roasted kabocha squash soup

really good. a little too much spices (maybe it was the ginger) for the kids, but we really enjoyed it.

roasted kabocha squash soup
serves 8 

1 kabocha squash, seeded (3-4 lbs)
1 tbsp olive oil
salt

1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
2 cups chopped or sliced onions
2 ribs celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 in piece ginger, peeled and grated
1 1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
4 cups chicken stock
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Use a good sharp knife to cut the seeded kabocha squash into several large pieces. Place the squash pieces on a roasting pan. Brush all sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Put the pieces skin side up on the pan. Roast for 45-60 mins, until completely cooked through, soft and caramelized at the edges. Remove from oven and set aside.

Heat olive oil on medium high heat in a large pot. Add the onions and celery. Lower the heat to medium and cook until softened, 8-10 mins. Add the garlic, ginger, cumin and coriander and cook two minutes more.

Once the squash is cool enough to handle, remove and discard the skin. Place the roasted squash flesh into the pot with the onions and celery. Add the stock, salt and pepper. Increase heat to high to bring the soup to a simmer, then lower the heat to low, partially cover and cook for 8-10 mins.

Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender (or work in batches with a standing blender) to puree the soup. Add more salt to taste.

crispy baked chicken

Known in our house as Amazing Chicken, from its original recipe.

crispy baked chicken
makes 4 servings

4 chicken thighs
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs or panko

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease a baking dish.

Brush chicken on all sides with mayonnaise, and roll in bread crumbs or panko until coated. Place coated breasts into the prepared pan.

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle, and the juices run clear.

banana pancakes

what I do when we have brown bananas

banana pancakes

1 cup flour
1 tbsp white sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg, beaten
1 cup buttermilk (or milk)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate, larger bowl, mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil and bananas.

Stir flour mixture into banana mixture; batter will be slightly lumpy.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Cook until pancakes are golden brown on both sides; serve hot.

chocolate zucchini muffins

I used these as cupcakes for one of our kids' birthdays, topped with some cream and fruit. 

chocolate zucchini muffins

4 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted
3 eggs
1 3/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup apple sauce
2 cups flour (white or whole wheat)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups grated zucchini
3/4 chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, beat eggs with sugar for about 10 minutes or until thickened and pale. Blend oil and cooled chocolate into the egg mixture.

In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture until just blended. Stir in zucchini and chopped nuts. Using an ice cream scoop, spoon batter into 24 paper lined or greased muffin cups, filling the cups 2/3 full.

Bake for 20 minutes or until fork or toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean. Let cool in pans on rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, let cool completely.

black bean soup

Super easy, slow cooker recipe. I served this alongside some baked potatoes.

black bean soup

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 medium carrots,chopped
1 lb uncooked, dry black beans
1 cup salsa
1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tbsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups water

Optional garnishes:
sliced scallions
shredded cheddar cheese
avocado chunks
sour cream

Rinse beans under cool water and pick out any stones or debris.

Combine garlic, onion, celery, carrots, black beans, salsa, chili powder, cumin, oregano, broth and water i a 5-7 quart slow cooker. Stir well.

Cook on high for 6-8 hours. Once the beans are very soft, blend the soup until it is thick and creamy (leave some beans whole if desired). Taste the soup and add salt if needed.

Garnish with scallions, cheese, avocado or a dollop of sour cream.

shrimp scampi pasta

a much welcome meal after eating seemingly-endless leftovers for a week. everyone ate it up!

shrimp scampi pasta
makes 6 servings

1/4 cup olive oil
1 lb peeled and deveined raw shrimp
4 large garlic cloves, finely minced
1 red bell pepper, finely sliced and chopped (optional)
1/2 tsp dried hot red-pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 lb pasta noodles (linguine, spaghetti or fettucine)
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan (optional)

Boil water for pasta in a 6-8 quart pot.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a 12 inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot, but not smoking. Then saute shrimp, turning over once, until just cooked through, about 2 mins and transfer with a slotted spoon to a large bowl.

Add garlic to remaining oil in skillet and saute for 1 min, or until fragrant. Add in red bell peppers and saute for a few mins, until almost tender. Add wine, salt and pepper and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Add butter to skillet, stirring until melted and stir in shrimp. Remove skillet from heat.

Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander. Toss pasta well with shrimp mixture, parsley and half of parmesan cheese Add some of the reserved cooking water if necessary to thicken the sauce.

roasted herb sweet potatoes

yummy.

roasted herb sweet potatoes
makes 4 servings

3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tsp dried oregano
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
salt
olive oil

Preheat oven to 375. (I was also baking something else, so mine were baked at 450 for ~20 mins, and then 350 for another 20, and it was scrumptious!)

Combine all ingredients and lay out on a baking pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 mins.