Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti Squash

You can make pretty much anything delicious by making it "cacio e pepe" and this was no exception. Yum! It's so, so tasty. Sort of like a spicy macaroni and cheese. It's a little decadent, but only a little (no carbs, after all). I can't wait to make it again. It's so warm and cheesy and delicious!

Serves 2
Ingredients:
1 medium-sized spaghetti squash
1 1/2 cups loosely packed, freshly grated pecorino cheese
1/2 tbsp whole black peppercorns
1 1/2 tbsp butter
salt
olive oil

Roasted Butternut Squash Puree

This is so good! I couldn't stop "tasting" it to make sure it was seasoned correctly. Yum! Often butternut squash gets a sweet treatment with brown sugar or maple syrup, or the classic pairing with sage and brown butter. This pairing with roasted garlic, thyme, and a hint of spice is just awesome. Roasting everything gives a great, deep flavor. Can't wait to make it again!

Ingredients:

1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1" cubes

2 garlic cloves (skin on)

a few springs of thyme

pinch of smoked paprika

pinch of cayenne pepper

salt and pepper

olive oil

1 tbsp butter

1/4-1/2 cup whole milk, warm

Directions:

Roasted Butternut Squash with Cardamom and Lime

This is another great recipe from Ottolenghi. I love butternut squash, and in this recipe it takes on a really different flavor than the usual roasted squash. 

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

2 limes

1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lb)

2 tbsp cardamom pods

1 tsp ground allspice

1/2 cup greek yogurt

2 1/2 tsp tahini

1 tbsp lime juice

1 green chile, thinly sliced

2/3 cup picked cilantro leaves

Roasted Acorn Squash with Spicy Maple Butter

When the weather gets cold, I love roasted acorn squash. It's so good roasted with just butter and brown sugar, but I played around with that mix a little last night. I made a compound butter with butter, maple syrup, cayenne, chili powder, and smoked paprika, and a few other spices. You could also use chipotle powder - anything really. It's so easy, and the squash is tender and flavorful. Great side dish.

Chipotle Butternut and Acorn Squash Soup

This is a great, warming soup. The two squashes are sweet and the chipotle is spicy and smoky. (You can also add more or less chipotle depending how spicy you want it - or smoked paprika if you don't want any spice.)

Ingredients:

4 cups chicken stock (I used this)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 carrot, peeled and diced

1 onion, diced

1 celery stick, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp cumin

1 tbsp chipotle powder (or start at 1/2 tbsp and move forward)

1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed, and cut into 1" cubes

1 acorn squash, peeled, seeds removed, and cut into 1" cubes

1 yukon gold potato, peeled and cut into 1" cubes

1/2 cup whole milk

1/4 tsp cider vinegar