Butternut Squash Soup From Organic Marin Cookbook

I've been seeing all the pumpkins and different kinds of squash in the grocery stores lately, and it inspired me to make some Butternut Squash soup. This soup is such a great one to make on a chilly fall day, and it's also one of my favorites.

This recipe comes from a beautiful book that I bought a few years ago, Organic Marin. It's filled with delicious recipes, and inspiring photos that will make you want to go in the kitchen and start cooking.
I've also seen this at the library, so if you come across it there, be sure and check it out, I know you'll enjoy it.

I just love butternut squash, and use it in lots of recipes during the fall and winter. And it's super healthy for you.

I roasted two squashes, and will freeze the squash from one of them to make soup again in a couple of weeks. It freezes very well, and it's so handy to roast two at the same time.

Pair this with a light salad, and some crusty warm bread for a delicious fall dinner.

Recipe for Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large butternut squash (about 3 pounds) halved and seeded
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
6 cloves garlic
4 thyme sprigs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 shallots, chopped
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Rub the olive oil over the cut sides of the squash and season with 1/4 of the salt and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper. Place the squash, cut side down, on the prepared pan. Tuck the garlic cloves and thyme sprigs under the cavity of the squash. Roast the squash for 50 to 60 minutes, until the squash is soft and caramelized. Remove from the oven and let cool. Reserve the garlic cloves and discard the thyme. Scoop the butternut squash flesh from the skin, coarsely chop and set aside.

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onions and shallots for 7 to 10 minutes, until they begin to brown. Add the roasted squash, the reserved garlic cloves, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until the squash begins to caramelize and stick to the bottom of the pan. Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a boil, then decrease the heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Puree the soup until smooth with a hand-help blender or in a food processor. Return to the pan if necessary and stir in the cream. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Serves 6 as a first course.

Make A Halloween Craft From Martha Stewart

                 
I love crafts, with or without the kids. It is fun to do them with the kids, but sometimes I need a grown up craft to make me feel "crafty." When I am looking for crafting ideas I like to turn to Martha Stewart. My Mom adores Martha and says she knew her way back when. Because my Mom has so much admiration for Martha Stewart, I do too. Her projects are relatively simple and always classic. I found this Bat Mobile from the Indoor Halloween Decorations page and knew it was the one for me to make this season. I love simple, black and I love things I can find for free, like the tree branch that the bats are dangling from.

Here is the original from Martha's site. 

                                

And here is my attempt at making the "Bat Mobile"

 I found a stick off of one of our trees outside and sprayed it with black spray paint.

 

 

While the spray paint dried, I printed out the bat template provided and got some black post board out. Card stock can be expensive so I just got a piece of black poster board at 2 for a $1.00 and cut it into pieces. 

Then I cut out the template, traced them by folding the paper in half. She gives you half of the bat so that you can trace it and both sides be equal. 

Last I got my dry branch, fishing string, and hole punch. I didn't punch it all the way through the paper, just punctured it a bit so I could slide the fishing string in. I hung the bats up randomly and at different lengths.

Here is my finished product! I hung it high enough over the sliding glass door to the deck so that the children couldn't reach it. It was late by the end of the day when I got it finished so there is a shadow from the light. But I think that makes it look a little spooky!

 

 

 

 

 

This was originally published 10/16/12

Glazed Pumpkin Bread

 

If it's fall, you can bet I'm busy in the kitchen making pumpkin bread. I just adore eating it, and a cup of tea with a slice of this bread in the afternoon is my idea of heaven.

 

This recipe is easy to make, and adding the powdered sugar glaze makes it even more delicious. I don't roast my own pumpkin, but use the canned kind, which is just as good in my book, and so much easier. The recipe makes two loaves.

 

As yummy as this is to eat at home, it makes a wonderful gift for a friend, neighbor, or even a surprise gift for your child's teacher. Either way, it's delicious, and a perfect way to embrace the fall season. 

 

 

Recipe for Glazed Pumpkin Bread

 

Ingredients:

 

3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. each nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon
1 1/2 c. each granulated sugar and packed brown sugar
1 c. oil
2 c. canned pumpkin
4 eggs

For glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

 

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Add the sugars, mixing well.

