Garden to Table: Fresh Foods This Fall

Just because summer is ending doesn’t mean you have to give up finding fresh veggies at the local farmer’s market.

Late summer and early fall bring a new crop of foods for your family to enjoy, including root vegetables, the last of the summer tomatoes, crisp apples and herbs. We’ve got a great list of flavorful recipes that use some of this season’s bounty, bringing the garden right to your table this fall.   


#1. Warm Lentil Salad with Lemon Vanilla Vinaigrette 

The turn toward cooler temperatures has all of us looking for cozy comfort foods. This warm salad is hearty enough for a meal, and it brings together some of fall’s best flavors. We added a pop of color with rainbow carrots and pink lady apples. The Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract bumps up the flavors, creating a surprisingly sweet vinaigrette. Cook the lentils a day in advance if you want to get this meal on the table faster. 

 


#2. Artichoke Vegetable Salad 

This “everything-but-the-kitchen-sink” salad is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and create an easy side dish everyone in your family will enjoy. We paired Pure Lemon Extract with Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract to give a sweet and tart tang to the dressing. Time-saving tip: double the recipe and use it to top pasta salad or mixed greens later in the week.  

Artichoke Vegetable Salad with Champagne Vanilla Lemon Vinaigrette


#3. Maple Bacon Tomato Tart

If “breakfast for dinner” is a favorite in your household, bring this tart to the table alongside a fresh fruit salad for a quick, savory meal. Splurge and buy heirloom tomatoes if you can. These plants are cultivated over several generations, with farmers saving and reusing their seeds. Many tomato enthusiasts will tell you they’re the best tomatoes you’ll ever eat! Our Vanilla Bean Paste in the filling cuts the saltiness of the bacon and Gorgonzola cheese, bringing just the right balance this dish.   

Maple Bacon Tart


#4. Fajita Steak Salad with Avocado Cilantro Dressing

Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean your grill has to sit cold all season. There’s still plenty of sunshine to enjoy! The bold bite from the Pure Coffee Extract in this marinade pairs well with gamier meats like steak or lamb, and the recipe brings a healthy dose of color with corn, limes and other veggies. If you can’t find cotija cheese at the store, goat cheese or feta are also delicious. 


#5. Vanilla-Infused Balsamic Vinaigrette

Every home cook should have a good go-to vinaigrette recipe and, if you haven’t found yours, look no further. This dressing hits all the right notes with spicy, sweet and salty flavors coming together for a quick dressing or overnight marinade. The delicate flavor of Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract works especially well in this dish, as it’s not exposed to heat. 


 

Share your favorite farm-to-table recipes with us using the hashtag #NielsenMasseyInspires. We love hearing your ideas! 

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