Weekly Meal Plan: What’s In Season In September

Maybe it was the heatwave, maybe it has been the drought, maybe because it now seems like we’re stuck into a constant look of grey days without sun or showers, but I’m so ready for autumnal food. Yes there are some great summertime eats around at the end of September, from the tomato glut to the last of the corn and aubergines, but this is also when leeks are ready to be pulled from the garden, and when the apple season starts in earnest.

So, here are 5 easy weeknight dinner ideas to help you say hello to September and the start of autumn (which, for me, has always marked the start of the culinary year) plus some little baking, preserving, and most important booze-making projects at the end ready for you to try this weekend with seasonal and/ or foraged produce!

Monday: Vegan Roast Parsnip & Apple Soup

Simple, soothing and luscious, this simple Monday-night soup recipe just requires 4 simple ingredients (if you discount a seasoning of salt and pepper, and a good glug of sunshine yellow rapeseed oil) and is great for freezing and batch cooking.

Tuesday: Roast Mexican Chicken with Pumpkin & Pesto

The first pumpkins start to appear towards the end of the month, and I love pairing roasted wedges with boldy seasoned and spiced chicken, feta, chilli and a bold homemade pumpkin seed pesto for a simple-yet fancy supper during the week.

Wednesday: Creamy Leek & Hazelnut Spaghetti

Surprisingly quick for something so elegant, the base of this creamy bowlful of wholemeal spaghetti (easily made vegan if that matters to you) is slow cooked leeks, perfect if you’ve got them growing in the garden, or if you’re just looking for something a little different to curl up with on a chilly evening.

Thursday: French Leek Tart

Speaking of leeks, if you’re after something a bit more traditional (and which will yield a few more leftovers!) I like serving this simple French-style tart with air fryer French fries and a green salad, making the pastry case ahead and stashing it in the fridge to make this weeknight friendly – the leeks can be cooked ahead, too!

Friday: One Pan Autumn Chicken with Apples and Prunes

I love this autumnal chicken dish. Crisp skin, tender chicken, puffy roasted apples and jammy prunes come together with a luscious pan sauce you’ll want to serve with crusty bread to help you get a hold of every last drop, and the rest of the bottle of the wine you used to make it with.

A few more seasonal treats for the weekend: Apple Cinnamon Hand Pies, Damson Jam, Caramalised Apple & Cinnamon Dutch Baby Pancake, How To Make Sloe and Damson Gin, Homemade Sloe Brandy.

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