{"id":31193,"date":"2025-10-20T11:05:36","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T10:05:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/?p=31193"},"modified":"2025-10-20T11:05:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T10:05:37","slug":"hello-autumn-getting-utterly-cosy-with-the-best-of-british-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/kitchens\/hello-autumn-getting-utterly-cosy-with-the-best-of-british-food\/","title":{"rendered":"Hello, Autumn! Getting Utterly Cosy with the Best of British\u00a0Food"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Autumn oh, you beautiful thing! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That time of \u2018mists and mellow fruitfulness\u2019 has officially pitched up on the doorstep, and honestly, my heart feels instantly full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Out come the longer nights, the shorter days, the cosy jumpers that feel like a big hug, the piping hot chocolates (marshmallows necessary!), and suddenly, all we crave is proper, soul-satisfying comfort food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s mad, isn\u2019t it, how quickly this season shifts our whole rhythm? <\/p>

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And honestly, autumn is my absolute favourite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think it\u2019s the sheer joy of the vibrant colours everywhere, the fresh, earthy scent of rain on the pavement, and that irresistible urge to switch on the fairy lights and settle down by a crackling fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It takes me right back to my childhood, walking through a local food festival, sagra, in Southern Italy, guided by the folk music and the powerful, unmistakable perfume of those amazing\u00a0caldarroste<\/em>, roasted chestnuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, as we welcome the season, our desire for real warmth and connection grows. <\/p>

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We’re focusing on what matters: the Best of British Harvest, local, seasonal produce that tastes great and brings a genuine,\u00a0Good Homes<\/em> atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sofia Gallo’s cooking journey has taken her from her family kitchen to becoming a multi-award-winning chef – reaching the quarterfinals of MasterChef UK 2021<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our Autumn All-Stars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Say goodbye to summer salads, now is the glorious time for proper, wholesome grub. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is when our British fields and farms truly come into their own, giving us ingredients that are just begging to be slow-cooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You simply can’t talk autumn without the mighty squash and pumpkins. <\/p>

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Please, don’t just think of carved Halloween faces! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These golden, plump beauties, especially the super sweet, reliable Butternut Squash and the creamy Crown Prince, are kitchen heroes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They can be blitzed into a vibrant, silky soup, chucked into an easy traybake, or just roasted up until caramelised as the essential side for your Sunday roast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They deliver a dose of sunny colour, which is always welcome when the sky outside is looking a bit moody.<\/p>

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Then there’s the rock-solid line-up of root veg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honestly, try to avoid the imported stuff; nothing compares to the deep, earthy flavour of fresh British carrots, parsnips, celeriac, and swede. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get them roasted and their natural sugars explode, offering a beautiful sweetness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re gorgeous for mashing or turning into a velvety pur\u00e9e. <\/p>

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I\u2019d particularly recommend giving celeriac a whirl this year. Great in Risotto or simply pan seared in butter and thyme, it’s a revelation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Orchard Calling: Sweet and Savoury Secrets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While we catch the last whisper of the blackberries, the true fruit heroes are those clinging to the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s all about our lovely apples and pears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there anything more comforting than a crisp cox apple, or the wonderful, sharp tang of a bramley cooking apple? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seriously, nothing says ‘home’ quite like that incredible smell when it\u2019s bubbling away beneath a golden crumble topping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our common British conference pears are at their peak now, perfect for eating, or holding their shape beautifully when baked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are lucky to live near an orchard or an urb farm, join in a harvest festival, or simply pop by during their market to pick your own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only last week, I went to pick some apples and pears for a delicious cinnamon pavlova, the fruit was cooked to perfection with cinnamon sticks, start anise and cloves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is so clever about these fruits is how versatile they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The classic pork and apple combo is a guaranteed crowd pleaser because the fruit\u2019s lovely acidity cuts through the richness of the meat perfectly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, for minimal fuss and maximum flavour, try an easy, slow-cooked Braised Pork Chops with Apples and Cider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a dish that warms you from the inside out and scents your whole house wonderfully. And how about quince?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a few years I have been following the progress of a restoration project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know it may sound as if it doesn\u2019t fit with the fruit, but unbelievably, quinces are the link!\u00a0When the owner told me the tree was ready this year, I couldn’t resist picking some of its ancient fruit.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, I didn\u2019t know what to expect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I knew from looking at photos and reading about it, that I should encounter something similar to a hybrid between an apple and a pear and that has been in this Country for many years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I must admit, the view didn\u2019t disappoint and the branches cuddled the soil, under the weight of these gorgeously ripen fruits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I picked my own, and enough for a couple of different recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entertaining: Old Favourites, New Tricks\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a few people over, the autumn harvest gives us the perfect excuse to do proper, hearty food but with a chic, modern touch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s all part of that \u2018Newstalgia\u2019 trend, taking those classic, comforting dishes, we loved as kids and making them even better using top quality seasonal produce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n