6 hearty, yet healthy recipes you can feel good about this fall

Fall is, without question, stew season and we love the idea of making something that pushes the boundaries of what beef stew should look or taste like. And while we love a classic beef stew, this short rib stew with caramelized kimchi from Food & Wine is on another level.

Using a slightly fattier cut of beef like short ribs lends a more luxurious feel to the stew, while the Asian influence of soy sauce, Asian pear, sesame oil and nutrient-dense kimchi contributes a wonderful sweet and savoury flavour.

For any stew, the recommended cookware is a Dutch oven, which you can use to sear your meat before transferring to the oven to slow cook. The Paderno Dutch Oven, 6.5-qt is an ideal size for those cooking for a family of four.

There’s a reason butternut squash soup pops up in every fall recipe rundown. There’s just something about the blend of warm spices and nutty flavour that makes it simply perfect for serving on a cold autumn day.

If you’re looking to give the classic recipe a little extra oomph, this winter squash soup from Epicurious elevates the seasonal standard by adding acorn squash to the mix and topping it all off with crispy croutons and broiled gruyère.

Make sure you have a great immersion blender on hand if you plan on making lots of soups this fall. The KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender will give your soup a super silky texture.

Salads may not be the first thing on your mind when the air gets crisp, but apples might be. Fall is apple picking season and it’s always a good idea to utilize local in-season ingredients, especially if you came home with enough bushels to last you until next autumn. That brings us to this fall-inspired apple pecan arugula salad.

This salad recipe is heartier than you might think and you’ll love the combination of sweet apples, peppery arugula, cranberries and toasted pecans. The light lemony vinaigrette is the perfect accompaniment, and this Starfrit Wedge & Pop Apple Slicer will make prep a breeze.

The thought of making curry can be intimidating even for experienced cooks. It’s a recipe you’d imagine would require every pot and pan in your arsenal while you grind hard-to-find spices with a mortar and pestle. The fact is, curry can be surprisingly simple to make and it can even be adapted as a one-pot meal.

This easy, low-fat, low-cal slow cooker curry recipe uses curry paste, which is your ticket to adding tons of flavour without the labour. All you’ll need is a slow cooker, which is inexpensive and a great kitchen investment. The Hamilton Beach Elite Set N' Forget Oval Slow Cooker, 6-qt offers a variety of features to make cooking hassle-free.

It’s always a good time for mac ‘n cheese, but if you’re looking for a healthier, fall-friendly spin on the comfort food classic, this version with roasted butternut squash is every bit as satisfyingly cheesy and indulgent while boasting a deep, nutty flavour profile that truly screams “autumn.”

For any mac ‘n cheese recipe, you’ll need a great set of pots and pans. The PADERNO Canadian Professional Clad Cookware Set, 12-pc is a high-quality set that includes all the essentials and comes with Canadian Tire’s TESTED Badge, meaning it's been vetted for quality by real Canadians.

Once you’ve assembled your ingredients, pour everything into a cast iron skillet, top with breadcrumbs (try adding chopped sage for even more fall flavour!) and bake until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

Fool your friends and family with this easy sheet pan recipe that appears more complex than it actually is. The intense umami of miso combined with orange and lime juice pair perfectly with fresh salmon, roasted delicata squash and crunchy pumpkin seeds, creating tons of balanced flavour.

Better yet, it’s extremely simple to make. At most, you’ll need two sheet pans and a bowl for the dressing. Use a large sheet pan for the veggies and salmon. The Wilton Gourmet Choice Large Cookie Sheet, 17.25-in x 11.5-in is a good size for this, allowing you to spread the vegetables in a single layer so they crisp properly.