Butternut Squash Lasagna

Ingredients
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 (1 1/2 to 2-pound) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut
into 1-inch cubes
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1/2 cup water
* 3 amaretti cookies, crumbled
* 1/4 cup butter
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 3 1/2 cups whole milk
* Pinch nutmeg
* 3/4 cup (lightly packed) fresh basil leaves
* 12 no-boil lasagna noodles
* 2 1/2 cups shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese
* 1/3 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the
squash and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour the water
into the skillet and then cover and simmer over medium heat until the
squash is tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly
and then transfer the squash to a food processor. Add the amaretti
cookies and blend until smooth. Season the squash puree, to taste, with
more salt and pepper.

Melt the butter in a heavy medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Add
the flour and whisk for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to
a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until
the sauce thickens slightly, whisking often, about 5 minutes. Whisk in
the nutmeg. Cool slightly. Transfer half of the sauce to a blender*. Add
the basil and blend until smooth. Return the basil sauce to the sauce in
the pan and stir to blend. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, to
taste.

Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees
F.

Lightly butter a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Spread 3/4 cup of
the sauce over the prepared baking dish. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles on
the bottom of the pan. Spread 1/3 of the squash puree over the noodles.
Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Drizzle 1/2 cup of sauce
over the noodles. Repeat layering 3 more times.

Tightly cover the baking dish with foil and bake the lasagna for 40
minutes. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the
lasagna. Continue baking uncovered until the sauce bubbles and the top
is golden, 15 minutes longer. Let the lasagna stand for 15 minutes
before serving.

*When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to
cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food
processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release
one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat
explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times
then process on high speed until smooth.

Gingerbread with Caramel Pears

GINGERBREAD WITH CARAMEL PEARS


Serve this simple yet extra-special dessert with homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream or your favorite purchased ice cream.

Prep: 50 minutes Bake: 55 minutes Cool: 30 minutes Oven: 325º

1 cup butter
1 cup milk or water
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 cup unsulphured blackstrap molasses or dark-flavored molasses
1/2 cup honey (full-flavored)
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
3 eggs
1 recipe Caramel Pears (below)
1 recipe Pumpkin Ice Cream, optional (below)

1. Grease a 9x9x2-inch pan; set aside. In a medium saucepan combine butter, milk, brown sugar, molasses, and honey. Cook and stir over low heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl; cool slightly.

2. In a medium bowl combine flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cloves. Set aside.

3. With an electric mixer, on medium speed, beat eggs, 1 at a time, into cooled butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture, about 1 cup at a time, beating on low speed just until combined (batter may be lumpy). Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in a 325° oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack. Serve warm with Caramel Pears and Pumpkin Ice Cream, if desired. Makes 12 to16 servings.

CARAMEL PEARS: In a small bowl soak 1/4 cup dried cherries in 1/4 cup cognac or orange juice for 30 minutes or until softened. Meanwhile, in a large skillet sauté 3 to 4 pears, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced, in 3 tablespoons butter and a pinch of sugar until golden brown and cooked. Drain cherries. Stir cherries into pear mixture before serving.

Per serving Gingerbread with Caramel Pears: 492 cal., 20 g fat (12 g. sat. fat), 103 mg chol., 295 mg sodium, 71 g carbo., 3 g fiber, 6 g protein.

PUMPKIN ICE CREAM
Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 6 minutes Chill: 3 hours Freeze: 3 1/2 hours

2 cups whipping cream
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
5 egg yolks
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. cognac (optional)
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (about 1/2 of a 15-oz. can)

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the whipping cream and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until bubbles form around the edges of the pan, stirring to dissolve sugar.

2. In a small bowl beat the egg yolks, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Gradually whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture; continue to whisk until smooth. Pour egg mixture into cream mixture in the pan. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture thickens (the mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and leave a clear trail when a finger is drawn through it), about 4 to 6 minutes. Do not boil. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl. Stir in the vanilla and the cognac, if desired. Whisk the pumpkin into the custard. Cover surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming; refrigerate until chilled, at least 3 hours or overnight.

