Embracing the Flavors of Fall with Amy Thielen
As the crisp air takes over and the leaves begin to change, Minnesota chefs like Amy Thielen prepare to celebrate the harvest season. With a kitchen filled with comforting aromas, fall signifies the arrival of warm flavors, from nutmeg and apple to the sweetness of maple. Nina Moini caught up with Thielen on Minnesota Now to discuss the joys of cooking and baking during the colder months, providing insights into seasonal dishes and creative culinary inspiration.
The Quintessential Minnesota Fall Dish
When prompted about the quintessential fall dish that embodies the spirit of Minnesota, Amy’s response was delightfully ambiguous. With the apple harvest nearing its peak, she was overwhelmed by the bounty—two bushels stored in her second fridge, each apple ripe for exploration. While stews came to the forefront of her mind, the conversation turned richly personal. Amy described transitioning from a vegetable-centric menu to heartier meat dishes as the temperatures drop.
“I have been making a beef stew pretty canonical,” she explained, a dish made more comforting with the addition of homemade dumplings for the second day. This evolution in leftovers showcases not just culinary skill but also a familiar Minnesota tradition of embracing comfort food during the colder months.
Navigating Grocery Options in the Cold Season
In discussing sourcing ingredients in the colder months, Amy highlighted the importance of local co-ops and small grocery stores. Living just outside Park Rapids, she emphasized the friendships formed with local grocers, forming a community around shared food experiences. Rather than relying on canning as she once did, Amy now frequents independent shops like Harmony and Manna, valuing the quality and variety these sources offer.
Warm Soups to Soothe the Soul
When addressing seasonal soups, squash emerged as Amy’s go-to ingredient. “Squash is my go-to,” she affirmed, emphasizing her preference for buttercup and turban squash over the more common butternut variety. Using her wood cook stove adds an extra layer of warmth and richness to her soups, reinforcing the comfort food experience during Minnesota’s chilly winters.
Her creativity shines through in the way she prepares these soups. She opts for purées, blending in unexpected ingredients like black tea and honey to enhance the naturally sweet flavors of squash. Amy’s imaginative approach to flavors allows her to keep her meals fresh and exciting, showcasing the versatility of seasonal produce.
Inspiring Creativity in the Kitchen
With the transition from summer abundance to winter simplicity, Amy shared that the colder months are a time of renewed creativity in her kitchen. She admitted feeling a sense of boredom amidst summer’s plethora of fresh produce, often opting for simple preparations to showcase the stunning ingredients without overcomplicating them. Autumn, however, serves as a canvas for her culinary imagination, leading her to explore outdated but intriguing recipes that celebrate the season’s flavors.
Whether it’s inspiration from classic cookbooks or the latest culinary trends on social media, Amy thrives on exploring new ideas while respecting the traditions of cooking. Each season presents a unique framework for culinary creativity, and autumn, in particular, invites her to delve into “the season of creativity.”
Fall Baking Inspirations
As the conversation turned to fall baking, Amy’s passion illuminated the air. With an abundance of mature apple trees boasting an impressive harvest, including 36 quarts of apple cider, she showcased one of her favorite recipes: an apple cider scone cake. Inspired by Shaker traditions, this dish involves boiling down cider into syrup, creating a rich sweetener that perfectly complements a buttery drop biscuit batter.
As the scone batter bakes atop the caramelized layer of cider syrup, the cooking process yields a delightful combination of textures and flavors, encapsulating the essence of fall’s bounty. Amy’s love for combining sweet and savory aspects of baking reinforces the cozy nostalgia often associated with this time of year.
Through her conversation with Nina Moini, Amy Thielen beautifully depicts how the transition into fall invites a warm array of flavors, culinary creativity, and an appreciation for local ingredients. From hearty stews to imaginative soups and delightful baked goods, winter provides an opportunity for exploration, comfort, and connection in the kitchen. Each dish crafted and shared brings to life the rich tapestry of Minnesota’s culinary landscape during the fall season.