I'm on a mission. I tell people all the time that they're missing out on butternut squash. (At least the people who've never tried it before.) I encounter people all over...from coast to coast...who have never tried this golden gem of a fruit. (Although I think of it as a vegetable...it has seeds, so it's technically a fruit, right?) Whatever you want to call it...it's … [Read more...]
Savory Slow Cooker Chicken and Butternut Squash
This recipe is part of our 6th Costco Meal Plan: 20 Slow Cooker Freezer Packs from Costco for $150! We've been enjoying lots of butternut squash lately, after buying some at Kroger, then more at Aldi the next week for just $.59 each! We've had this...a beef stew with butternut ...and I made the same beef stew mix for the guys to enjoy while I'm out of town this … [Read more...]
Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Pecan Topping
Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Pecan Topping OK. So we all know that the squash in my garden were a big fat fail this year. I've come to grips with the situation, in large part because of the fabulous prices at the farmer's market for squash this fall. (You might remember Gigantor Squash.) Well, I picked up a smaller squash from the farmer's market on Thursday (more … [Read more...]
How to Cut and Freeze a Large Butternut Squash (Video)
Remember that giant butternut squash I bought at the farmer's market a month ago?! For just $3.50! Well, I finally got around to cutting it up...feel free to watch :) Steam-bake it. Then puree the flesh. Here are a few things you can do with the butternut squash puree. Make homemade baby food. Hide in the cheese sauce of homemade mac and cheese. … [Read more...]
Cranberry Pork Chops
I made this recipe what seems like EONS ago...but it really wasn't that long ago! But at the same time, it's been too long. Y'all know what I mean. These kiddos of mine have turned up the dial on "time"...to warp speed. (It's all happening too fast...they are growing up way to fast.) Again. I digress! Anyhoo. Made this using some fresh "holiday" (meaning … [Read more...]
Cranberry Chicken and Rice
So this meal was pretty good. Came out a little on the bitter side, so I just sprinkled a little sugar over the cranberries on everyone's plate and we were all happy! So...you could add a little extra sweetener in before you bake it, or you could do as I did. It really was tasty...after it was properly sweetened. And boy am I glad that I froze some fresh … [Read more...]
Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
I have really enjoyed experimenting with butternut squash recipes this year! This one is a keeper! A fantabulous side dish! Maple Roasted Butternut Squash 1 large butternut squash (about 2-3 pounds) ($1.50)1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil ($.10)1/4 cup maple syrup (free - $1)Few dashes each of ground cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice ($.15) Chop … [Read more...]
Balsamic Chicken with Caramelized Onions
I use olive oil. A lot of it. It's my preferred choice of "oil" for cooking. So it's a definite BONUS when there are extra savings available for olive oil. Now on to the sweet caramelized onions... Balsamic Chicken with Caramelized Onions 1 package chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs) ($2.33)1/3 cup olive oil ($.40)1/3 cup … [Read more...]
How to Roast Pumpkin and Squash Seeds
1. Scoop seeds from squash or pumpkin. Remove as much of the flesh attached to the seeds as you can. If there's a little left, that's OK! 2. Spread seeds out on cookie sheet or in shallow metal baking pan in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with chili powder and garlic salt. Eyeball it! (Amounts will vary depending on how many seeds you are … [Read more...]
Baked Italian Chicken
BEFORE AFTER I'm often asked...well, how much do your kids eat? How much do you give them? How about a "visual" answer to that question. Above is my 2 year old's plate. Before and After. He nearly polished off the chicken, almost all of the peas and squash, and ate at least half of his rice...before declaring himself, … [Read more...]