De Ma Cuisine

Winter Squash Archive

Friday

19

February 2016

0

COMMENTS

Savory Crêpes

Written by , Posted in Beans, Breakfast, Brunch, Cheese, Dinner, Eggs, Fruit, Herbs, Leftovers, Legumes, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Nuts, Poultry, Quick and Easy, Vegetables, Vegetarian

SavoryCrepes-3

Right now my thoughts are flipping between crêpes and the onion rings I ate right before I made the crêpes. Of both, I couldn’t wait to eat more. But, let’s talk about the crêpes today (those onion rings can wait until next week). When I was a kid, mom made crêpes every once in a while. If she made them for supper, we usually had to eat a savory crêpe or two before we were allowed to eat one covered with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or honey. I may have turned my nose up at it then, but now I see the merit in the savory crêpe.

Crêpes are what I’d imagine would result if a tortilla and a pancake had a baby. A delicious baby… This is getting weird… They’re light, soft, and a bit crispy around the edges. They’re great with butter and maple syrup, of course, but also the perfect vessel for some savory goodies.

SavoryCrepes-1

I like the idea of a multifaceted filling. It starts with a purée. I had some pumpkin in the freezer that I reheated and seasoned with salt and cayenne. Simple. You could also try cauliflower, sweet potato, or beets.

I topped the purée with some sautéed broccoli rabe, peas, and radishes. You might substitute with roasted or raw garlic, broccoli, any greens that you have on hand, apples, cabbage, summer or winter squash, carrots, or even white beans. If you have some fresh herbs on hand, things like basil, thyme, rosemary, or mint would be great. Just use whatever herbs would go well with the veggies that you’re using.

If you wanted to add a little more protein, throw in some leftover shredded chicken or chopped up crispy tofu.

And then, to top it all, I like a spoonful of plain or Greek yogurt, some walnuts, parmesan, and a squeeze of lemon. You might substitute with silken tofu or coconut milk, browned butter or cream, ricotta or cream cheese.

SavoryCrepes-2

If you’ve got any left, they will make the perfect dessert (Nutella crêpes anyone?!), or can be reheated the next day for a quick and easy breakfast. You could do simple, just maple syrup, or maybe top them with some ricotta, cottage cheese, or silken tofu, and some chopped apples sprinkled with cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon. Two meals, one dish.

Happy Eating!

Savory Crêpes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 2 crêpes

Savory Crêpes

Ingredients

  • 1 C purée (any: winter squash, cauliflower, sweet potato, beet)
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1 C any mix ins: broccoli rabe, peas, roasted or raw garlic, kale, radishes, apples, cabbage, white beans, summer squash, carrots; chopped if warranted
  • 1 C any proteins (optional): cooked chicken, crispy tofu
  • 1 t to 1 T any: thyme, rosemary, basil, mint; chopped
  • to taste salt
  • 8 crêpes
  • 1 C any toppings: ricotta, cream cheese, yogurt, silken tofu, parmesan cheese, browned butter, cream, coconut milk, walnuts, almonds, lemon zest; chopped if warranted
  • lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. (Prepare crêpe batter if it needs to sit for an hour in the fridge.)
  2. Make your purée (roast or steam veggies, blend, season with salt and, if desired, cayenne).
  3. Heat skillet, add olive oil. Sauté mix ins until tender (about 10 minutes, depending on the veggies) over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add things like greens and garlic near the end. Re-heat protein, if using. Add to mix ins. Add herbs. Taste for seasoning.
  4. While mix ins are cooking, prepare your crêpes (keep them warm in a 200F oven on a baking sheet).
  5. To assemble, spoon some purée down the center of the crêpes. Top with mix ins. Roll up (the easiest way to do this is to hook a fork inside the edge of the crêpe and roll it in on itself). Serve with a squeeze of lemon.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/savory-crepes/

Monday

21

December 2015

0

COMMENTS

Wilted Mustard Greens with Acorn Squash and Pear

Written by , Posted in Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Quick and Easy, Salads, Sides, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

MustardGreensAcornSquash-6

Two months ago I would have laughed if you’d told me that my fingers would be so cold that I’d have a hard time typing today. That I’d have two sweatshirts on with both hoods pulled up. Two pairs of socks, plus slippers, and that I’d be wrapped in a blanket. Yeah, I’m cold (and I refuse to turn the heater on). But, the great thing about cold weather is that it’s much easier to warm up than it is to cool down. I can keep adding blankets and layers of clothing. I can bake or make soup, and drink lots of tea. As cold as I am right now, I much prefer it to the months and months of hot and sweaty.

