FreshDirect

'Tis the season for pumpkin spice and everything nice! We've picked the items that prove that fall's signature flavors are anything but basic.

The perfect salad starts with farm-crisp greens and a mix of seasonal flavors. Thinly slice kale and place in a large bowl. Add dressing - we like a simple 2:1 olive oil to lemon juice with a touch of dijon and maple syrup - and massage into the greens until slightly soft. The rest is up to you - try pomegranate seeds, toasted nuts and seeds, roasted vegetables, cooked grains, and grated/crumbled cheese.

One of our fave quick dinners as the seasons change, this recipe cooks up quickly and tastes great while being easily adaptable for younger palettes. While ravioli is boiling, heat some butter and some fresh sage leaves in a pan until the butter starts to turn golden brown and smell nutty (remove pan from heat once it starts to smell nutty so the butter doesn't burn). Once ravioli is cooked, toss with the brown butter and sage, then salt to taste. Top with parm and a couple twists of freshly ground pepper. Done!

Butternut squash rice pilaf bowl = the best of fall flavors, in one easy dish. Make it: Peel and cube the squash, then roast it up. Prepare the rice pilaf, then top with the cooked squash, sautéed veggies like mushrooms and diced onions (to name just two) then top with toasted nuts for crunch.