Joe’s Quinoa and Kale Stuffed Acorn Squash

Submitted by Joe
Serves 2

Ingredients

1 acorn squash ½ c. quinoa
1 c. water 1 bunch kale
3 tbsp butter salt, pepper, & red chili pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut the acorn squash in half, remove the seeds & clean out the center. Add salt & pepper to the flesh of the squash & place 1 tbsp of butter into the cavity of each squash half.
2. Once the oven is ready, place the squash flesh side up on a baking sheet or casserole dish & bake for 45 minutes.
3. Put the quinoa into a bowl or container & fill it with water until the quinoa is covered. Set aside.
4. Remove the stalks from the kale & discard them. Rough chop the kale leaves & place into a skillet over medium heat along with 1 tbsp of butter. Add salt, pepper, & crushed red pepper to taste & saute until the kale is dark green & wilted, approximately 5-10 minutes.
5. Drain the water from the quinoa. Pour 1 c. of water in a pot, salt the water liberally & bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the quinoa & kale, stirring together. Place a cover on the pot & reduce the heat to low.
6. Remove the squash from the oven. Spoon the quinoa & kale mixture into the cavity of each squash half & serve.

Chef’s Note: Spinach can be substituted for kale if desired.

Joe’s Butternut Squash Risotto

Joe's Butternut Squash Risotto
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Side Dish
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 1 c. butternut squash, cubed
  • 1 c. Arborio rice
  • 3 c. hot vegetable stock
  • ⅓ c. dry white wine
  • ¼ c. Parmesan cheese, grated
  • ¼ c. Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
  • ½ onion, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • salt & ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Place squash cubes & 1 tbsp of butter into a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally until cooked through (roughly 10 minutes) then remove from heat & set aside.
  2. Melt remaining butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion & garlic; cook & stir for 2 minutes until they begin to soften, then stir in the rice. Continue cooking & stirring until the rice is glossy from the butter, & the onion begins to brown on the edges, about 5 minutes more.
  3. Pour in the white wine; cook, stirring constantly, until it has evaporated. Stir in ⅓ of the hot vegetable stock; reduce heat to medium. Cook & stir until the stock has been absorbed by the rice, 5 to 7 minutes. Add half of the remaining stock, & continue stirring until it has been absorbed.
  4. Finally, pour in the remaining stock & butternut squash, & continue stirring until the risotto is creamy. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, & season to taste with salt & pepper. Finally top each individual serving with Pecorino Romano cheese.

 

Photo Courtesy of Warren Layton on Flickr

Cheesy Rice Casserole

Marilyn Says: This is a great side dish – goes well with ham.

Cheesy Rice Casserole
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cook time: 
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Ingredients
  • 1 c. raw long grain rice
  • ¾ lb. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • ¾ lb. cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 16 oz. sour cream
  • 7 oz. green chilies, chopped
  • ½ tsp salt
Instructions
  1. Bring to a boil 2 c. water (½ tsp salt added). Add rice; stir well & cover. When it comes to a boil, turn to low & cover for 50 minutes without lifting the lid.
  2. Spray a 3 qt. oven-proof casserole with nonstick vegetable spray. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  3. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together. Bake in preheated oven 45 minutes uncovered. Serve hot as a side dish.

 

Zucchini Relish

Michelle Says: This is better than pickle relish!

Zucchini Relish
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Condiments
Prep time: 
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Ingredients
  • 10 c. small-medi zucchini
  • 4 c. onions
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 green pepper
  • 4 tbsp salt
  • 2½ c. apple cider vinegar
  • 3 c. sugar
  • 1 tbsp nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp dry mustard
  • 1 tbsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
  1. Grind or chop finely the zucchini, onions, red & green peppers. Add salt.
  2. Let stand in a covered bowl overnight. After letting stand, drain & rinse in cold water. Drain again.
  3. Add remainder of ingredients. Cook 30 minutes until hot & lightly bubbling, stirring often.
  4. To seal in jars, place mixture into scalding pint jars. Close with hot seals & place, upside down, on a clean town until cool.

 

Photo Credit: Katrin Gilger | Flickr

Mashed Cauliflower

Crystal & Nicole Say: The original recipe was from the South Beach diet and called for 1 oz. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! spray & 1 oz. Land ‘O Lakes Gourmet Fat-Free Half & Half.  We tweaked it to what we had & our tastes.

Mashed Cauliflower
 
Author: 
Nutrition Information
  • Serves: 4
  • Serving size: 1
  • Calories: 81
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5 g
  • Sodium: 82 mg
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 4 mg
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 4 c. cauliflower florets
  • 3 tbsp light "fake" butter
  • ¼ c. skim milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Steam or microwave the cauliflower until soft.
  2. Puree in a food processor, adding the milk & butter to taste.
  3. Season with salt & pepper.