5 Tasty and Easy Fall Recipes for Seniors
As the weather changes, most people crave recipes that evoke thoughts of pumpkin spice lattes and warm apple pie. If you're a senior looking to enjoy the flavors of fall without all the unhealthy fats, look no further than these five easy fall-themed recipes for seniors.
With delicious ingredients and minimal cooking time, you won't have any excuses not to whip up one of these tasty dishes. The best part? All recipes are designed with your nutritional needs in mind.
1. Apple Crumble
This recipe is easy to make, and it tastes delicious! Take an apple, peel it, slice it, and place the slices on a baking sheet. Pour some brown sugar over the apples. Add some butter and cinnamon to the mix and sprinkle it on top of the apples.
Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let them cool for 10 minutes. Top with ice cream or whipped cream, and enjoy.
2. Cinnamon Apple Strudel
Enjoy the flavors of fall with this easy strudel. This dish is perfect for fall because it's sweet and spicy with a light, flaky crust. You can also make it with other fruits, such as pears or figs. The best part about this recipe is that it requires minimal prep time.
All you need to do is mix up the dough ingredients (1 ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ cup butter, melted, 1 beaten egg yolk, and ⅓ cup warm water). Knead the dough until it's elastic and pliable, then let it rest in a bowl covered in plastic wrap while you prepare the filling.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add apple slices to coat. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, then saute until caramelized (about 10 minutes).
Turn off the heat. Spread 2 cups of chopped apple into a pan coated with cooking spray. Top with 1/2 cup of brown sugar and sprinkle evenly with ground cinnamon.
Finish by rolling out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it forms an 18 x 16 rectangle. Brush one side of the dough rectangle with melted butter, then lay it on the apples to cover them entirely.
Turn the edges under so they line up nicely with the sides of the pan. Press firmly around the edges with your fingers to seal in all the juices. Cover with a towel and let it rise for about 45 minutes in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), then bake the strudel for 40–50 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Allow cooling slightly before serving warm or at room temperature with a generous dusting of powdered sugar.
3. Caramel Apples
Soften a few apples by slicing them and putting them in a large bowl. Pour apple juice over the apples, then sprinkle them with brown sugar.
Place it all in a bowl and then place the apples on an oven-safe plate. Put them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes or until they are soft to the touch. Allow it to cool before you eat.
4. Mashed Potatoes & Caramelized Onions
Mashed potatoes with caramelized onions are a delicious way to make mashed potatoes. Caramelizing the onions adds sweetness and depth of flavor to this recipe.
Simply peel, cut, and cook the onions in butter or oil over medium-high heat until browned. Then add salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low, add water (just enough so that it barely covers the bottom of the pan), and cover with a lid. Simmer the onions for 10–15 minutes until soft.
Finally, mash your potatoes with a potato masher or electric mixer and mix them with the caramelized onion mixture. It will take about 1/2 pound of chopped onions to fill a quart-size container.
5. Pumpkin Soup
It's finally time to start making pumpkin recipes again! This pumpkin soup is a hearty, satisfying meal that is perfect when the weather gets cooler. The best part? It's super easy to make and only takes a few minutes.
You can also do many variations based on what you want in your soup. Don't like onions? No problem—just leave them out. Want more salt or pepper? That's no problem either!
Add as much seasoning as you want; this recipe is all about personal preference. Even if you don't have fresh pumpkins available, canned pumpkin works fine too.
Add an extra cup of chicken broth since it's not quite as watery as fresh pumpkin puree. One last tip-enjoy some bread with your soup.
Toast up some bread slices and add a dollop of butter before dunking them into the warm soup. Top with a sprinkle of salt and a drizzle of olive oil, and serve alongside a slice of buttered toast. A true comfort food classic.
Final Thoughts
At Elite Home Health Care, we know how important it is to stay active and healthy during the changing seasons. That's why we are committed to providing excellent care that helps seniors live an independent life in their home or assisted living environment.
In addition, we are proud to share these five recipes with you. We hope that they help you find your new favorite fall dish. Contact us today or visit our website for more information on how we can help.
Written by: Leah Ganz
Leah Ganz, RN, BSN is the Director of Patient Services at Elite Home Health Care. She has an extensive background in homecare and previously worked in various specialties including pediatrics, pain managemnet and internal medicine. She oversees allpatient services across Elite's departments.