Cook Up Some Cool Weather Comfort — 8 Must-Have Fall Ingredients for Your Pantry

When temperatures turn cooler, mealtimes can change from grilled foods and light salads to heartier comfort fare such as chili and casseroles. Keep these ingredients on hand in the gourmet kitchen of your Springs luxury apartment home to enjoy the robust flavors of fall.

1. Whole Grain Flour

Who doesn't love to bake during the holidays? Whole grain flour is the basis for a surprising number of delicious baked goods, from cookies and cupcakes to crumbles and pie crusts. You can also use whole grain flour in all-purpose baking as a healthy substitute for white flour.

2. Spices

The delightful aromas of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg are instantly identifiable with fall and winter. Other spices to have in your pantry include ginger, cardamom, vanilla, cloves, sage, rosemary and red pepper flakes.

3. Canned Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a staple of most soups, stews and pasta sauces. Did you know that canned tomatoes can actually be better for you than fresh? The cooking process releases lycopene, a disease-fighting antioxidant, making it more readily absorbed by your body.

4. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes aren't just for the Thanksgiving table anymore. This versatile food is low in fat, packed with nutrients, and tasty enough to be eaten without butter, sour cream and other high-calorie toppings. Use sweet potatoes as a stand-in for pasta and rice side dishes, or add them to soups and stews for creamy thickness.

5. Beans

Beans are inexpensive, filling and a great source of protein when you want to have a meatless meal. As an added benefit, cooking with beans is eco-friendly. Beans need less water to grow, and they draw nitrogen from the air and distribute it in the soil for better crop health.

6. Stocks and Broths

A rich, flavorful broth makes all the difference in soups, risottos and other dishes. There are a number of excellent broths on grocery store shelves, but DIY stocks are surprisingly easy to make and a great way to use up scraps and leftovers.

7. Canned Pumpkin

Pumpkin is such a popular seasonal flavor that it's even found its way into coffee! Be sure to buy pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, unless you're actually baking pies. Pumpkin pie filling has added sweeteners and spices that don't work well in other applications.

8. Nuts

Almonds, pecans and other nuts add flavor and texture to a wide variety of foods. Opened bags of nuts can be stored in the freezer for longer life.

Share your favorite comfort food recipe with us in the comments!