MustardGreensAcornSquash-1

I don’t use the oven a whole lot during the summer and into the fall. It’s just too hot. So at this time of year, I bake and roast veggies a little more often. It’s yummy and, as a bonus, the house warms up a bit.

MustardGreensAcornSquash-2

For this recipe I roasted some acorn squash wedges that I’d rubbed with olive oil and I also roasted its seeds. Roasted squash is one of my favorites. It’s super versatile – from pastas to soups to pizza, it’s a winner. But, the seeds are great too. I like to toss them with a bit of oil and a pinch of salt and then roast until they’re crispy. It doesn’t take too long and they’re really tasty.

MustardGreensAcornSquash-3

Because I used an acorn squash for this dish, I left the peel on. I don’t prefer to eat it, but it’s easy enough to scrape the flesh from it, and I think it looks pretty. If you want to peel before you roast, that’s cool too. It just seemed easier to me to wait.

MustardGreensAcornSquash-4

This isn’t really your average salad. It’s got mustard greens, instead of lettuce, and they’re wilted, instead of raw. I added pears (or you could use apples) and cooked them with the greens just a bit. The dressing is made up of orange juice, maple syrup, and molasses. They all go into the pan with everything else. Think Wilted Spinach Salad with lots of awesome twists.

MustardGreensAcornSquash-5

If you have spinach or other greens, they’ll be great too. Lemons instead of oranges, give them a try (or go for half and half so it’s not too tart). I added shallots, but red onion would be fab. And if you’re not crazy about the seeds from the squash, you could chop up some nuts instead (or hey, do both!).

This would make a lovely side for a holiday dinner, or you could reheat leftovers and serve them with scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. However you serve it, I hope you enjoy it with good company, in good cheer.

Merry Christmas!

 

Wilted Mustard Greens with Acorn Squash and Pear

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 2-3

Wilted Mustard Greens with Acorn Squash and Pear

Ingredients

  • 1 medium-sized acorn squash (may substitute with other types of winter squash), seeds removed and reserved, peeled if desired, sliced
  • 2 T olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • 1 bunch mustard greens (or mizuna, kale, chard, spinach, or any other greens you have on hand), ribs removed, chopped
  • to taste salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 t fresh ginger, minced
  • 1/4 C shallot or onion or leek, sliced
  • 1 t maple syrup
  • 1 t molasses
  • pinch cayenne
  • 1 T orange or lemon zest
  • 1/4 C orange juice
  • 1 ripe pear or apple, sliced
  • 1/2 T lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
  2. Rub squash with 1 t oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast for 15 minutes, flip, and roast for about 15 more (or until squash is tender and pierces easily with a sharp knife).
  3. Toss squash seeds with 1 t oil and a pinch of salt. Roast on a baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes, or until crispy, stirring once. Salt lightly once removed from the oven.
  4. Heat skillet and add remaining oil. Add greens and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic through orange juice and cook for about 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add pears or apples and cook for about 5 minutes, or until fruit is a bit tender, adding more orange juice if needed. Remove from heat and add lemon juice and taste for seasoning.
  5. Serve greens topped with roasted squash and roasted seeds.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/mustard-greens-squash-pear/

Friday

27

November 2015

0

COMMENTS

Potato Pancakes

Written by , Posted in Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch, Cheese, Condiments, Dinner, Eggs, Gluten Free, Herbs, Holiday, Kid-Friendly, Leftovers, Lunch, Main Dishes, One Dish Dinners, Potatoes, Quick and Easy, Sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

PotatoPancakes-5

It’s finally arrived. The day of my favorite meal: Thanksgiving. I don’t know if it’s favorite because it only happens once a year though. If I could only have one meal for the rest of my life, I don’t know that it would be this one… Then again, maybe it would.

