Butternut Squash Soup

Here's another wonderful winter soup, not a ton of ingredients, but ones that are in season and should be taken advantage of then they are here! A great combination of Acorn Squash with Butternut Squash and a hint of sweetness from the Orange Sweet Potatoes- a perfect combination!

Ingredients:

1 clove garlic, minced

2 TBSP grape seed oil

1/2 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

3 medium sweet potatoes, cubed

1 small-med. butternut squash

1 large acorn squash

4 cups of chicken broth

1/8 tsp curry powder

4 TBSP sour cream

s & p

This is what it looks like after simmering, before you puree it...

Directions:

Bake your squash on a roasting pan or cookie sheet on 375 for about 45 minutes- 1 hour (you can leave them whole, you just need to slice them in half and scoop out the seeds when they are done cooking and throw them away). Pierce them with a fork, when they are tender, remove them and let them cool until you can touch them. In a large soup pot, add your garlic, onion, and oil and saute for a few minutes. Add your sweet potatoes, carrots, curry and chicken broth and bring them to a boil. Let them cook for about 10 minutes, then add the flesh from your squash. Cover it and let it simmer for another 3o minutes. Puree your soup with a hand wand or a blender. Add s & p to taste and a dollop of sour cream to each bowl before you serve it.

Molasses Crinkles...

OKAY- there are a million things left to do, but I couldn't help posting this new recipe that I tried today for Molasses Crinkles. I was searching for one that didn't have any shortening in it, and I stumbled upon these. I made a few changes and thought they turned out pretty darn delicious. I was later affirmed in that "darn delicious thought" when my husband came home and ate 5 of them.... did I mention he doesn't like sweets???? SLOW DOWN Buddy- those are Santa's cookies!!!

Here's the recipe, they have a wonderful combination of spices, they are dark golden in color and they are topped with sparkly sugar and cute little crinkles... you will love them too!

Ingredients

2 TBSP butter, melted

2 TBSP coconut oil (or vegetable oil)

1/3 cup dark molasses

1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed

1 large egg

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 TBSP cinnamon

1.5 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp. salt

white sugar to top the cookies with

(please excuse the random placement all over the cookie sheet- my 2 year was helping make these for Santa!!)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl add your melted butter and coconut oil, your molasses, brown sugar, egg and vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl combine your flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt and sift until it's evenly blended. Then mix your dry ingredients into your wet. Mix well. Spoon out your dough and roll into 1 inch balls, then dip the tops of them into your white sugar. (I pour a little white sugar onto a salad plate and use that for dipping). Then place on your ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart and bake for 12-14 minutes. Remove and let them cool on a wire rack. They come out crinkled and chewy- yum!

Ideas for Christmas Morning...

I usually like to have something pre-made for breakfast on Christmas morning, something I can heat in the oven or something simple that doesn't take a lot of time so I can focus on my family and not cooking. I usually make one of the following dishes:

• My Grandma's Spanish Potato Omelet- I make this the night before and then just warm it up in the oven the morning of. It's super filling and easy to serve in "pie pieces" or cut into cubes to snack on.
• This yummy Breakfast Strata- you make this the night before, again, really simple, it takes about 10 minutes to put it together, then you refrigerate it over night and heat it in the oven the next morning.
• And if you have guests coming over, you might enjoy something simple like these Banana Muffins or Blueberry ones... or you could even slice up some banana bread and have it out if you are having guests or want a treat for your family.
• I am trying a new recipe this year for Pumpkin Nut Muffins with Raisins. I don't usually post a recipe before trying it, but I won't be trying it until Christmas Eve, so if anyone else wants to try something new, give this recipe a go- from the looks of it I think it should be very festive and tasty... we shall see!

Pumpkin Nut Muffins with Raisins:

2 eggs beaten

3/4 cup brown sugar

3 TBSP honey

1 can pumpkin

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1/3 cup water

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup all purpose flour

1.5 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

1/2 cup raisins

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, beat your eggs and add your sugar, honey, pumpkin, coconut oil and water. Then in a separate bowl, sift your flours, spices, baking soda & powder and salt. Then pour your dry ingredients into your wet and stir well. Add your nuts and raisins and mix well. Scoop into lined muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes. You can add a sprinkle of cinnamon & sugar mixture to the top if you desire.

Joe's Special

Looking for something simple and fast??? Here's an easy & quick recipe that's packed with protein and fresh greens- you can serve it anytime a day... breakfast, lunch or dinner... and it's easy to embellish if you want to add your favorites to it!

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs of ground turkey

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 onion, finely chopped

4 cups fresh spinach

4-5 crimini mushrooms, chopped

4-6 eggs, scrambled

s & p

drizzle of grape seed oil or olive oil

Directions:

Drizzle some oil in your large skillet, add your onion, mushrooms and garlic and let it saute for a moment, then add your ground turkey and break it up and season it with s & p. Let it brown on one side, then turn it over and let it cook another 3 minutes. Then add your spinach and let it cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to wilt. Next, scramble your eggs in a separate bowl and pour it over the mixture, stirring it well until the egg cooks thoroughly (like a scrambled egg). You're done! Serve it as a breakfast dish, or reheat it for lunch, or choose it for dinner with some sliced french bread. Enjoy!

Favorite Holiday Treats...

Here's a recap on some Holiday Favorites I have posted in the past... the first 3 recipes are super simple, just take a few minutes to make and are great if you have little helpers that want to join you! The later two recipes take a little more time, but are well worth the effort- they are both delicious! Try your hand at these if you are looking for a sweet treat to bring along to friends, neighbors, or holiday gatherings this Christmas Season...

5 Minute Fudge

Peanut Clusters

Chocolate and Carmel Turtles

Hazelnut & Dried Cherry Biscotti

Peppermint Cookies

Molasses Crinkles

Turkey Minestrone Soup

Here's another great recipe passed on from my mom. She's a great cook, always trying new things and passing on the good ones to me :) Perfect for a chilly day... enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery, chopped

8 cups chicken broth

1 can diced tomatoes or 1 cup fresh chopped

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 cup orzo

1 can white beans

2 handfuls fresh spinach

s & p

** optional: handful of parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top

Directions:

Take out your large stock pot for making soup, add a drizzle of oil, your garlic, onion, carrots, celery and ground turkey and let it saute until your meat looses its pink color. Next add your seasoning, then your chicken broth, canned or fresh tomatoes, beans and orzo and let it cook for another 8 minutes. Lastly, add your spinach and let it simmer for about another 5 minutes or so then serve!

Throat Coat Tea...

Here's one of my favorite things to help with a sore throat if you are fighting one... it's called "Organic Throat Coat" tea and you can find it at your local grocery or health food store. It's made by Traditional Medicinals. I use it when my throat is sore, scratchy, or just when I want some yummy tea because it has great flavor and is really soothing. It is caffeine free so you can sip on it day or night. Give it a go this winter, see what you think!