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What to Cook This October

    October is here already, somehow! We’ve been soaking up the crisp mornings and warm, sunny days. Our now two-year-old Grace loves to dine outside, so we usually eat in our screened porch. Yesterday morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the park. I’m definitely looking forward to a cozy fall and the holidays, but I might love these glorious days in between seasons the most.

    As the weather cools down, let’s mark the time with warm apple crisp, hearty chili, and wholesome pumpkin bread. You’ll find more seasonal recipes to enjoy below, and I have a full line-up of new recipes coming your way this fall!

    Apples

    Trust me, no one will suspect that these fluffy cinnamon apple muffins are healthy! cookieandkate.com

    Healthy Apple Muffins

    Easily gluten free and easily vegan (see notes)

    “Made them this morning with one Granny Smith and one Macintosh. Your recipe is fantastic! The rose so well, made a beautiful crust and were nice and tender inside. Taste was great!” – Pierre

    More apple recipes »

    Beets

    Raw Beet Salad with Carrot, Quinoa & Spinach in bowls

    Colorful Beet Salad with Carrot, Quinoa & Spinach

    Gluten free and vegan

    “This could be THE best salad I have ever made. I have a vegan friend who I am always trying to find interesting recipes for and she also loved it. I made it exactly as per your recipe apart from adding a mixture of toasted almond flakes and pumpkins seeds.” – Heather

    More beet recipes »

    Broccoli

    Broccoli casserole, made better with roasted broccoli, cheddar cheese, quinoa and whole grain breadcrumbs. - cookieandkate.com

    Broccoli, Cheddar & Quinoa Gratin

    Gluten free

    “This was so good! I’ve been trying to find one dish recipes that can also feed baby and this was perfect! I was almost too lazy to make the breadcrumbs but I’m so glad I did because it was simple and and so worth it! I also used a bit of cauliflower because I had it and it was good in there too. I think I’m going to make this again and bring it to Easter! It’s a perfect healthier version of a classic!” – Stephanie

    More broccoli recipes »

    Cabbage

    This hot pink slaw is totally irresistible, thanks to—surprise—coconut! If you like coconut, you're going to love this nutrient-dense slaw/side salad. cookieandkate.com

    Hot Pink Coconut Slaw

    Gluten free and vegan

    “This was delicious! We devoured it all. Our 3-year-old even said “Num, num!” and she is not usually a huge cabbage fan.” – Amanda

    More cabbage recipes »

    Carrots

    This creamy, Thai-spiced carrot and sweet potato soup comes from Angela Liddon's new cookbook, Oh She Glows Everyday! cookieandkate.com

    Creamy Thai Carrot Sweet Potato Soup

    Gluten free and vegan

    “Today was our first cool day for the season. When I stepped outside for my morning walk I knew I would be making this soup for dinner. It was so good. Thanks so much for choosing to share this tasty recipe. I can’t wait to get Angela’s new cookbook.” – Cathy

    More carrot recipes »

    Cauliflower

    cauliflower rice side dish recipe

    Mediterranean Cauliflower Rice

    Gluten free and vegan

    “I’ve never had cauliflower rice before, but a Google search took me to this recipe, which I made tonight. It was absolutely delicious and I have enough leftovers to use as a side dish tomorrow night I highly recommend it!” – Deirdre

    More cauliflower recipes »

    Corn

    Enjoy this Southwestern black bean salad recipe all week long! It's colorful and bursting with nutrients. cookieandkate.com

    Fresh Black Bean Salad

    Gluten free and vegan

    “I made this when we were on vacation this summer, and we had it with tostadas as chips to scoop it up. My ten-year-old son said “best dinner ever!” It was scrumptious. I’ve made it a couple times now, and I love having it on hand in the fridge for snacks or easy meals. Yum! Delish and very fresh testing!” – E

    More corn recipes »

    Cucumber

    mint dressing poured over fattoush salad

    Fattoush Salad with Mint Dressing

    Easily vegan

    “This is SO delicious I absolutely love how all the flavors work together & that mint dressing is incredibly yummy! Thanks Kate & Cookie!” – Colleen

    More cucumber recipes »

    Eggplant

    ratatouille with bread

    The Best Ratatouille

    Gluten free and vegan (just depends on your accompaniments)

    “I was totally blown away by this Ratatouille recipe…so simple with so much flavor! I picked this particular recipe because I have a basil plant that went into overload so I have an abundance of basil and wanted to use it up before the season runs out on us. I totally underestimated the power of “roasting”! Thank you so much!!” – Dessa

    More eggplant recipes »

    Fennel

    A fresh and filling spring salad, featuring arugula, carrots, quinoa and avocado - cookieandkate.com

    Spring Carrot, Radish and Quinoa Salad with Herbed Avocado

    Gluten free and easily vegan

    “I LOVED this salad! Made it twice in one week. I skipped the honey in the dressing and used pumpkin seeds in stead. Great combination of favors and textures. This salad made me a follower of your recipes!” – Lisa

    More fennel recipes »

    Grapes

    Jammy roasted grapes on brie and toast make a simple, seasonal appetizer!

