Butternut Squash Five VERY Different Ways

Once fall hits the homemaker in me is amplified by like a zillion. I want to cook, and bake, and try a bunch of fun recipes. Perhaps it is the Christmas lover inside of me trying to prepare for the excessive eating that comes with the wonderful holiday season… looking forward to that for sure. Let’s not use the dirty word “gluttony”… rather an appreciation for culinary achievements. Sounds way better. 

Anyway, today I am linking up with The Good Life Blog and I decided to talk all about one of my favorite things – food! I enjoy cooking in season and I love, love butternut squash. So all week I have been up to my elbows in the stuff. It was pretty fun trying all of these oh so different recipes. 

Here we go. Butternut squash five different ways!

1. Twice Baked Butternut Squash

So I found a recipe for twice baked butternut squash months ago and I thought it sounded delicious. When I finally got around to actually making it today I decided there was room for improvement. So I took away some ingredients and added some. I changed all the spices... I pretty much made it a different recipe. Yes, I have actually become one of those people. Who would have thought.

I added butter and cream. The two things that make everything delicious. I guess I got that from my husband. Whenever he cooks for me those are the two top ingredients on the list. His cooking could put cellulite on supermodels.

Anyway, this was seriously a yummy invention!

Butternut squash
1 T sour cream
3 T butter
3 T heavy cream
1 tsp chives
1/2 tsp cinammon
1/2 tsp cayenne
Bread crumbs (as many as you like, toasted in a skillet with butter... yum)

This is super easy. You just bake the squash until it is soft enough to pierce with a fork. Then dig out the insides so that you still have enough shell to maintain the shape of the squash. Put all of the ingredients together except the bread (you could add cheese too. I didn't think of it. But now I think it would be delicious).

Since I don't like the stringy texture of squash that much, I threw everything in my vitamix for a few minutes. It came out so creamy and smooth. Then you just scoop the yummy filling into the shell and throw the breadcrumbs on top. Easy, yummy, and gourmet looking. You really can't beat that!

Bake at 450 for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Enjoy!

 2. Butternut Bisque

This is seriously one of my favorite recipes! It has such a wonderful flavor. You can make a huge batch of it and it freezes great. I like to add a little extra cayenne to give it a kick. 

·  3 tablespoons butter

·  1 medium onion, coarsely chopped

·  2 garlic cloves, sliced

·  1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

·  1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·  1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper plus more for garnish (optional)

·  Coarse salt

·  1 large butternut squash (about 4 pounds), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes

·  1 can (14 1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth

·  1 cup half-and-half

·  1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Since it is late and my hubby is already sleeping (therefore I am not going to type everything out) go here for all of the details on how to make this delicious bisque.

 3. Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas

I happened upon this recipe in my meal planning app on my phone. It is a great autumn back up meal and really tasty. It has more cans than I usually cook with but if you make your own black beans then that eliminates one :) The adobo soaked peppers have such a a great flavor and carry a really nice kick. If you like spicy, cheesy, deliciousness, then you will like this!

1 (pound) 1 (pound) butternut squash, cubed
2 (tablespoon) 2 (tablespoon) olive oil
8 (whole) corn tortillas, sliced in half
1-2 (whole) chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce, chopped 
1 (15.0 ounce can) black beans, drained and rinsed
2 (10.0 ounce can) diced tomatoes with green chilis, in liquid
1 (cup) 1 (cup) monterey jack cheese

Click here for the step by step instructions and enjoy!

4. Butternut Squash Breakfast Smoothie

Did you know that butternut squash is insanely good for you? It is packed full of vitamins and fiber... especially when it is raw. So to avoid munching on a raw hunk of squash I made a super tasty breakfast smoothie. Don't be freaked out by the slightly greenish color... it is just from spinach.

1 wedge of butternut squash (this is about a quarter of one side of the squash)
1 apple
1/2 banana
Handful of spinach
1/2 frozen peach
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Just throw it all in the blender and enjoy your nutritious and delicious breakfast.

 5. Butternut Squash Pudding

Can I just say yummmm. This pudding is so amazing. It is like caramel, butterscotch heaven in your mouth. And it is so easy and fun. You need to make this. You will think it is a truly wonderful invention and experience.

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons corn starch
1 cup roasted butternut squash purée
2 cups half and half
pinch of salt
3 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

Click here for the instructions on how to make this delightful concoction.You will not regret it!

Happy cooking this weekend!

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