It’s just the perfect mix of flavors, textures, and since it’s most often eaten surrounded by loved ones, it’s such a winner.

My perfect Thanksgiving plate includes: Turkey, dressing, green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls, and gravy to pour over almost everything. It’s a feast for sure. There’s always more than we need. Part of the fun of a meal like this is getting creative with the leftovers.

Today, I’m tacking the mashed potatoes. I usually just make a big pot of soup and call it good. But, here’s a way to use those potatoes, and maybe a few other dishes from dinner, in a non-soupy way.

PotatoPancakes-1

I combined the potatoes with some sautéed veggies (the possibilities are pretty limitless here: sweet potatoes, carrots, winter squash, mushrooms, peas, corn, bell peppers, garlic, greens, chile peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, summer squash…), spices, cheese, flour, baking powder, and an egg (to hold it all together).

PotatoPancakes-2

Then I dropped them onto a hot skillet with a bit of olive oil. Easy. Almost done.

PotatoPancakes-3

They didn’t need long to cook, just a few minutes per side.

PotatoPancakes-4

I topped each one with a dollop of yogurt with fresh herbs mixed in. The perfect little treat for a lazy, relaxing holiday lunch.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Potato Pancakes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 33 minutes

Total Time: 48 minutes

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 4-5 pancakes per person

Potato Pancakes

Ingredients

  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1-2 C veggies (could be carrots, peas, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, winter squash, corn, garlic, greens, bell peppers, chile peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, summer squash), chopped, if needed
  • to taste salt
  • 1/4 C plain yogurt or silken tofu
  • 1 T fresh herbs (dill, parsley, basil, chives)
  • to taste salt
  • pinch cayenne
  • squeeze of lemon or splash of white vinegar
  • 1/4 C All Purpose flour (or gluten free)
  • 1 t baking powder
  • 2-3 C mashed potatoes (could also add green bean casserole or dressing/stuffing)
  • to taste salt
  • 1/4 t paprika
  • pinch cayenne (optional)
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1/4 C cheese, grated or cut into small cubes
  • 1 egg
  • 1-2 T olive oil, for frying

Instructions

  1. Heat skillet. Add 1 T olive oil. Sauté veggies with salt over medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until all veggies are tender, stirring occasionally.
  2. Combine yogurt or silken tofu through lemon or vinegar. Taste for salt. Set aside.
  3. Combine flour and baking powder.
  4. Combine sautéed veggies with mashed potatoes through cheese. Stir gently. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Stir in flour mixture, then stir in egg.
  5. Wipe out veggie skillet. Heat and add 1 T olive oil. When oil is hot, drop and flatten (slightly) 2T pancake batter. Cook over medium-low heat for about 3 minutes per side, working in batches until all batter has been used, adding more oil as needed. Place finished pancakes on a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack in the oven (set at the lowest temperature to keep them hot).
  6. Serve pancakes topped with a dollop of herbed yogurt.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/potato-pancakes/

Monday

2

November 2015

0

COMMENTS

Pumpkin Pie Latté

Written by , Posted in Breakfast, Brunch, Dairy-Free, Dessert, Drinks, Gluten Free, Kid-Friendly, Quick and Easy, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

PumpkinPieLatte-6

At this time of year my social media feeds become saturated with yummy fall drinks, drunk by people wearing cozy fall sweaters and scarves. While my attire still consists of shorts, tank tops, and flip flops, I’m all in for fall flavors (and so ready to pull out my jeans and scarves).

PumpkinPieLatte-1

Pumpkin is always a big fall trend. As it should be. It’s cute, festive, and good for you. So why not add it to a drink!?

