Roasted Delicata Squash and Apples {12 weeks of Winter Squash}

Are you in charge of bringing a side dish to a Thanksgiving dinner this year? I usually am known as the one who will bring a healthy and "amazing" dish. My sister-in-laws always seem so impressed and amazed at the "unique/interesting/lovely" appetizers I bring to the collection of mashed potatoes, green bean casseroles and Holiday ham.  I'll let you in a little secret though if you promise not to tell………

I usually spend a total of about 30 minutes on most of  the side dishes and appetizers I bring to just about any party but most especially Holiday dinners. 

Shhhhhhh, our little secret!

It doesn't have to look or taste like you threw something together though and it most CERTAINLY doesn't need to come out of a box or a can! Fresh fruits and veggies always have a way of shining all on their own with very little need of help in the way of additives, sauces or a ton of spices.

This side dish is sweetened with a touch of honey, which you can't really tell is in there but compliments the earthy flavors of the squash and apples and will help the kiddos eat their healthy veggies happily. {o.k. I had 1 out of 4 kids who didn't like it but hey, those aren't bad odds!)

I adore squash in all of it's varieties but this is the first time (I made this dish at least twice before posting as usual) that I've had delicate squash. I am now in love. Love at first taste actually. This is hands down the easiest of ALL squash to prepare. Simply cut the ends off, slice in half lengthwise with ease thanks to the very light skin, scoop out the small bit off seeds and roast. 

Bam!

This side dish will go alongside some other fabulous squash dishes my fellow squash loving bloggers have made for week 3 of 12 weeks of winter squash. Only 12?!!! 

SERVES    6           TIME    30 MINUTES        

Ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted 
2. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
3. 1 tablespoon honey
4. 3 garlic cloves, sliced
5. 2 small delicata squashes, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch slices
6. 2 fugi (or similar) apples cut in half lengthwise, cut into 1/2 inch pieces, any seeds removed
7. 1 small red onion, cut into 12 wedges
8. 1/2 teaspoon salt
9. 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10. 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add squash and onion; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle vegetable mixture with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Carefully remove preheated pan from oven; coat pan with cooking spray. Spread vegetable mixture evenly on baking sheet. Bake at 475° for 20 minutes or until tender, turning once. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

If not serving immediately, cover with foil. 

Other Thanks Giving Day Sides and Appetizers from Simply Healthy Family

Stuffed Acorn Squash with fresh Cranberries and Pecans

Spiced Cranberry Chutney with Apricots, Cherries and Pecans

Pepita Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms

Do you share my love for winter squash? Join the party and link up and share a yummy squash recipe you made this week! Don't got squash? No bigs. Just link up next week!

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Potato-Blu Cheese and Broccoli Soup {low-fat}

Many of you may have gotten over soup recipes the minute the weather reached 70 degrees outdoors. Here in Phoenix however, it is only cold outside for like 3 weeks out of the year, and that's if you consider 55 degrees on a bright, sunny day cold. So when the weather decides to be all freaky and bi-polar and it is cold, overcast and even windy outside.... we make soup. I literally get giddy at the chance to actually enjoy a hot bowl of comforting soup which can only be truly appreciated when it is chilly and overcast outside in my opinion.

I loved this soup so much that I am seriously thinking of ways to cheat the system. I'm thinking of covering all the windows in thick drapes, turning the air conditioning down to 50 degrees, putting on my fuzzy slippers and making this again in July. Totally grand idea!

The blu cheese was a fabulously unexpected addition to this classic comfort soup. I'm so glad I decided to give blu cheese another chance. I didn't care for it at all in my 20's and now it's one of my favorite treats.

The fresh thyme really brought out all the flavors of the vegetables and just made this soup my new favorite, simple dish. Crispy bacon sprinkled on top of the potato soup had everyone scraping their bowls for the

 very last drop.

Slowly infusing the thyme and garlic in the oil before sauteeing the leeks really kicks up the flavor
and adds a gourmet yet rustic flavour in every bite.

Is the weather acting weird where you live?

You Will Need:

1 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium leek, thinly sliced 

2-3 cloves garlic smashed

3 small-medium russet potatoes, diced

4-6 sprigs fresh Thyme plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon table salt 

1/2 teaspoon grey sea salt

6 cups chicken broth,  preferabley homemade

3 cups broccoli florets 

1/4 cup almond milk 

Freshly ground black pepper

Cooked and Crumbled Bacon
Crumbled Blue Cheese for Topping

 

To Make:

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the oil, garlic and thyme sprigs. Let them sit in the low heat so that the flavors infuse into the oil, about 8 minutes.  Turn up the heat to medium-high, add the leek and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes, broccoli,  table salt, and broth and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook uncovered until the potato is fork tender, about 10 minutes.

Carefully, puree the soup in batches in a blender or with an immersion blender {I love mine}. Return soup to the pot and add the almond milk. Bring to a simmer, taste, and season with French Grey sea salt and cracked pepper.

Ladel into individual bowls and sprinkle bacon and blue cheese and more chopped thyme if you please over top.

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