Tag: butternut squash

Dairy-Free, Entrée, Gluten-Free, Instant Pot, Meal Prep, One Pot Dish, Soup, Vegan, Vegetarian

Lemony Protein-Packed & Plant-Based Soup (Instant Pot)

Annie

I may be the only person enjoying April’s cold spell last month. It was a great time to meal prep lunch recipes for work and sample some hot soups. I quite enjoyed this take on a plant-based soup that with the addition of lentils, is packed with protein. Harissa adds a unique flavor and spice along with lemon, ginger, cumin, and turmeric. Using the Instant Pot, this Lemony Lentil & Butternut Squash Soup is rich and creamy without any added dairy and comes together quickly, easily cooking the carrots. squash, and lentils. It’s the soup you need when you’re looking forward to spring on a crisp day.

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Entrée, Gluten-Free, Italian, Lightened Up, Meal Prep, One Pot Dish, Vegetarian

Creamy Autumn Harvest Risotto

Annie

This was an everything-but-the-kitchen sink kind of recipe–couple of Brussels sprouts here, some carrots over there, butternut squash frozen and ready to use. I whipped up a batch of Autumn Veggie Risotto yesterday because we had the most random produce and veggies in our fridge and freezer. The rainy, cold weather and upcoming football game created the perfect setting for a hearty dish. Risotto is comfort food at its finest. No need for heavy cream or cups of cheese to create a rich meal. The continuous stirring breaks down the rice’s starches to give risotto its gelatinous consistency and creaminess. I stirred in some mascarpone cheese leftover from making vegetable bolognese. The flavors of the vegetables speak for themselves accentuated by Parmesan cheese’s sharp bite.

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Dairy-Free, Entrée, Gluten-Free, Meal Prep, One Pot Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Hearty Vegetarian Indian Dal

Annie

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Mmmm, I love curry. There’s something about the spice seasonings and the heat that continually draws me in. For my love of curry and Indian food, I actually hadn’t heard of dal until I stumbled on Half Baked Harvest‘s version when I saw her Instagram post. Obviously enticed, I saved the recipe for the perfect time. I like making big batch meals and ones that are meatless. This Butternut Squash Tomato Indian Dal is just that; it’s cozy, spicy, hearty and filling. I served the dal with half of my two-ingredient flatbread because the Greek yogurt in the bread cut the spice of the dal and complimented it nicely.

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Dairy-Free, Entrée, Gluten-Free, Low Sugar, Meal Prep, One Pot Dish, Side, Slow Cooker, Soup, Vegan, Vegetarian

Slowly Cooking This Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Annie

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I LOVE this slow cooker method for making soup. I usually make this in a large soup pot, sauté the veggies in a little oil right there, add broth and let it simmer. By using a slow cooker, you skip the sautéing part and reduce the oil. I made a soup similar to this last fall, tossing whatever I had — apples, sweet potato, regular potatoes, carrots — into a big soup pot along with butternut squash; this time, I did the same thing in a slow cooker (way more fun). Enjoy as the main course or as a side, the result is a sweet, yet savory Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup that’s hands off minus the minimal prep of the produce in the beginning and puréeing at the end.

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"How To" Guides, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Meal Prep, Side, Soup, Vegan, Vegetarian

How to Tackle That Butternut Squash

Annie

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Every once in a while, I’ll do a how to guide. This summer I wrote about pineapple and mango — two summer produce that are typically costly to buy prepped and cut up. Plus, I love using the two of these for smoothies, snacks or toppings for overnight oats. But summer is over and fall is upon us, so I’ve traded my fruit for squash. I’ve already tackled delicata squash and spaghetti squash, so why not turn to the most beloved of all squashes: butternut squash.  Usually I roast squash and peel away the skin after, but I think this technique of peeling first saves a bit more of the squash and is less messy. After learning How to Peel & Cut Butternut Squash, I made a creamy fall bisque (obviously recipe here).

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Entrée, Gluten-Free, Meal Prep, One Pot Dish, Vegetarian

Very Decadent, Yet Very Easy Vegetable Risotto

Annie

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I love risotto. I think it’s really fun to make and almost a cathartic process with all the adding, mixing and stirring. It’s been a bit chilly in Boston (or at least I think so after coming from beautifully sunny weather on Sanibel Island), so this seemed like the perfect time to post Vegetable Risotto using zucchini, butternut squash and spinach. To stay in a true vegetarian nature, I used homemade vegetable stock, but have also used homemade chicken stock, which adds just as much flavor (see notes for how to). You’d never know cream or milk haven’t been added in. Mixing in freshly grated parmesan cheese still gives the risotto a decadent taste without being over-the-top and the butternut squash almost melts down to add a creamy texture to the risotto. Can I have seconds yet?

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Dairy-Free, Entrée, Gluten-Free, Meal Prep, One Pot Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Delectably Delicious Curry Soup

Annie
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Every winter, my mom would make a Butternut Squash Curry Soup. It was never quite the same each time she made it, but that’s what made it fun. Sometimes it’s with Swiss chard or spinach. Other times, she tossed in carrots or different types of squash. One time, it was so spicy to eat, your nose was running but in that there’s-so-much-flavor-I-can’t-get-enough sort of way. Served piping hot and with a melted, toasty sandwich, with a light salad or alone, this soup always brings me back to a happy place.

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Entrée, Gluten-Free, Italian, Lightened Up, Meal Prep, One Pot Dish, Seafood, Vegetarian

Ravenous for Winter Risotto

Annie

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Mmmm, this Butternut Squash Risotto with Parmesan, Peas, & Shrimp is delicious. What a wonderful winter (and gluten-free) dish. While time-consuming to make, it’s really not all that difficult. This would be easy, yet an impressive dish to serve when entertaining. Risotto is also so easy to add a twist to make it your own. You can make it meatless, add chicken, kale, zucchini, lobster, pancetta, mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, pumpkin, shaved Brussels sprouts . . .  and the list goes on. The key to making a good risotto is to add the broth hot so it takes less time to heat, to continue adding broth for the rice to absorb and to stir constantly. This makes the rice plump, decadent and a perfect dish.

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Dairy-Free, Entrée, Gluten-Free, Italian, One Pot Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

The Veggie Vision “Pasta”

Annie

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Spaghetti squash is my go-to cold weather meal. With the cool days moving in and socks and sweaters becoming abundant, a fall twist on your favorite and classic pasta dish is in order. To celebrate a “Meatless Monday,” I’ve added cannellini beans for protein, and butternut squash to utilize another fall favorite. Throw in your other favorite veggies, top with the marinara sauce of your choice and you have a light but hearty and savory meal! Thank you, rosemary, for this Fall Vegetable “Spaghetti.”

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