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Butternut Squash Risotto

October 15, 2019

Risotto is one of those foods that demands a long, leisurely approach. It is a labor of love and shouldn’t be rushed. Butternut squash risotto is version of this dish that I come back to again and again. This fall vegetable, featured in my butternut squash arugula salad is one of our favorites.

Roasting the squash brings out it’s natural sweetness, making it even more delicious.

The whole key to risotto is the slow process allowing the creaminess of the rice to come out and that can only be achieved by taking your time. The frequent stirring and actively watching the pot can be a welcome change of pace from the frenzied dinner preparation most of us normally experience.

This is comfort food on every conceivable level. On days when you need a bit of a mental break, I wholeheartedly recommend making risotto. A bit of stirring while you lovingly watch the pot of rice in front of you transform into something creamy and ethereal may be just what you need.

Some people may feel intimidated by making risotto. Don’t be – it really isn’t more than pouring in a bit of stock and stirring for the better part of the cooking.

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Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe with Sausage

September 3, 2019

Stuffed acorn squash with sausage is one of those perfect fall dinners or side dish that everyone loves. Filled with savory Italian sausage, spinach and wild rice, it is a comforting and satisfying dinner. To serve it as a side, choose smaller acorn squash. These smaller servings would be perfect for your holiday table. For a no meat option, try my vegetarian stuffed acorn squash.

The acorn squash flesh takes on an almost buttery texture when roasted. The caramelized squash is sweet and it is so tender and soft that it practically melts in your mouth.

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Dinner Divas: Week 16 – One Pot Wonders

August 4, 2017

One Pot dinners are the busy weekday’s salvation. We are quickly approaching “Back to School” and we’re here to help get dinner on the table quickly and without too many pots and pans to clean up afterwards.

How it works: Every Friday morning, a new meal plan will show up in your email. It will consist of 5 dinner options, plus 2 extras. Those two extras could be side dishes, dessert, drinks, etc. The Dinner Divas weekly menu plans will feature (mostly) healthy, seasonal foods that don’t take all day to prepare. Getting the weekly menu delivered to your inbox on Friday morning gives you the chance to make your shopping list and get organized for the week ahead. I’d love to hear from you & see your creations! Post a pic using #DinnerDivas and tag @pookspantry! I hope this weekly menu plan provides inspiration and makes life a little easier… one meal at a time.

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11 of My Very Best Fall Recipes

October 7, 2016

Crisp fall air and leaves turning shades of red and burnished orange, the crackle of them under your feet as you walk down the street with hands snuggled deep inside your pockets. Autumn is by far my favorite season. The temperatures begin to cool down at night, calling for an extra blanket or a down comforter. This is something I miss now that I live south of the Mason Dixon line. It’s only been 3 and a half years, but I doubt I’ll ever really get used to the lack of (distinguishable) seasons.

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Food Friends

September 20, 2016

Greetings, All! I am away in Idaho this week with my friends from Idaho Potato! In lieu of posting a new recipe, I wanted to share some awesome recipes from my super talented friends.

I do hope you will check out their recipes, as I happen to think they are pretty great! Besides being amazing in the kitchen, they are good humans and I am lucky to know them. I can’t wait to tell you all about Idaho and the fun things happening there right now! I’m updating and sharing pics on social media every day, so if you want to see what we’re up to, check out my Facebook page, Instagram account or Twitter feed for the latest shenanigans.

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Summer Grain Salad with Rainbow Carrots, Heirloom Tomatoes and Herbs

May 29, 2016

This grain salad is full of summer vegetables. Whole grains provide a satisfying, chewy texture to this salad, while the vegetables give it great crunch. Herbs and red wine vinaigrette make this salad super flavorful.
It’s the unofficial start to summer and you know what that means: dining alfresco! Whether it be picnics, backyard BBQ’s or lunch hours outside on a bench while soaking up a little sunshine, this grain salad with it’s rainbow of colors has you covered.

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Winter Squash Recipes

November 10, 2012

Winter squash recipes make up a big part of our menu during the colder months of the year. Use whatever squash you like. I found this gorgeous hubbard squash at a farmer’s market and had to have it.

Stuffed Hubbard squash is the perfect Meatless Monday meal for cold temperatures. Stuffed with wild rice, baby kale and golden raisins, it is a healthy and filling dinner. Ready in about an hour, mostly hands-off cooking time, this is a great low key recipe.

The past two weeks have been a weather nightmare here and we are all in need of a little comfort. For me, that usually comes in the form of something warm from the oven. This particular time, the oven also served as heat for my apartment. I had purchased a perfect little Hubbard squash and since I had lost my heat it seemed an opportune time to do something with it.

If you have never had Hubbard squash before, you are in for a treat. The flesh is slightly drier than acorn or butternut and it is a bit earthier in flavor. The bluish-gray color and deep orange flesh is beautiful and makes for a striking contrast. Any kind of roasted squash is, for me, the perfect fall food and if you are the type that likes to change up for your holiday menu this would be a great addition to the meal. As I have professed before on this very blog, I am NOT the type to change my menu, but adding to it is absolutely permissible.

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