Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

Butternut Squash Risotto

2007, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved

Prep Time:

10 min

Inactive Prep Time:

--

Cook Time:

40 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 butternut squash (2 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 6 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 ounces pancetta, diced
• 1/2 cup minced shallots (2 large)
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice (10 ounces)
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into 3/4-inch cubes. You should have about 6 cups. Place the squash on a sheet pan and toss it with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing once, until very tender. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the chicken stock in a small covered saucepan. Leave it on low heat to simmer.

In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the pancetta and shallots on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, until the shallots are translucent but not browned. Add the rice and stir to coat the grains with butter. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 full ladles of stock to the rice plus the saffron, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir, and simmer until the stock is absorbed, 5 to 10 minutes. Continue to add the stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring every few minutes. Each time, cook until the mixture seems a little dry, then add more stock. Continue until the rice is cooked through, but still al dente, about 30 minutes total. Off the heat, add the roasted squash cubes and Parmesan. Mix well and serve.

Shelly's Chicken with Mushrooms

Shelly’s Chicken with Mushrooms

This recipe is for 4 servings.

2 ½ cups fresh sliced mushrooms
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
2 T. butter
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
¾ cup chicken broth
2 cups cooked rice (or noodles)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place half of the mushrooms in a 13x9 inch pan. Dip chicken into beaten eggs and roll in bread crumbs.
3. In skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Brown both sides of chicken in skillet. Place chicken on top of mushrooms, arrange remaining mushrooms on chicken, and top with mozzarella cheese. Add chicken broth to pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve chicken over hot cooked rice or noodles.

Hoppin' John

This has to be one of my absolute favorite recipes, but you have to like black-eyed peas. If you do, you'll love this! I give it a 5 star rating, but my kids vary in their opinion of it. I used to make this traditionally on New Year's Day, but when my family asked for another tradition, I succumbed. So, tonight I had New Year's in July! Heather actually liked it tonight and had me set some aside for her to take for lunch tomorrow. I think that rates as a 5 star for her too! Tom had seconds himself. I hope you enjoy it.

Difficulty: Moderate
Prep: 1 hour
Cook: Total of 2.5 hours
Serves: 10 - 12 (or 6 - 8 really hungry people)

2 c. dried black-eyed peas
1/2 lb. ham
2 qts. water
1 c. uncooked white rice
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped celery
2 t. butter or margarine
1/2 - 1 t. Italian seasoning
1 t. sugar
2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper

Sort and wash peas; place in a heavy saucepan. Cover with water, and bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let soak for 1 hour, drain.

Combine ham and 2 qts. water in a large dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add peas; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 45 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer an additional 30 minutes or until black-eyed peas are done. Remove ham; cut into small pieces. Stir ham into mixture.

Serve with hot, buttered corn bread and green salad. (NOTE: you can cut the ham up into bite-sized pieces at the beginning to omit doing this at the end.)