Stokes Sauces: Autumn fruit and vegetables - shred it, roast it, bake it.

Autumn on a plate

One day I found two pumpkin seeds.
I planted one and pulled the weeds.
It sprouted roots and a big, long vine.
A pumpkin grew; I called it mine.
The pumpkin was quite round and fat.
(I really am quite proud of that.)
But there is something I'll admit,
That has me worried just a bit.
I ate the other seed, you see.
Now will it grow inside of me?
(I'm so relieved since I have found
that pumpkins only grow in the ground!)

Minded to this child's poem, I found the words but not the author - if anyone can help with that?

Vines, gourds, pumpkins - they are all synonymous with Autumn and there's so much we can do to enjoy them and the other great fruits, roots & veg we're blessed with at this time of year.

Autumn Fruits, Roots & Veg.

October Coleslaw

You'll need:

4 tbsp of Stokes Real Mayonnaise (or Garlic Mayonnaise)
3 tbsp of natural yogurt
2 tbsp of Stokes Dijon Mayonnaise
2 tbsp of chopped parsley
2 tbsp of chopped coriander
1 celeriac, grated or finely julienned
3 carrots, grated (lengthways)
1 small red cabbage, de-cored and thinly sliced
2 apples, sliced thinly
1 lemon, juice only

http://www.stokessauces.co.uk/page/sauces/mayo-range

Here's how:

Core and slice the eating apples thinly, leaving the skin on for texture. Put the slices in a bowl and cover them with the lemon juice.

This stops them browning and infuses a little sharpness from the lemon.

Shred or julienne the vegetables into long strips and add them to the apples along with the chopped herbs.

In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise, yogurt and mustard. Add this to the vegetables, apple and herbs and combine well.

If you like nuts, this works well with seasonal walnuts stirred through the coleslaw.

Squash & Tomato Gratin

You'll need:

1 kg of squash, peeled and de-seeded
500 g of large tomatoes, sliced
50 g of butter
2 tsp of Stokes Chilli Jam
2 tbsp of Stokes Cider & Horseradish Mustard
4 tbsp of Panko breadcrumbs
2 tbsp of chopped parsley
2 cloves of garlic, grated
120 g of Cheddar cheese, grated

http://www.stokessauces.co.uk/page/sauces/traditional-condiments

Here's how:

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/Gas mark 5.

With the mustard, gently fry the squash in butter until it colours and softens. This will take about 8 to 10 minutes, perhaps more depending on the size of your cubes.

Season it when it has softened and spoon it as a bottom layer in a gratin dish.

Now fry the tomatoes with the garlic and chilli jam for 2 or 3 minutes, just to combine the flavours.

Layer the garlic and chilli infused tomatoes onto the squash. Mix the breadcrumbs and cheese together and cover the tomatoes with this and the parsley.

Now put it in the oven and bake the gratin for 40 minutes until the cheesy breadcrumbs bubble and brown.

Roast Autumn - Fruit & Veg.

Here's how:

You can basically use anything to create a colourful tray of a roast Autumn harvest. First choose your fruit and vegetables - perhaps squash or pumpkin, carrot, parsnip, potatoes, courgette, apples, pears, red onion wedges and chunky slices of fennel.

Where appropriate, peel, core and de-seed.

Herbs - well, thyme is a favourite; sage works also but use it sparingly as it's a big flavour. A good sprinkling of fennel seeds adds texture and an aniseed twist.

In a large bowl, mix 50 ml of olive oil (or British rapeseed oil) with 2 tbsp of Stokes Cider & Horseradish Mustard with 1 or 2 tsp of Stokes Chilli Jam (more if you like more heat).

Put all the vegetables and the fruit, the fennel and chopped herbs into the bowl and mix to cover well with the oil, mustard and chilli infusion. Spread everything on a roasting tray ( you may need 2) adding more oil if you feel it's necessary.

Now roast your Autumn collection in an oven, pre-heated to 180°C/Gas mark 5 for 30 minutes.

TIP: If you are using 2 trays, swap them around half way through to balance the heat. If you are using courgette, add it half way through, skin side up. If you want to make a real feast of it, put half a dozen beautiful sausages in the tray amongst the vegetables.

Make Autumn Awesome - just add Stokes