PumpkinPieLatte-2

I had two different ideas. One was to do something with apple cider, the other with milk. This recipe will work with both. For those who don’t love coffee, or for the kiddos, the cider will be perfect. You could make either one (or both!) in big batches and serve to a crowd. You could use coconut milk and make it vegan. There are so many options for one simple drink.

PumpkinPieLatte-3

If you’re opting for the milk and coffee version, depending on how you make it, it can be either a latté or a café au lait. Be definition, the former is made with espresso, the latter with coffee. I used coffee, because that’s what I had on hand. I brewed it strong and it tasted great. I’ve been a decaf drinker for a few years now. But, don’t get all down on decaf now. I choose high quality whole beans, that have been decaffeinated with water rather than chemicals, and I think it tastes just as good as it did when I drank regular. I stopped drinking caffeine because I felt like it was contributing to anxiety. Because I’ve found such amazing coffee, I haven’t missed the caffeine at all.

PumpkinPieLatte-4

This pumpkin drink actually contains real pumpkin. I roasted one the other day for some Pumpkin Pasta and had some leftover. It’s combined with the same seasonings I’d add to pumpkin pie, coffee, and milk (or cider). Everything gets heated up or brewed, then it’s strained and topped with some whipped cream and more cinnamon.

PumpkinPieLatte-5

I enjoyed this so much that I drank it all and then made some more. It’s probably a good thing I don’t drink caffeine. 😉

Happy Sipping!

Pumpkin Pie Latté

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 1-2

Pumpkin Pie Latté

Ingredients

  • 1/2 C milk (any kind) or 2 C apple cider (and omit the coffee or espresso)
  • 2 T cooked pumpkin purée
  • good pinch cinnamon
  • good pinch nutmeg
  • good pinch all spice
  • good pinch ginger
  • tiny pinch salt
  • 3 t maple syrup (or to taste)
  • 1 1/2 C strong coffee, or 1-2 shots espresso/person
  • whipped cream (optional), for topping
  • cinnamon, for topping
  • caramel (optional), for topping

Instructions

  1. Heat milk or cider through maple syrup over low heat, for about 5-7 minutes (or until it barely starts to simmer, or comes to about 165F), stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. (Or, steam the milk, then stir in pumpkin through maple syrup. If pumpkin and syrup are cold, they will cool down the milk a bit.)
  2. Brew coffee/espresso, if using. Combine with milk mixture.
  3. Strain the hot pumpkin mixture through a sieve, pressing down to get all the liquid out. Taste for sweetness. Top with whipped cream, cinnamon, and a drizzle of caramel if desired.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/pumpkin-pie-latte/

Saturday

31

October 2015

0

COMMENTS

Ten Ways to Use Pumpkins

Written by , Posted in How To, Vegetables

HowToUsePumpkins-3

Pumpkins are a super cute way to welcome fall. They’re fun and cheerful and their orange flesh makes me happy. They can be used in so many ways. They make a great addition to a fall centerpiece at your dinner party or just amidst fall decor. They are fabulous to eat. And, they are so much fun to carve.

HowToUsePumpkins-6

Pumpkins as Decor and for Carving

1. I love pumpkins anywhere. They’re cute atop a table by the door, or added to the garden. If you want to leave them outside, they will last longer if they’re not carved, so wait to do that until a day or two before you need them.

HowToUsePumpkins-5

2. If you can never get enough of them, save some of the seeds from this year’s pumpkins and plant them in your garden next year. They will take up lots of room, so be sure you have space before you plant. Tim found a broken lattice and put it back together for me so that when I plant some more winter squash it can climb up rather than take over the rest of the garden (and in the spring I’ll use it for peas).

3. The seeds that you don’t save for planting, toss them with some oil and seasonings and roast them. They’ll make a yummy snack.

HowToUsePumpkins-4

HowToUsePumpkins-1

4. Pumpkins and other winter squash make for a beautiful centerpiece. You can collect leaves and press them in books, collect pinecones, and set them around the pumpkins for a lovely fall table. I will use any type of pumpkin or winter squash that I have on hand. I think they’re all pretty.

