The fall season ushers in cooler weather, and families often find themselves indoors, especially in the kitchen. Preparing a family meal together can transform meal preparation from a chore into a special bonding experience, with the varying aromas of fresh herbs creating a sensory adventure for children. Involving them can spark their curiosity and creativity, cultivating lasting memories and traditions. Consider some season-appropriate herbs when you prepare memorable meals as a family this fall.
How Cooking Together Enhances Family Bonding and Learning
Cooking as a family is an incredible opportunity to bond by creating menus, shopping for ingredients and making a meal together. When families gather in the kitchen, they share laughter, anecdotes and the experience of creating something delicious. This collaboration fosters a sense of togetherness and belonging that makes mealtimes even more special.
For children, cooking is an educational adventure. They learn cooking techniques — from chopping vegetables to measuring ingredients — that instill confidence and independence. They enrich their culinary skills by understanding when to use specific ingredients and enhance flavors with the best herbs for the right seasonal meals. As they experiment, your kids will develop a deeper appreciation for food and its nutritional value.
What Are Good Fall Herbs?
When summer transforms into fall, you’ll want some freshly prepared herbs ready to add to the hearty, comforting meals on your home menu. The following seven herbs are perfect for autumnal meals.
1. Thai Basil
Thai basil is a unique herb that’s easy to grow and adds a sweet, anise-like flavor to dishes. Its sweetness is perfect for both savory and sweet recipes. It’s an exceptional addition to an Asian-style pesto with walnuts and ginger on pasta or a steaming stir fry or curry using seasonal vegetables.
2. Sage
Traditionally used with fall favorites like roasts and sausages, sage’s pungent, earthy flavor complements meat, making it a go-to choice for stuffings. You can also try it mixed with butter to drizzle over your roasted butternut squash for an ideal fall meal addition. Sage helps to lower cholesterol levels, and its anti-inflammatory properties assist sore throats, which children often develop as the seasons change.
3. Thyme
Thyme is popular in Italian dishes, but its subtle flavor fits well in any soups or stews you’ll teach your children to make this fall. You can also add it along with rosemary to roasted root vegetables like squash, potatoes and carrots. Thyme breaks down fat and protein in your food to reduce mucus, which makes it a handy high-nutrient herb to combat colds and aid in recovery.
4. Oregano
Oregano is a favorite in Mediterranean cuisines where its bold flavor enhances many pasta and casserole recipes. Every family loves potatoes. Roast them until crisp with oregano, lemon and garlic before placing them on top of a steaming bed of melted feta cheese for a tasty fall treat. Using oregano to spice up your fiber-focused carbs at lunch will also keep you sharp enough to entertain the kids later.
5. Cilantro
Cilantro has a unique taste that can brighten up rice or pasta-based, heavier meals. On warmer fall evenings when cool meals make sense, cilantro comes into its own. Its zesty flavor complements salads, and it’s a spectacular addition to Thai, Mexican, Caribbean and Indian dishes. Cilantro contains molecules that prevent the spread of heavy metals like lead and mercury in body tissue, which makes it both a tasty and safety-enhancing addition to family mealtime.
6. Chives
Chives add a mild onion flavor to fall dishes without overpowering them. You can add them to soups and salads and use them to garnish fall sides like mashed potatoes or egg and potato salads. Try adding some to your peas, along with dill, when you’re serving a Sunday roast. People have used chives as food or medicine — and to ward off evil spirits — for thousands of years. Nowadays, their high vitamin content can help prevent diabetes and improve bone health.
7. Dill
Dill adds a sweet and fresh grassy flavor to fall dishes, especially with seafood, eggs and potatoes. Mixing it into a fall breakfast of scrambled eggs or an omelet will add flavor, especially when combined with creamy, mild cheeses. With its various health benefits — including reducing inflammation, insulin and cholesterol levels — dill is a valuable herb to keep in your kitchen throughout the fall. However, it is better to avoid serving it to a pregnant or breastfeeding partner at mealtimes.
Stock Up on Fall Herbs to Add Extra Flavor to Mealtimes
Stocking your kitchen with the right herbs helps to transform your family meals into flavorful adventures. Encouraging your kids to use these aromatic herbs will add to their enjoyable, educational cooking experiences and delight them with tasty results. Welcome the change of season by keeping the best fresh fall herbs on hand to let the bonding begin.
