There’s something in the air.
It’s not only cooler in the evenings, that slight chill that makes you want to wear lots of fluffy things – it’s a feeling.
The air feels a bit cleaner and sharper and it’s almost as if there’s a tinkle on the wind. The light is softer and people seem more calm. Change is here and autumn is showing off the beginning of its romance with the trees.
For me, autumn is filled with enchantment, colour and the yearning to get out the big pots and make some serious soup.
Oh, I can think of nothing better than a great big bowl of steaming butternut soup with thick wedges of hot buttered ciabatta that’s really crispy on the edges.
The turn in the light at 6am is the only thing I’m not so charmed about as my little boy still believes it’s time to get up, does he not know about the happy place beneath the duvet at that crucial time of a misty morning?
Maybe it’s the more-ish bowl of oats he’s getting, so creamy with a dollop of butter and a swirl of honey. I have to admit, it’s pure pleasure, I could eat it any time of day and topped with some apple or a banana you can feel all impressed with yourself as you’ve had the breakfast of champions.
There is a kind of medieval desire to eat comfort food and what better than a homemade pie? Oh, I want pie now, I want lots of pie, in fact I think I must make pie tonight. I see golden pastry with a steaming creamy chicken and mushroom filling.
Another dish that deserves a seat at the Autumn table is the very clever little balls of yumminess called gnocchi. Light dumplings of deliciousness swathed in dreamy sauces like pumpkin seed and sage butter and rocket pesto. Serve with a crisp salad to cut the richness and you’ll be filled with flavour bliss.
So get out your big pots people, I want to hear about all the earthy autumn feasts you’re having. Mail me your soups and suppers and comfort favourites. I’ll drop a R250 Kalahari voucher to my favourite one.