Thursday, February 27, 2014

Warm Lentil Salad


This lentil salad has almost become a staple in our house. The only problem is that we rarely have much left over so it's usually gone the second day. Maybe next time I should double the recipe...

Lentils are great as a side dish with fish or chicken, or you can have them as more of a main dish, with a side salad or roasted vegetables. These little legumes are quite versatile, and they're packed full of nutrients!

Lentils contain: Fiber, Folate, Magnesium, B-Vitamins, Iron, Potassium and Protein.
Plus, they help to stabilize blood sugar - so no afternoon crash if you eat these guys for lunch!


Warm Lentil Salad (serves 4-6 as a side dish)
Ingredients:
2T plus 1/4C Olive Oil
2 Leeks, sliced 1/4" thick
2 Carrots, diced
1t Garlic, minced
1C Dried Lentils, rinsed. Sprouted lentils are great!
4C Broth (I like to use homemade veggie or duck broth)
3t Dijon Mustard
2T Red Wine Vinegar
Salt & Pepper

Directions:
- Rinse the lentils, and pick out any stones or discolored lentils.
- Cook the lentils: Bring broth to a boil, then add lentils and lower the heat. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, until lentils are soft.
- While lentils are cooking, heat the olive oil in a saute pan. Add the leeks and carrots, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. When soft, add the garlic and cook for another minute. Set aside.
- When lentil are done, drain (reserve the broth to drink if you want) and put lentils in a mixing bowl with the veggies.
- For the dressing, combine the remaining olive oil with the mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. I like to do this in a small jar with a screw-top lid, and give it a good shake to combine the ingredients. Pour the dressing over the lentils and stir.
- Allow the lentils to cool slightly, about 10 minutes, and serve warm. They also can be put in the fridge and eaten cold or room temperature later.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Mashed Butternut Squash


I realize the title of this recipe may not sound all that appealing, but I promise it tastes delicious! I made this as a side dish at our Christmas dinner, and it was a bit hit with everyone. But it's not just for a holiday meal, you can easily make this recipe any night of the week. I perused the internet to find a squash dish to make, and came across this one. With a few small tweaks, it worked perfectly for us!

The finished product. Yum!

Sautéed apples and onions. Not so photogenic, but smells amazing!

Mashed Butternut Squash (serves 8-10, approx 1 hour to make)
Ingredients:
- 4lbs of Butternut Squash (this is about 2 medium-sized squash)
- 2T Unsalted Butter
- 2 Apples, cored and diced
- 1 Yellow Onion, diced
- Salt
- 1 Clove of Garlic, minced
- 1/2t Cinnamon
- 1/2t Coriander
- 1/2t Cumin
- 1/8t Cayenne Pepper

Directions:
- Set the oven temperature to 375.
- Rinse and dry the outside of the squash, then cut in half lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds. Line a baking sheet in tin foil, and place the squash cut side down. Bake under the squash is tender, keeping in mind that the neck will take longer than the bulb. It should take 35-45 minutes, depending on the size.
- Meanwhile, in a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the apples and onions with a dash of salt. Cover, and cook until onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the cover and continue to sauté until the onions turn golden brown, about 10 minutes longer. Add the garlic and spices and stir to combine. When fragrant, about 30 seconds, remove from heat and set aside.
- When squash is done, scrape it out of the skin and add it to the pot. Use a large spoon or potato masher to mix and mash it all up.
- Serve and enjoy!

What's your favorite way to enjoy squash? Tell us in the comments!