Fall is in the air, and the food you were too hot to eat (and cook) all summer suddenly regains its appeal when temperatures outside begin to drop. Fortunately, many of Fall’s best comfort foods are loaded with healthy, scar-healing ingredients. Here are three super easy and delicious recipes that all contain ingredients that make a big difference with your scar healing.

Classic Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

Beef contains the protein and zinc you need; the carrots and potatoes are good sources of vitamins A and C. This simple and delicious stew will fill your house with a warm, inviting smell as it simmers away in your slow cooker.

• 2 pounds beef stew meat in 1-inch cubes
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1.5 cups beef broth
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 1 stalk celery, chopped

Place the meat in your slow cooker. Mix together the flour, salt, and pepper, and pour this mixture over the meat. Stir to coat. Stir in all of the remaining ingredients, cover, and cook on low for 10-12 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.

Turkey-Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is a fantastic and well-known comfort food, and this version uses turkey and sweet potatoes in place of the traditional beef and white potatoes for less fat and extra vitamins. This recipe is fun to make with a friend – but not difficult to make alone, either.

• 1.5 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
• 2 cloves garlic, halved
• ¼ cup skim milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces uncooked ground turkey
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 1 medium zucchini, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• ½ cup frozen corn
• ¼ cup water
• 1 (18-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon dried sage, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Cook the sweet potatoes and garlic in lightly salted boiling water to cover for 15 – 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Drain, then mash with potato masher. Add milk and salt gradually as you mash until mixture is light and fluffy.

In the meantime, cook the ground turkey and onion in a large skillet until done, and drain if needed. Stir in zucchini, carrots, corn, and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5-10 minutes until vegetables are tender. Add the tomato sauce, Worcestershire, sage, and pepper and heat through.

Spoon turkey mixture into 1.5-quart soufflé or casserole dish; spreading to form an even layer. Spoon mashed potatoes on top of turkey mixture in mounds. Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes.

Super Easy Pumpkin Dip

Fall get-togethers just beg for pumpkin recipes. For a major one-two punch of vitamins A and C, try this unique pumpkin dip when it’s time for a sweet treat. Your friends will all want the recipe – which is quick and easy, thanks to canned pumpkin.

• 6 ounces low-fat cream cheese
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup canned pumpkin
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Apple slices

To make the dip, beat the cream cheese, brown sugar, and pumpkin with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Beat in the syrup and cinnamon, cover, and chill for half an hour. Serve with apple slices (and gingersnap cookies, for a special treat).

Read: How Nutrition Affects Scar Healing

What is your favorite fall recipe?

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Recipes via All Recipes, Better Homes & Gardens, Health

photo credit: mallydally via photopin cc

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