Portland's Perfect Plate: Top 10 Fall Recipes to Savor
As the amber hues of fall cascade through the evergreen state of Portland, Oregon, the crisp air whispers the arrival of a new season. It's a time when the city's vibrant food scene mirrors the colorful transformation of nature, offering an array of hearty, warm, and inviting dishes. Here's my personal roundup of the top 10 most popular best recipes for fall that will bring the essence of Portland right to your table.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A pinch of nutmeg
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss the squash with olive oil and roast for 25 minutes. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent. Add the roasted squash, stock, and seasoning. Blend until smooth. Simmer and serve with a dollop of crème fraîche.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup strong coffee or espresso
- Whipped cream for topping
Directions:
Mix pumpkin puree, spices, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan and warm. Add milk and coffee, and continue to warm. Serve in mugs topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of spice.
Caramelized Pear and Gorgonzola Pizza
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough
- 2 pears, sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Directions:
Preheat your oven with a pizza stone inside. Caramelize pears in butter. Stretch out the dough, layer with cheeses, pears, and thyme. Bake until golden.
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 2 cups wild mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Sauté mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Add rice and toast slightly. Pour in wine, then gradually add broth, stirring constantly. Finish with Parmesan.
Maple Glazed Salmon
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets
- Salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Directions:
Season salmon with salt and pepper. Mix maple syrup, soy sauce, and garlic as a glaze. Bake salmon at 400°F for 20 minutes, glazing halfway through.
Apple Cider Braised Chicken
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 apples, sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Directions:
Season chicken and brown in a skillet. Remove chicken, add onions and apples to the pan, and sauté. Add cider and thyme, return chicken to the pan, and simmer until cooked.
Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients:
- Mixed greens
- 3 beets, roasted, peeled, and sliced
- 1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted
- Balsamic vinaigrette
Directions:
Arrange greens on plates, top with beets, goat cheese, and walnuts. Drizzle with vinaigrette.
Squash and Kale Tarte Tatin
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 1 egg for egg wash
Directions:
Caramelize squash, layer in a skillet with kale, and feta. Cover with puff pastry, tuck in the edges, and brush with egg. Bake at 375°F until golden.
Cranberry Walnut Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1/2cup chopped walnuts
- 1 egg
- 1 cup orange juice
Directions:
Mix dry ingredients, then add cranberries and walnuts. In another bowl, mix egg and orange juice. Combine wet and dry mixtures. Bake in a loaf pan at 350°F for 60 minutes.
Spiced Chai Tea
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 2 black tea bags
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cardamom pods
- 1 star anise
- 1 small piece ginger, sliced
Directions:
Boil water with spices, then simmer for 10 minutes. Add tea bags and steep. Add milk and sugar, warm through. Strain and serve.
From my cozy Portland kitchen to yours, these recipes are more than just nourishment; they're a celebration of the Pacific Northwest's bountiful fall harvest. May your autumn be filled with the warmth of delicious food and the joy of creating these dishes that are close to my heart and home. Bon Appétit!
Christine Binge
Modern Realty
Your number one realtor in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington
WWW.CHRISTINEBINGEHOMES.COM
