup: Blend roasted sweet potatoes with cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper and stock, warming soup perfect for chilly autumn days.
2. Apple and Blue Cheese
Apple and blue cheese may seem like an unexpected pairing, but the sharpness of blue cheese complements the crisp sweetness of apples beautifully.
Why It Works
- The sharp, salty tang of blue cheese cuts through the sweetness and acidity of apples, creating a beautifully balanced bite.
- The crunch of a fresh apple contrasts with the creamy texture of blue cheese, adding an exciting sensory element to the pairing.
How to Use It
- Apple and Blue Cheese Salad: Toss thin apple slices with blue cheese, walnuts, and mixed greens. Drizzle with a dijon mustard vinaigrette for a salad that’s bursting with flavour and texture.
- Apple and Blue Cheese Crostini: Top toasted baguette slices with thinly sliced apples and a dollop of blue cheese, fresh thyme and dressing.
- Apple, bacon and Blue Cheese Pizza: For something truly different, try topping your pizza with apple slices, blue cheese, and bacon for an autumnal twist on pizza night.
3. Pumpkin and Sage
Pumpkin is the quintessential autumn ingredient, but pairing it with sage elevates it beyond the typical pumpkin pie territory. Sage’s earthy, slightly peppery flavour balances the sweetness of pumpkin, creating a savoury harmony.
Why It Works
- Pumpkin’s mild sweetness pairs well with sage’s robust, earthy notes, making this combination perfect for savoury dishes.
- Sage adds a herbal freshness that cuts through the richness of pumpkin, preventing it from being too heavy.
How to Use It
- Pumpkin and crispy sage Risotto: Add roasted pumpkin and fresh sage leaves to a creamy risotto for a warming, hearty dish.
- Pumpkin and Sage Ravioli: Make or buy pumpkin-filled ravioli, then serve it with a sage-infused brown butter sauce for a luxurious autumn dinner.
- Roasted Pumpkin with Sage Butter and goats cheese: Roast chunks of pumpkin and finish with a drizzle of sage butter and goats cheesefor an easy, flavourful side dish.
4. Pear and Cardamom
Pear is a delicate fruit that can often be overshadowed by stronger flavours, but when paired with cardamom, it’s transformed. Cardamom’s citrusy, floral notes complement the subtle sweetness of pears, making for a sophisticated autumn dessert option.
Why It Works
- Cardamom’s fragrant spice enhances the natural sweetness of pears without overwhelming their gentle flavour.
- The warmth of cardamom makes this combination feel especially seasonal, perfect for cosy autumn evenings.
How to Use It
- Poached Pears with Cardamom: A poached pear recipe flavoured with white wine and cardamom. Perfect served with mascarpone cream or vanilla ice cream!
- Pear, Cardamom and Almond Crumble: It’s gluten-free, simple, quick and easy to make and is a real family favourite for dessert. I
- Pear and Cardamom Cake: Cardamom is the quintessential flavour of Scandinavian countries
5. Beetroot and Chocolate
Why It Works
- Beetroot’s natural sweetness intensifies the richness of chocolate, while its earthiness adds depth to desserts.
- When used in baking, beetroot also adds moisture, resulting in decadent, fudgy cakes or brownies.
How to Use It
- Beetroot Chocolate Cake: Roughly chopped beetroot adds moisture and a hint of sweetness to chocolate cake, making it richer and more indulgent.
- Chocolate Beetroot Brownies: Add beetroot to your favourite brownie recipe for a more intense chocolate flavour and a fudgy texture.
- Beetroot Hot Chocolate: For something completely different, try adding beetroot puree to a rich hot chocolate for a sweet yet slightly earthy warming drink.
