Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto (without the cream!)

My closet friends know that I am NOT a fan of football but, like most people, I am a fan of food.  So, when my Baltimore Raven's-obsessed friends invited me over for a little game watching and snacks, I wanted to bring a healthy yet satisfying dish.

You'll notice that this butternut squash risotto doesn't contain any cream - the original recipe is actually vegan - yet it is a savory dish that is on par with more traditional risottos.  It also takes much less time than a typical risotto and does not require constant stirring of the dish (and, in some cases, multiple cooks watching the pot).  Just keep in mind that part of the flavoring of the sauce is from crushed cashews so it's probably best to check for food allergies in advance.

I encourage you to make this dish for your next event.  Super Bowl, anyone?

Following Tradition: Cream Cheese Potatoes

Whenever I think of the meals served during the holidays, Cream Cheese Potatoes is the first that comes to mind.  The main dish may vary, as well as other side dishes, but this potato casserole has been the staple of Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter meals for as long as I can remember.  They are flavorful but not overpowering, and taste better over time, so they can be made a day or two ahead and reduce the stress so often found during the holiday season.

Side note:  If you're traveling, I recommend cooking these potatoes in two smaller Pyrex dishes as opposed to a large dish.  This allows the food to be reheated quicker and is easier to manage as oven sizes may vary.

From my family to yours... :)

White Bean and Rosemary Spread

It looks like I'm on a total Sheryl Crow kick these days, because this recipe comes straight from her awesome cookbook, If It Makes You Healthy.  It's super simple - all you need is a food processor and several kitchen staples and you'll be on your way to making a fantastic white bean dip that's perfect for easy snacking or even a holiday party.

I might be speaking too soon about kitchen staples; I think the most important ingredient in this recipe is smoked paprika.  This particular type of paprika is most commonly found in specialty food stores.  If you're local to the Washington, DC area, you might want to check out The Spice and Tea Exchange at 1069 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, although it looks like they have locations all over the country.  They have an amazing selection of specialty spices and teas.  However, I'm sure regular paprika will work in a pinch.

Sweet Potato and Parsnip Mash

Sheryl Crow once sang out "this ain't no disco, this ain't no country club either..." well, whenever I think of this Sweet Potato and Parsnip Mash, which is made in a way similar to mashed potatoes, I want to sing out "these ain't no mashed potatoes".  While both potato dishes are delicious, this particular mash puts a flavorful spin on the more traditional white potato mash.

Perhaps my horrible singing is a reason to stop cooking alone, but all joking aside, these potatoes are quite good.  Maybe it's the sweetness of the dish, or the kick of the ginger, but the flavor combination has been a hit among many of my friends.  Just don't be fooled by the healthy ingredients; this dish is cooked in heavy whipping cream which negates any health benefits but joins the plethora of yummy treats served during the holidays.

Guest Bloggers: Michelle & Steve with Bison Sweet Potato Chili

My dear friends, Michelle and Steve, are amazing cooks.  They've made fajitas that make even the best Mexican restaurants envious - among other incredible dishes - and I always look forward to dinner at their apartment.  That's why I'm thrilled they fully documented their most recent kitchen adventure:  Bison Sweet Potato Chili.  While I haven't tried this recipe, the ingredients list is fresh and bursting with flavor.  I'm sure this chili would be perfect on a crisp Sunday afternoon watching football. 

P.S.  The good news is that this dish doesn't discriminate between the Redskins (Michelle's favorite team) or the Ravens (Steve's favorite team).  :)


Michelle & Steve being adorable.

Lemon and Fennel Risotto Balls

My last post on the Lemon and Fennel Risotto was a bit negative, I'll admit.  The risotto was delicious but not a quick dish; however, it completely redeemed itself when I made these Lemon and Fennel Risotto Balls with the leftovers!  Nothing like getting two meals out of a fairly complicated first round.  I especially enjoyed the risotto balls because they still contained the tartness of the original recipe while gaining the crispy fried outer layer from quickly searing them on a cast iron pan.

To make this into a quick and healthy weeknight dinner, I placed the risotto balls over a bed of fresh spinach with avocado and red pepper slices.  While I'm not sure these will be a regular in my kitchen due to the total time it required to make, I'm sure I'll be using the general technique with other rice-based dishes looking for a quick pick-me-up.

Lemon & Fennel Risotto

Ah, risotto...you have such a spotty reputation:  on one hand, you're delicious and flavorful; on the other, you're time consuming and patience-testing.

And this lemon and fennel risotto is no different.

For years, I've only heard negative feedback on making risotto and because of this, I've steered clear of ever attempting it.  In my opinion, it falls in the same category as roasted beets - good in theory, but perhaps not worth the effort and should be left to the professionals.  In any case, I was making a special dinner one night and decided to take the plunge and make risotto.  The result?  As expected...but it complimented a roasted herb salmon dish and even yielded a second meal of risotto balls.