    Roasted Grape Crostini with Brie and Fresh Thyme

    Just vegetarian

    I need you to try these crostini and let me know how you like them!

    That’s my only recipe with grapes so far. More to come.

    Hardy greens (arugula,
    chard, collard greens & spinach)

    This amazing Mexican green salad recipe is the perfect healthy side for your favorite Mexican dishes! Get the recipe at cookieandkate.com

    Mexican Green Salad with Jalapeño-Cilantro Dressing

    Gluten free and easily vegan

    “This Mexican salad is absolutely delicious! The dressing is to die for. Even my 26 year old son who is not a big salad eater really enjoyed it and even took some home with him. He especially liked the dressing. I added two cups of cooked quinoa to make it a little more filling as well as some fresh corn I needed to use up. I have been eating it all week for lunch and it is just perfect. I used a rather large jalapeno but removed the seeds etc and the dressing is not too spicy but has a little kick to it.” – Annika

    More salad recipes »

    Kale

    Mediterranean sweet potato farro salad, perfect for weeknight dinners! cookieandkate.com

    Mediterranean Roasted Sweet Potato & Farro Salad

    Easily vegan

    “I made this for supper tonight, and I love it! There might not be leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch. My grocery store didn’t have sumac, but I’ll have to get some for next time, because I’m definitely making it again!” – Emilie

    More kale recipes »

    Melons

    watermelon salad recipe with herbed yogurt sauce cucumber and shallot

    Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Sauce

    Gluten free and easily vegan

    “Wonderful refreshing summer lunch. I used an English cucumber. I was surprised how much I liked the pickled shallots. I’ll make again as long as watermelon is in season.” – Allison

    More watermelon recipes » (also cantaloupe and these honeydew margaritas)

    Mushrooms

    Gluten free quiche recipe

    Arugula and Cremini Quiche with Gluten-Free Almond Meal Crust

    Gluten free

    “You just won my meat-eating friends over with this quiche! They’re going to be running over to C+K now for recipes! Thanks again for another hit! It’s so easy to be a “chef” with these fail proof recipes!” – Deepthi

    More mushroom recipes »

    Pears

    pear raspberry crostini

    Pear, Raspberry and Goat Cheese Crostini

    Just vegetarian

    “This morning I was frantically running around the kitchen in desperate search for a healthy lunch to pack. So you saved me! It took me 4 minutes to prep all of this and take it to-go. Now I’m sitting quietly at my desk waiting for lunch time. Is it here yet?” – Sylvia

    More pear recipes »

    Peppers

    This red Thai curry recipe is just as good as your favorite Thai restaurant's! cookieandkate.com

    Thai Red Curry with Vegetables

    Gluten free and vegan

    “The best curry ever!
    Fabulous and so quick and easy to make.” – Gillian

    More bell pepper recipes » (also jalapeños)

    Pumpkin

    This creamy pumpkin marinara recipe tastes indulgent, but it's full of vegetables! #vegetarian

    Creamy Pumpkin Marinara

    Easily gluten free and easily vegan

    “I made this last night and it was quick, easy, and delicious! My children (7 & 10) loved it and they can be a tough crowd to please :-)” – Stefanie

    More pumpkin recipes »

    Potatoes

    Amazing crispy roasted breakfast potatoes (also called home fries!) - cookieandkate.com

    Roasted Breakfast Potatoes

    Gluten-free and vegan

    Please roast up these potatoes and comment on the post to let me know how they turn out!

    More potato recipes »

    Radishes

    mega crunchy quinoa salad recipe

    Mega Crunchy Romaine Salad with Quinoa

    Gluten free and vegan

    “Eating this salad right now and I am blown away! So crunchy and the dressing is awesome! Perfect for today’s summer weather.

    Thanks for all your awesome recipes!! :)” – Frances

    More radish recipes »

    Squash (summer & winter varieties)

    Roasted butternut squash, apple and wheat berry salad recipe

    Hearty Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Salad

    Easily gluten free and vegan

    “Made this salad last night and it was a huge hit with the crowd! Substituted quinoa for wheat berries because that’s what I had at the time. The best part is eating leftovers for lunch today! Whenever I need some ideas for dinner I check out your recipes and I have loved all of them. Thanks for sharing!” – Gillian

    More butternut squash recipes » (also delicata squash, acorn squash, yellow squash and zucchini)

    Sweet Potatoes

    Roasted sweet potatoes with green rice and black beans. cookieandkate.com

    Spicy Sweet Potato and Green Rice Burrito Bowls

    Gluten free and vegan

    “Loved this! Perfect supper with wind chills below zero. I’ll be making that rice again and again. Can’t wait to taste it tomorrow, I think it will taste even better. Thanks for this great recipe.” – Kathleen

    More sweet potato recipes »

    More resources you might appreciate: 23 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You can shop my essential kitchen equipment here. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!

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    #Cook #October