butternut squash – In search of flavor

Ingredients:

1 cup tri-colored quinoa, rinsed

2 cups low sodium chicken broth

1 pinch of saffron

1 can of black beans

3 cups of cubed butternut squash

2 tsp of dry sage

1 tsp of chilli powder

2 tbsp of olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Add rinsed quinoa to chicken broth and saffron and pinch of salt. Cook quinoa.

Once quinoa is cooked, add rinsed black beans.

In the mean time toss squash in olive oil, salt, pepper, sage and chilli powder and spread on a cookie sheet

Roast at 400F for 20mins, till cooked through and golden.

Toss squash with quinoa and black beans and garnish with chopped scallions.

Dinner, Poultry, Stew

Chipotle Butternut Squash Chilli

December 5, 2013December 8, 2013 priyamhc09

Need a new idea for using up leftover squash from all those holiday meals? Try this chilli, a meatless meal that will leave even the biggest meat eaters satisfied. Spicy an belly-warming, a sure hit !

Ingredients:

2tbsp of olive oil

1lb of chopped butternut squash

2 tsp of minced garlic

1 medium onions diced

1, 14 oz can of black beans, risned

2 tbsp. of tomato paste

1 tbsp. of cumin

1/2 of 1 7oz can of chipotle peppers in adobo

3 cups of chicken stock or vegetable stock

1/2 tbsp of dried oregano

2tbsp of honey and 2tbsp of lime juice

salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Heat oil in a pot and cook onions, garlic, tomato paste, peppers and cumin till onions wilt and soften.

Add beans and squash and sauté till softened.

Add chicken stock and dried oregano.

Simmer on medium low heat till the stew thickens-about 20-30mins.

Adjust seasoning and then stir in lime juice and honey–this will cut the heat of the peppers.

Serve hot with tortilla chips, sour cream and avocado slices.

Dinner, Meat, Stew

Pork and Butternut Squash Stew

January 27, 2013 priyamhc09

-12F. Yup ! That has been the weather for the last few days. Bitter, arctic, bone chilling cold. The only fix is a piping hot bowl of stew. Stews may sound daunting but they really are not. Just a few ingredients, a crock pot and a cold weekend afternoon–that really is all you need to make this stew and trust me, it is good for you and it will give your sunday chicken roast a run for its feathers ! So here we go !

Ingredients:

1 lb ground pork

5 cups cubed butternut squash

2 yellow onions, chopped

2 tsp of minced garlic

1, 14 oz can of diced tomatoes

1 chicken stock cube or 1, 14 oz can of chicken stock

1 tbsp of dried sage and rosemary

1/2 tbsp of red pepper flakes

A dash of nutmeg

Salt and pepper to taste

2, Fresh springs of thyme

1 bay leaf

Method:

In a pan, saute pork with all the spices, herbs (except the thyme and bay leaf) and onions till pork is browned and onions are golden.

In a crock pot, transfer the pork and onions. Add the squash, tomatoes, chicken cube and two sprigs of fresh thyme and 1 bay leaf.

Top the pot with water just to cover everything–you will have to adjust this if you are using chicken stock.

Cook on high for 4.5 hrs, leaving the cover off for the last 1 hr to thicken the stew–make sure to taste the seasonings and stir the stew every now and again.

Serve hot with rice, cornbread, or some crusty dinner rolls !

Classics, Comfort food, Dinner, Poultry, Savory

Spicy Butternut Squash Meatloaf

November 13, 2012April 18, 2020 priyamhc09

Thank you, Martha Stewart, for this hearty and unique main course that was highly enjoyed by all my friends when they came for an Autumn Brunch. This could be made with thanksgiving leftovers or just another casual Sunday supper. Make it! You will love it and will even turn the squash haters to lovers–a great way to sneak in the vegetables!

Ingredients

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced medium (3/4 cup)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 small butternut squash, peeled and diced medium (1 1/3 cups)

3 ounces turkey bacon, diced medium (1/2 cup)

1 3/4 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves
1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
1 cup grated Parmesan (2 3/4 ounces)
1 large egg

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion, garlic, butternut squash, and pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and vegetables begin to brown, 5 minutes. Add sage and red-pepper flakes, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
In a large bowl, combine pork, cheese, bread, and egg. Add vegetable mixture and season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Using your hands, mix until ingredients are combined.