Butternut Squash Soup

Whatever the weather be, I never hesitate to make this soup.  Although this is seasonally a fall soup, warm weather doesn't stop us from making it. 


Happy Slurping!

Butternut Squash Soup


Ingredients:


1 Butternut Squash (about 2 lbs)
1 medium yellow onion
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped celery
2 tsp. fresh ginger (grated)
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp. curry
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cups chicken broth
salt 
pepper
1 cup heavy cream
fresh cilantro 



Directions:  


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.


Peel and halve the butternut squash.  Remove seeds.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with some salt and pepper.  Roast squash for about 45-50 minutes or until soft in the middle (the corners will brown).  


Meanwhile, place olive oil in a large pot and mix in  curry.  Add the grated ginger and cook for about 1 minute.  Add chopped onions and garlic.  Cook until translucent (about 5 mins).  Add chicken broth and carrots and celery (add more broth/water if needed to cover the vegetables).  Boil for 15 minutes or until almost tender.  Add roasted squash and boil for 10 more minutes. 


Let cool.  Blend soup in a blender (may have to do in shifts), or with a hand blender.  Add cream.  Add chopped cilantro and stir.  


Garnish with a sprig of cilantro and serve.  

Healthy Banana Bread

As a mother I am always looking for ways to healthier meals, and I am not above sneaking healthy food into food that seems....non-healthy.  This banana bread provides the perfect opportunity to sneak healthy whole grains and fruit into a moist and satisfying bread.  My one-year-old gobbles it up like nobody's business.  

Everyone has their favorite banana bread recipe, but I encourage you to try this one at least once.  You won't regret it. 

Healthy Banana Bread

*Note: this is the perfect way to use those over-ripe bananas on your counter!  In fact, over-ripe bananas are preferred for mashing. 

Ingredients:

1 cup mashed bananas 

1 cup honey

1/2 cup applesauce

2 eggs

1 Tbsp. lemon juice (or any kind of juice)

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. all spice

1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the bananas, honey, applesauce, eggs, and juice.  Stir until just combined.  In another bowl, combine the dry ingredients - whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, all spice, and salt.  Mix well. 

For bread:  Oil a bread pan and add mixture.  Cook for 1 hour

For muffins:  Oil a muffin tin or add liners.  Fill 3/4 to top, and cook for 20 mins.