Mix dry ingredients with the oil and pumpkin, stirring until well combined.Add eggs, one at a time, blending thoroughly. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9 1/2 x 5 1/4-inch loaf pans.Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes. Remove from pans. Place on wire rack to cool.
To make glaze, stir powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together in a small bowl. With a spoon, drizzle glaze over cooled loaves.

 

Makes 2 loaves.

 

RSVP for #SpookySnacks Twitter Party





 

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

 

                     Photo Credit: http://fancyshanty.com/2014/10/fanta-orange-scream-halloween-party/

Do you love a good Twitter Party?  You know I do and we’re excited to host a party to chat about how Oreo, Wheat Thins, Fanta, and Dasani products are the ultimate Halloween snacking solution!  On Friday, October 24 at 2:00 pm ET, please join us for the  #SpookySnacks Twitter Party where we’ll be discussing trick or treating snacking and giving you a chance to win prizes!

One of my very favorite holidays is Halloween and the house is already decorated with pumpkins, ghosts, and skeletons. My grandchildren have their costumes, and their excitement for the day makes me excited, too. Along with dressing up, we always love enjoying some great treats and delicious beverages. That's actually one of my favorites parts of Halloween, all the food and drinks!! This will be another great Twitter party with tons of great Halloweeen ideas, and we will all walk away hungry and thirsty!

Join me and RSVP for the #SpookySnacks Twitter Party on SoFabChats!

 

 

DATE:  Friday, October 24
 



TIME:  2:00 – 3:00 PM ET

PRIZES:  5 – $100 Walmart Gift Cards


EARLY BIRD PRIZE: 1 – $50 Walmart Gift Card


HOSTS: @blm03, @BabytoBoomer, @MsMissy62, @FrugalFamTree, @_Karen

RULES: #SpookySnacks Twitter Party Official Rules

RSVP & PARTY GRID: #SpookySnacks Twitter Party Page

Halloween party snack ideas? #SpookySnacks Twitter Party 10/24 2pm ET. Prizes $550! Rules http://t.co/4aaI9SRnAK #shop
— Frugal Family Tree (@FrugalFamTree) October 15, 2014

How To Participate In A Twitter Party on SoFabChats!
 

TIP:  How to join a Twitter Party – sign in! Before party starts, click on the green “Sign In On Twitter” bar at the top of the page!

TIP: Who to follow at a Twitter Party? Follow the Party Team by clicking on the Twitter handle links on the RSVP page!

TIP: Want to win Twitter Party prizes? RSVP by clicking on RSVP button before you join the party, follow everyone on the Party Team, and tweet with the party hashtag during the party to be eligible!

TIP: How to win the Early Bird prize? Watch for chance to share a tweet when you RSVP for chance to win!

TIP: Special deals and brand coupons? Keep that option checked when you RSVP for the party!

TIP: New to Twitter parties? Watch your column and Party Team tweet columns – they are slower paced and easier to follow!

TIP: Where to find Twitter Parties? Check out the SoFabChats Twitter Party Calendar to find more fun parties to attend!

Find more helpful Twitter Party Tips on SoFabChats!

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Recipe For Ground Turkey Soup

The weather has officially turned fall-like, and put me into full soup making mode. There is nothing better than having a delicious pot of soup simmering on the stove on a cold day.

This soup calls for ground turkey, which I use often as a substitute for ground beef. It's healthier, and my family likes it. One of the good things about this Ground Turkey Soup is that it's loaded with veggies, and is a hearty soup, perfect for dinner.

Sometimes I have a small salad with a soup dinner, and some kind of bread, too. I do think you can skip the salad this time, as this soup is very filling. And there should be enough left over for lunch the next day, which is always so nice.

Recipe for Ground Turkey Soup

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey

2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) beef broth
2 cups water
1 can (28ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
3 celery ribs, chopped
3 large carrots, sliced
1 large onion, diced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons dried tarragon
1tablespoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

Directions:

In a Dutch oven, cook turkey over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the broth, water, tomatoes, celery, carrots, onions, potatoes, tarragon, garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Stir into soup; heat all the way through.
                                   
Serves 8.