Autumn is the perfect season for cosy, heart-warming meals. As the landscape transforms into vibrant gemstone colours and fresh seasonal ingredients become plentiful, there’s nothing better than enjoying delicious home-cooked dishes on your self-catering holiday.
If you’re planning a self-catering getaway this autumn and wondering what to cook, here are five easy and flavourful autumn recipes to try in your holiday cottage kitchen.
1. Hearty Vegetable Soup
A warm vegetable soup is ideal for lunch on chilly autumn days. Use fresh seasonal vegetables such as pumpkin, leeks, carrots, courgettes, mushrooms, and celery. Simmer with garlic and ¾ pint vegetable stock, blend or mash in tomatoes for a creamy texture, add parsely and serve with buttered rolls. Quick, healthy, and perfect for family-friendly self-catering breaks.
2. One-Pot Slow-Cooking Casserole
Slow-cooked casseroles are the ultimate autumn comfort food. In an ovenproof dish, combine onions, garlic, sliced vegetables, tomato purée, red wine, and stock. Add your choice of meat and cook in a low oven for around three hours at 160°C. Serve with buttery mashed potatoes for a filling, cosy meal on rainy holiday afternoons.
We recommend Jamie Oliver's recipe here.
3. Mushroom Risotto
A vegetarian favourite, mushroom risotto is easier to prepare than many think. Sauté fresh mushrooms, onions, and garlic, then cook Arborio rice slowly with vegetable stock, white wine, and dehydrated porcini mushrooms. Finish with seasoning and parmesan or vegetarian cheese for a creamy, indulgent dish perfect for autumn evenings in a self-catering cottage.
4. Classic Apple Crumble
Autumn is apple season, making apple crumble a must. Slice cooking apples, toss with sugar, flour, and cinnamon, then cover with a buttery crumble topping, perhaps with oats or desiccated coconut for texture. Bake and serve with custard, cream, or local ice cream for a traditional, crowd-pleasing dessert.
5. Coffee and Walnut Cake
For a sweet treat, try a coffee and walnut sponge cake. Cream butter and sugar, mix with flour, baking powder, eggs, coffee powder, and chopped walnuts. Bake in sandwich tins, then ice with coffee buttercream for a decadent dessert that feels extra-special in a holiday cottage kitchen.
Even if cooking wasn’t on your original self-catering holiday plan, these simple, delicious autumn recipes will keep you warm and satisfied.