This week we'll explore creative uses of apple cider and a unique way to enjoy figs. We'll also delve into finding our grounding place and my favorite secret to healthier comfort food.

Eat Colorfully

Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight: APPLE CIDER

This week, let’s celebrate one of fall’s greatest gifts: apple cider. If you have an apple orchard near you, make sure you get your hands on some fresh-pressed cider before the season is over.

Although apple cider is delicious on its own or mulled with cozy spices, it’s also a great ingredient in the kitchen. Did you know that, if you simmer cider on the stovetop until it has reduced significantly, it makes a flavorful addition to sauces, dressings, and even baking? This Fall Harvest Salad with Apple Cider Dressing, which is perfect for Thanksgiving, has a unique dressing made from an apple cider reduction.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, my beloved Wild Rice, Macadamia, and Fall Fruit Stuffing features apple cider too. You’ll caramelize onions (yum!), then add cider and cook it down before stirring in chewy wild rice, crunchy macadamias, and succulent seasonal fruit.

If you’re a fan of cocktails/mocktails, this Chaider Rum Punch is a fall superstar. It unites everyone’s two favorite fall beverages (chai and apple cider, hence the term “chaider”) for a celebration-worthy sip. There are also low-alcohol and mocktail modifications in the post, so this is a drink that everyone can enjoy.

Try This Week: FIG SALADS

I've been absolutely living for fresh figs this fall, and especially fresh figs in savory recipes. The combination of the sweet, succulent, juicy figs with some salty ingredients is just divine. Figs are such a fleeting seasonal treat, so this is a great time to take advantage of them before they're gone.

Figs really excel in salads. Want to give it a try? You can easily add halved or sliced figs to any fall salad you're enjoying. Just make sure to add them at the end, rather than tossing them in, since they're fragile. They go beautifully with other autumnal ingredients like kale, squash, and pecans.

If you're looking for some specific inspiration, check out the beauty (see below) I made a couple weeks ago! I arranged slices of local figs and local pink heirloom apples on a plate, then topped them with a drizzle of tahini, roasted pistachios, fresh mint, the last of my homegrown edible flowers, and plenty of flaky sea salt.

Live Colorfully

In the Natural World: FINDING YOUR GROUNDING PLACE

If you’re stressed, how do you calm down? If you’ve had a frustrating day or are upset, how do you ground yourself? There’s no right or wrong answer, but it’s important to know so that you can always come back to a place or an activity that soothes you.

Since many of us are immersed in busy fall schedules, I wanted to dedicate this week to exploring how we calm ourselves down. For me, when I feel ungrounded, upset, or otherwise out of sorts, nature is the best medicine. If I'm having a challenging week, I specifically carve out a few blocks of time to walk quietly in the woods.

As we enter into the holiday season, this becomes especially important. The holiday chaos can make a lot of us feel overwhelmed. Maybe now is a good time to start doing some peaceful, grounding walks outdoors so that it becomes a habit to easily fall back on amidst challenging family dynamics or frenzied holiday travel.

Although spending some quiet time in nature can be incredibly healing, maybe your grounding ritual is different. Perhaps your “medicine” is meditating, reading a book in front of the fire, going on a run, or taking a bath. But regardless, define what that ritual is and make time for it, especially during hard times when you know you’ll need it.

Self-Care Pick: CAULIFLOWER COMFORT FOOD

Do the cooler temperatures and shorter days have you craving comfort food? If you're in need of some cozy finger food but still want a nourishing and veggie-filled meal, then I have a solution for you: cauliflower! It's loaded with fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and several B vitamins, plus it's hydrating since it's about 90% water. Cauliflower is also a fabulous vehicle for soaking up your favorite sauce.

Believe it or not, I actually have a whole series on my blog called "Cauliflower is Bar Food", in which I take classic bar fare and reinvent it with cauliflower. In particular, this Cauliflower Poutine is our favorite date night snack on a chilly weekend evening.

What is poutine? If you're not from Canada, Vermont, or the upper Midwest, you might not be familiar with this dish. It's a classic late-night snack in Quebec that consists of french fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds. My veggie-filled version swaps the heavy fried potatoes for cauliflower and the traditional gravy for a nutrient-dense, vegan squash "gravy".

This season, what if you ditched the heavy comfort food classics in favor of an equally comforting (but much more nourishing!) cauliflower dish? In addition to Cauliflower Poutine, you might also want to check out Margarita Cauliflower, Maple Salt and Vinegar Cauliflower, and Furikake Cauliflower. There's no reason why comfort food has to be bad for you!

Thanks for joining me for this issue of Eat Colorfully, Live Colorfully! I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to reply with questions, thoughts, or requests. If you missed a previous issue, you can view all my newsletters here. Have a great week!