The Coastal Grandmother Guide to Healthy Fall Recipes
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Known for elevating life’s simple pleasures, a Coastal Grandmother puts together seemingly effortless but decadent meals for fancy breakfast dates and intimate dinner gatherings. The fresher the ingredients, the better.
By the way, if you’re wondering what a Coastal Grandmother is, check out our recent blog post Coastal Grandmother Style: The Definitive Guide.
In the spirit of this popular trend, we’ve put together 10 healthy fall recipes that are coastal grandmother-approved for a season of wholesome, elevated dining.
Harvest Salad
Fall flavors come to the table in one refreshing meal - this Harvest Salad is the perfect way to serve your guests their fill of apples, kale, Brussels sprouts, and kabocha squash. A Coastal Grandmother loves using fresh produce to transform a simple salad into something special.
Southern Living
Drizzle with a zesty citrus dressing and toss in a large wooden salad bowl for a nutritious crowd-pleaser. The toasted pecans and shaved Parmesan cheese add a crunchy, salty taste that can't be beat!
Curried Mussels with Butternut Squash and Leeks
Not just a warm weather delight, seafood can be delicious yet healthy fall comfort food. Pair briney, salty mussels with sweet butternut squash - a favorite fall staple a Coastal Grandmother would easily pick up at the farmer’s market - and drizzle with curry sauce.
Food Network
Bonus: We love using our Ocean Wave Bamboo Cutting Board when prepping seafood to get the vibe going. Don’t forget your bread for dipping - this high-quality basket will keep your loaf or rolls warm and toasty.
Pesto and Kale Pasta
Enjoy this creamy pesto and kale pasta as a tasty and healthy fall recipe idea. This meal only requires a handful of fresh ingredients and pantry staples, and a Coastal Grandmother will approve. She knows a simple blend of wholemeal pasta, kale, freshly made pesto, red onions, and low-fat cheese has enough flavors to please a crowd.
BBC Good Food
CG pro tip: serve this fall recipe with an elevated version of the bread basket, like vegan bruschetta topped with fresh tomatoes and basil.
Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad
Coastal Grandmothers do more than just yoga on the beach to stay trim. This flavorful meal keeps you in a holiday mood without the guilt. This fresh spinach salad brings together reds and greens for an extra festive touch. Place spinach in a large wooden salad bowl, then top with crisp apple slices, dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and crunchy pecan halves. Pour tangy lemon vinaigrette on top and toss for a fall recipe that’s hard to resist.
Damn Delicious
Creamy Cinnamon Apple and Walnut Fruit Salad
This traditionally sweet and crunchy apple and walnut fruit salad can be served with cinnamon for a warm, sweet flavor. Guests will love this palate-pleasing side dish to your first fall gatherings or even your last few summer picnics (of course a Coastal Grandmother believes in the power of picnics - she has stylish jute totes and luxurious beach throws dedicated only to this purpose). She’ll serve this fall recipe in a beautiful wooden bowl as proper parting from warm summer days.
Cooking Classy
Pork Chops with Pear Chutney
A Coastal Grandmother always surprises her guests with an unexpected flavor twist. Delight friends and family when you serve these protein-packed seared pork chops with juicy pears for a sweet taste of fall. The tangy ginger, curry, and pear chutney is simply mouthwatering. Balance out this fall recipe with a light green salad that complements the pork chops’ savory flavors.
Food Network
Easy Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Bacon
A Coastal Grandmother loves to serve soup that’s hearty enough to be a meal. Elevate cozy lentil soup with fire-roasted tomatoes, sweet potato chunks, and turkey bacon. The perfect comfort food fall recipe for cold nights, this appetizing soup will keep you warm and cozy the entire season. Serve with dinner rolls or any hearty, crusty loaf in this beautiful bread warmer.
Southern Living
Roasted Squash, Pancetta & Chestnut Risotto
A hearty flavorful dish to keep you warm this season, this risotto takes its health factor to the next level by swapping rice for pearl barley and upping the veggie servings. The pancetta, chestnuts, and sage bring the crunch while Parmesan cheese adds to the risotto’s creamy texture.
BBC Good Food
Fun to know: A Coastal Grandmother knows that the soft flavors of risotto in this fall recipe and the aromatic notes of wine make a perfect match, so she brings out her stemless wine glasses for her favorite dry, crisp white wine.
Crispy Sausage and Burrata Salad
How do Coastal Grandmothers get that glow? With fresh greens, of course. Boost your greens with some sweet, salty and spicy fixings - this sausage and burrata salad lets you enjoy savory flavors in every bite. Combine crispy browned pork sausages and soft Burrata with red leaf lettuce in a large salad bowl. Top this fall recipe with orange segments, parsley, and red pepper flakes, and add a dash of sea salt for a gorgeous presentation.
Delish
Pumpkin Oat Pancakes
Don’t forget breakfast - a Coastal Grandmother’s kitchen is always filled with the mouthwatering scent of warm spices in the fall. Fluffy, easy to make, and super filling, these irresistible pancakes use rolled oats, pumpkin puree, eggs, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice for some seriously yummy pancakes.
Healthy Fitness Meals
Tip: Serve this fall recipe with yogurt, dark chocolate shavings, or maple syrup - the perfect addition to your weekend weekly family brunch.
Bonus CG tip for health fall recipes:
Coastal grandmothers are queens of happy hour, too. Why not whip up a cool, refreshing cocktail to enjoy while chopping vegetables? A high-quality stone drink dispenser will keep the drinks flowing (and is bound to be your next conversation starter). For a Coastal Grandmother, cooking is truly much more fun with a beverage in hand.
Planning to welcome the refreshing chill of fall with these Coastal Grandmother-approved healthy fall recipes? They’re perfect while contemplating the last Denise Hunter book you read or while sitting by the porch and enjoying the autumn sunset.