Acorn/Golden nugget squash Risotto

Fall means there are all kinds of squash and pumpkins that are just ready for the picking! The way I see it that just means I need to come up with some recipes for all that goodness! So here goes!

1 acorn squash 

1 golden nugget squash

olive oil

3/4 cup risotto rice

1 yellow onion diced

1 clove of garlic

2 tablespoons butter

1 can of chicken broth

1/2 can of water

1/2 cup of white wine

salt and pepper

1/2 parmesan

parsley flakes

heat oven to 400 degrees and  cut squashes in half and coat in olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes or till soft.

Meanwhile heat butter in a pot and add onion and garlic. Sauté till soft and add rice. Cook stirring constantly for about two minutes. Add white wine and let simmer till evaporated. Start adding chicken broth 1/2 a can at a time and keep stirring. when mixture becomes thick add more broth. keep stirring.... when thick again add 1/2 a can of water and season with salt and pepper and add the parmesan cheese. turn off the heat and let set for  about 5-10 minutes. If too thick add a little more water and let set for a few more minutes. sprinkle with parsley flakes and serve hot!

ENJOY!

  

Creamy Roasted Potato, Fennel and Leek Soup

2 large leeks

1 large fennel

2 sweet potatoes

4 potatoes

4 carrots

1 cup of half and half

1 cup of milk

salt

pepper

8 cups water

3 T butter

3 T olive oil

parsley flakes

cut green tops of off fennel and leeks and place in a large stock pot with the 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil and let boil covered for 25 minutes to make a broth.

meanwhile heat oven to 450 degrees. dice potatoes, carrots, rest of the leek and fennel bulb. place one of the leeks (diced) the 1/2 the fennel bulb diced  on a large roasting pan. place one diced sweet potato and 1 1/2 regular potatoes with all the carrots and put them on the roasting pan too. drizzle on the olive oil and some salt and pepper and place in the oven for 30 minutes.

In a large pot place the other leek (diced) and the rest of the diced fennel bulb with butter and sauté till soft. throw in rest of potatoes and sauté for a minute or two longer.  Ladle 4 or 5 scoops of the broth you made into the pot and let simmer for 15 minutes till potatoes are soft.

once potatoes are soft: I used an emersion blender and blended my soup. If you do not have one of these nifty gadgets 1) i suggest you put it on your christmas list 2) you may use a regular old blender just blend it in small batches and be careful...its very hot! pour all blended soup back into the pot and add milk, half and half and about 3 cups of the broth you made. Stir soup and salt and pepper to taste.  

Pull roasted veggies from oven and dump into soup. Stir and and ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley flakes. Serve!