Autumn Explorations and culinary inspirations, Chef Carley Papi
As the long, hot, adventurous days of summer start to shorten, the feeling in the air begins to shift. Along with back to school and (slightly) cooler temperatures in Austin, there is also a sense of things settling down and slowing, a little time of reflection after the impossibly fast months in the sun. I feel a shift from the freeness and possibility of summer to the limitations of a more structured [Virgo] routine in the fall, which can come with a tinge of sadness. This year however, I am embracing the natural rhythm and looking for ways to thrive within this simpler, steadier energy. Sometimes, guard rails are just what is needed to unleash creativity.
Exploration and creativity, for me, often come in the form of food and flavor. I dream of making it easy to feed yourself deliciously and have been pouring my time (and heart) into Flavor Meditation, a new project with my creative and business partner, Rebekah. We craft seasoning and herbal blends that make it simple for anyone to create delicious flavor experiences. By paying attention to how things taste, to where they come from, and to how they make us feel, we cultivate presence and mindfulness through the experience of flavor.
One thing I’ve been doing lately to cultivate that presence is shopping seasonally, with joy, and without a strict list. I go to the farmers market or store with a small sticky note of essentials and basics (protein x2 is often on this list), but then allow that sense of exploration to take over - I talk to people, I look around, I wander. What’s in season? Where did they find that beautiful bunch of broccolini? Then I get home and figure it all out, usually preparing simple meals with a couple fresh items and some pantry essentials like Flavor Meditation seasonings, olive oil, and vinegar. Just a few simple ingredients can be so nourishing. This nourishment can be actual nutrition, but it can also be in the form of joy around food and eating - of truly loving something you taste, of sharing a meal, of trying something new, of simply having allotted time for yourself, of preparing food quickly and with few dishes (one of my other dreams of late).
Autumn brings the holidays, which tend to come with a lot of cooking and eating and food in general. And busy schedules, which can make nourishing yourself a challenge! As you plan your meals and shop this fall, keep things simple. This can feel boring or “not enough”, but it will allow space where magic can happen. Below are some recipes to inspire your kitchen adventures! These recipes use seasonal ingredients and fall flavors with our own little twist. If you don’t have something or can’t find an ingredient at the store, substitute. We’ve all been there on a holiday, realizing we forgot bread crumbs, or doing the grocery shopping, but just cannot find a dang leek. I will offer some suggestions below, but use your own preferences and desires to guide you as you build these dishes. The joy you feel making them and creating an experience with shine through!
Written and Photographed by Chef Carley Papi