TimObergCarvedPumpkin RS

5. If you’re going to carve*, you could get creative and trace some leaves and either carve all the way through the pumpkin or just slice off a bit of the skin so that a light inside makes the carved leaves glow. If you want to keep carving after Halloween, you could carve the words “GIVE THANKS” for Thanksgiving, or carve things that you’re thankful for (pictures or words).

6. If you want to decorate the pumpkin and then eat it, I’d suggest waiting to decorate until the day before you plan to cook it so it won’t spoil. You could use clean pushpins and press leaves, cranberries, sage leaves, or other colorful fall treasures into the skin of the pumpkin. You could work on something abstract, or try to create a fall-scape.

7. With smaller pumpkins you might hollow out a bit of the top and put votives or small candles in them.

HowToUsePumpkins-8

HowToUsePumpkins-9

8. They even look great on a drink cart or atop some treasured books (just be sure to check it each day to make sure it doesn’t get moldy if it’s sitting on something that can’t be cleaned). If you’ve got a pumpkin drink, you could serve it on the drink cart, in a large pumpkin with a ladle.

Pumpkins for Eating

HowToUsePumpkins-7

9. I’ve been working on some pumpkin (and winter squash) recipes for you. The first one was a Winter Squash Dip that’s fabulous no matter what kind of squash you use. If you have a pumpkin or a sturdy squash that can be used for serving, I’d give it a try!

PumpkinPasta-6

The second was a Pumpkin Pasta. The pumpkin doubles as a serving dish and a key ingredient. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, or for a special occasion. And, bonus, if you have extra sauce, it makes a fabulous broccoli and potato soup. We enjoyed this for dinner the other night – it’s now one of my all-time favorite soups.

PumpkinPieLatte-5

The third is a Pumpkin Pie Latté that was such a treat that I drank it all by myself and then made more.

10. Pumpkin can be added to sooo many things. Yum! Here are some suggestions for other foods to add pumpkin to.

Cookies Pumpkin and chocolate chip cookies would be fabulous.

Muffins Pumpkin apple muffins with a sprinkle of cinnamon would be a great fall breakfast.

Pancakes and Waffles Add some pumpkin and then top them with some spiced apples or pears.

Parfaits Mix some plain yogurt with a few tablespoons of pumpkin purée and a drizzle of maple syrup. Top it with some homemade granola, chopped nuts, and a drizzle of caramel.

Hot Chocolate Add 1 T pumpkin and some caramel to your hot chocolate.

Quesadillas Black beans + pumpkin/winter squash + cheese = perfect fall lunch.

Grilled Cheese Spread a layer of salted, puréed pumpkin on the inside of a slice of buttered bread (butter the outside), then top with cheese before closing and cooking.

Tomato Sauce Add pumpkin/winter squash to your favorite tomato sauce.

Pizza Substitute the tomato sauce for a pumpkin sauce (or do half and half) and top with greens and gruyère or fontina cheese.

Salad A frisée salad topped with roasted pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, crispy onions, mushrooms, and a dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and lemon zest would be perfect for a dinner party.

Hash Chop up some pumpkin, potatoes, parsnips, onion, and garlic and sauté. It could be served on its own, or topped with some olive oil fried eggs.

Roasted Toss with olive oil and some salt, then roast until crispy outside, tender inside, and serve with chopped nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, pine nuts, walnuts, or pecans). You could also drizzle with maple syrup and add a bit of cheese.

Gratin Shittake mushrooms, pumpkin, ricotta, parmesan, and gruyère would make a lovely gratin.

Stew A hearty pumpkin or winter squash stew might also contain carrots, chickpeas or white beans, chiles, onion, coconut milk, spinach, and herbs like basil, parsley, thyme, and chives. Serve the stew in the pumpkin for a great centerpiece.

Happy Eating!

*Carved pumpkin was lettered, carved, and photographed by Tim Oberg.