19 October 2010

fall into the kitchen

what is it about fall that makes me so drastically alter the way i cook? here's the weekend's dinner, pot roast with carrots, that will be consumed several more times this week along with the garlic mashed potatoes not shown. and now this morning i am up early to put a roasting chicken in the crockpot. summer evenings were spent cooking on the fly, grilling lean meats and fish and concocting salads with vegetables from the garden. what is it about cooler weather that makes that change? certainly it's not a matter of time as i have more of that in the summer. is it just me??

and then there's baking - apple crisp, pumpkin bread, oatmeal raisin cookies... those never happen in the summer!

10 comments:

Irene said...

I think it's your ancient survival instincts that come to the surface.

Anonymous said...

Last week I made a rabbit casserole, venison stew, steak and kidney pie and a cassoulet... I think we crave all the things that we haven't had all summer - by mid-Feb this fare will be driving me mad!

susan t. landry said...

within two days last week, i made a chocolate zucchini cake, two date nut breads, and 8 apple turnovers...whatever it is, i got it, too!

Natalie said...

Nope it's not just you, I'm the same. For me it comes down to the fact that in the summer I just don't want to be eating much and then really don't feel like cooking either.

Scientifically, the body doesn't need the energy as much to keep warm and active in the summer because of the sun. In the autumn its just starting to get cooler, the body needs to keep higher levels of energy and I also find curling up with a nice home cooked meal is comforting :)

With the change into the cooler months I think it's great to spend time at home, it's like we're all getting ready to hibernate! Keeping warm with a nice roaring fire, candles, a blanket with a loved one or meal with friends is just great to be doing this time of year :) and a home cooked meal is the perfect thing for it!

andigirl said...

Yum, looks so appetizing. And no, it's not you. You are in touch with your body and with nature. According to Macrobiotic cooking, our bodies need lightweight "cooling" foods in the summer and slow-cooked "warming" foods in the winter and changing varieties in between. They assert that eating cooling foods in winter will actually make you ill.

Linda said...

You are absolutely right! There is a whole different way of cooking in the fall/winter months! I have a pot of beans on now and will whip up some cornbread later. Made brisket and mashed potatoes yesterday. In the summer we eat a TON of salads and sandwiches. I think I will make a cobbler.....

Star said...

All sounds yummy to me! Have you ever tried making bagels? I love them, and can't get good ones where I am, so am looking for a good and "fail proof" recipe.

Betsy said...

So when can I come over? Just kidding!
I think the change in seasons makes our tastes (and stomachs?) change too.
I for one don't drink tea until it is cold outside, but before it snows. After snow, I like hot chocolate or coffee. No tea.
It makes no sense--it just is!
Enjoy the lovely weather and the spicy scent of baking in your home.

Peta said...

Over here on the opposite side of the world we have just started in on the grilled meats, barbeques, salads and fruit platters, putting our ovens into hibernation as the weather gets warmer.

Caroline said...

I'm totally with you on this one!! Just love the feeling of cooking in a cosy warm house,with the rain,and wind outside.....feel prividged to be able to do so!