Sides

My experience with winter squash has often times just been split in half and baked in the oven. It’s a classic preparation but a bit boring. I’ve also made Butternut Soup once in awhile which is delicious but I decided to try out a new recipe and it’s quickly become a new fall favorite. The roasting gives the squash pieces a crispy edge that adds wonderful texture to this  dish. One could easily serve this as a main course because it is very hearty.

Tools

• peeler
• cutting board
• large sharp knife
• paring knife
• half sheet pan
• Aluminum foil
• small omelet pan
• serving bowl or platter

Ingredients                                                                                                             

• butternut squash
• one onion, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup of pine nuts, toasted
• 2 teaspoons dried herbs
• One tablespoon finely minced fresh basil and sage*
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper

Recipe

Cut the top off your squash and peel it. Split in half and scoop out the seeds* and cut the squash into 2-inch cubes*. Pour the olive oil onto the half sheet pan and toss the squash until its well coated. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and dried herbs. Roast for 15 minutes, remove from oven and use the spatula to loosen and turn the squash cubes over to evenly brown. This is when I add the chopped onion to the tray. Roast for 15 minutes and check cubes for doneness by sticking your paring knife into the center.  If it goes in easily the squash is ready. If it’s not quite done roast for 10 more minutes tossing the cubes and onions around on the tray. While the squash is finishing, toast the pine nuts in a small dry pan. Toast on medium heat shaking the pan around. Pine nuts have A Lot of oil in them and will BURN quickly so don’t walk away from them. Take them off the heat and add them to the squash and onions. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese and then drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the squash and top with the minced fresh herbs.

DELISH TIP 1:  I like squash seeds even better than pumpkin seeds! I soak the “guts” in water and separate the seeds. I put them on a tray and lightly salt them and bake them for 20  minutes or until I hear them popping in the oven. YUM!!

DELISH TIP 2: I don’t measure the cubes when I make this dish, just make sure they are all relatively the same size so they cook evenly.

DELISH TIP 3: Fresh sage is really strong so it’s important to chop it up really well. I would NOT suggest using dried sage as a sprinkle at the end.

I have many friends that are great cooks! They are kind enough to let me share this recipe! My friends Erin and Maryann are sisters. They come from a large family and I learned this recipe from them. They both have helped me with their recipe when I’ve wanted to make it for my family. This baked bean recipe is delicious, and easy to make too. You can make half the recipe for a small crowd of five, or double for a large crowd of 20 which I have often done when I cater. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Tools

• 9×13″ foil pan
• saute’ pan
• spatula
• cutting board
• container to drain grease
• 1/2 cup measure

Ingredients

• Three (3) 28 oz Bush’s Original Baked Beans (yes, try to use Bush’s they are the best!) 🙂
• 1 cup of diced white onion
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 pound of mild italian sausage*
• 1/4 cup of ketchup
• 1/4 cup of yellow mustard

Instructions                                                                                                               

Brown your ground beef and sausage over medium high heat until no longer pink.
Drain your meat and cool slightly. I like to break up the the meat into small crumbles.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Add your cooked meat and your chopped onions into the foil pan.
Add your cans of beans, ketchup, mustard and stir to combine well.
Sprinkle the top with the brown sugar and bake uncovered until bubbly and the top is browned. Usually takes 45 minutes.

*DELISH TIP 1: If you like spicy then use a hot sausage instead of plain sausage.

*DELISH TIP 2: If you don’t eat pork then use Turkey Sausage instead It’s still Delish! You can make it Vegan by using Vegetarian Beans and Seiten too!

This dish has all the textures and flavors you could want. Crispy, sweet, nutty, crunchy, smooth and satisfying. I made this dish again the other other night with some broiled pork chops and my daughter ate it has her main dish! It’s very easy to make and you could double or triple the amounts to serve a crowd. This dish serves 4.

Tools

• half sheet tray
• Spatula
• saute pan
• paring knife
• parchment paper (optional)

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of redskin potatoes
• 1 pound of Brussel sprouts
• 8 ounces of bacon** frozen and diced.
• 3 Tablespoons of Olive oil
• 1.5 teaspoons of salt
• 1 teaspoon of pepper
• 1 teaspoon of dried herbs

Recipe

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut each potato in half. Toss with 2 teaspoons of olive oil spread out onto your half sheet tray. Bake for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, trim the ends off of the Brussel sprouts and cut them in half lengthwise. When the 15 minutes is up, use your spatula and move the potatoes around they should be starting to brown a bit. Add the Brussel sprouts with the potatoes adding the rest of the olive oil. Retoss the vegetables on the pan coating all the vegetables. Bake for 15 more minutes. While the vegetables are cooking dice up your frozen bacon and sauté in the pan. Check your veggies. Add the bacon and tossed it all together. Cook 5 minutes more if the Brussel sprouts are not browning yet. Serve while hot.