When it comes to cooking, fall is a season of warm, hearty dishes meant to be served at family gatherings. Full of rich flavour, fall ingredients are a welcome addition to any meal.

Make use of the flavours of the season this year by trying out some new recipes at holiday meals or family dinners. Here are three recipes that utilize three popular fall ingredients (Brussels sprouts, pumpkin, and pears) as the star of the dish.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts are a staple fall dish in many households because they couldn’t be easier to make and are super tasty to boot. They make a fantastic side dish for holiday dinners. Here is a simple recipe that works great as it is but that you can also customize with your favourite seasonings.

Ingredients
• 4 cups Brussels sprouts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.

2. Trim and half Brussels sprouts and place on a large baking sheet covered in aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until evenly coated, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

3. Spread Brussels sprouts in a single layer on the baking sheet with no overlap and with the cut sides down.

4. Roast Brussels sprouts for 25-30 minutes or until they are lightly charred on top and toasted on the bottom.

5. Remove from oven and transfer to a serving platter. Add more salt and pepper if necessary and sprinkle with lemon juice before serving.

Classic Pumpkin Soup

Thick and hearty, pumpkin soup is a delightful dish to serve on chilly fall days. It’s healthy, satisfying, and really plays up on the flavours of the season. Best of all, it is quick and easy to make and requires only a few basic ingredients.

Ingredients
• 1 kg pumpkin
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Peel pumpkin, scrape out the seeds, and chop into smaller pieces.

2. Place pumpkin, chopped onion, minced garlic, and broth into a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until pumpkin is tender.

3. Remove from heat and transfer mixture into a stick blender. Blend until smooth.

4. Add cream and stir, then add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Ladle into bowls and serve.

Poached Pears with Ginger, Honey, and Cinnamon

A simple and elegant dessert, poached pears are a wonderfully fragrant and flavourful dish great for family get-togethers and dinner parties. Using your favourite dessert wine and just a few other ingredients, you can really bring out the sweetness of the fall pear.

Ingredients
• 4 ripe pears
• 2 cups sweet dessert wine
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2-inch piece fresh ginger
• 1 vanilla bean

Instructions

1. Combine wine, cinnamon, split vanilla bean, and ginger into a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer and stir occasionally, until honey has melted.

2. Add pears and simmer for about 15 more minutes, or until the pears are tender.

3. Remove pears and transfer to a bowl. Continue simmering the liquid for another 20 minutes, until thick.

4. Remove spices from the liquid and drizzle over pears. Serve.

Using seasonal ingredients is a great way to infuse your cooking with fresh flavour and encourage yourself to try new things in the kitchen. Try your hand at these three recipes to become more familiar with the flavours of fall.