3. Pour the pumpkin custard into a 1 1/2- or 2-quart ice-cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions. Pack the ice cream into a freezer-safe container. Cover and freeze until firm, for at least 3 hours or up to 3 days, before serving. Makes about 5 cups.

Sweet Potatoes with Sugared Pecans

* Potatoes Ingredients:
* 4 medium orange sweet potatoes or yams, cut into 2-inch chunks
* 2 tablespoons Butter
* 1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon pepper
* Pecans Ingredients:
* 1 tablespoon Butter
* 1/4 cup chopped pecans
* 2 teaspoons sugar
* 1/4 cup sliced green onions


Directions

1. Combine sweet potatoes and enough water to cover in 4-quart saucepan. Cook over high heat until water comes to a boil (5 to 6 minutes). Reduce heat to medium-high. Cook until potatoes are tender (30 to 35 minutes). Drain. Cool slightly. Peel potatoes.
2. Heat oven to 375°F. Place sweet potatoes and all remaining potato ingredients in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth.
3. Spoon potato mixture into lightly greased 2-quart casserole. Cover; bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through.
4. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in small nonstick skillet until sizzling; add pecans and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until pecans are golden (2 to 3 minutes). Remove from heat.
5. Just before serving, sprinkle potatoes with pecans and green onions.
6. To Make-Ahead:
7. Prepare sweet potato mixture and pecans as directed. Do not bake the sweet potato mixture; cover and refrigerate. Before meal time, heat oven to 375°F.; bake as directed. Just before serving, sprinkle with pecans and onions.

Best Darn Minestrone Soup Around

• 1 cup butter
• 3 cups chopped onions
• 8 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 8 (15 ounce) cans mixed vegetables, with liquid
• 4 (16 ounce) cans kidney beans, with liquid
• 4 (14.5 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, with liquid
• 2 (16 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons and 2-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained
• 8 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

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DIRECTIONS

In a large stock pot over medium heat, stir and cook onions in butter until soft. Add broth, mixed vegetables, kidney beans, tomatoes, spinach, and tomato paste; simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours.

Using a slotted spoon, remove about half of the vegetables to a blender or food processor, reserving liquid in stock pot. Puree the vegetables until smooth and return them to stock pot.

Stir in garlic powder, parsley, salt, pepper, basil, macaroni, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, garbanzo beans, and heavy cream; cook for 1/2 hour, stirring frequently. Pour into bowls and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.

Sauteed Apple and Smoked Turkey Salad

This is amazingly good.

Sautéed Apple and Smoked Turkey Salad

This main-dish salad covers all the bases: Maple-glazed apples are warm, soft, and sweet; greens and cranberries are cool, crisp, and tart. Start to finish: 30 minutes 1 red or green apple (see tip below) 1 Tbsp. butter 1 Tbsp. maple syrup 1/4 cup fresh or dried cranberries or tart cherries 1 6–8-oz. pkg. mixed greens 2 cups bite-size cubes smoked turkey (10 oz.) 2 oz. goat cheese, crumbled 1 recipe Apple Cider Vinaigrette 1–2 Tbsp. toasted coarsely chopped nuts (such as pecans or almonds) and/or snipped fresh chives 1. Core and slice apple into thin slices. In a large skillet melt butter over medium heat. Stir in maple syrup. Add apple slices and cook 6 to 8 minutes or until apples are golden on both sides and still slightly crispy, turning apple slices as needed. Stir in the cranberries or cherries; set aside. 2. In a large bowl arrange greens. Top with turkey. Spoon on apple mixture and sprinkle with goat cheese. Drizzle with Apple Cider Vinaigrette. Sprinkle with toasted nuts and/or chives. Makes 4 main-dish servings. APPLE CIDER VINAIGRETTE: In a small bowl whisk together 1/2 cup cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon grainy mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Gradually whisk in 1/3 cup nut oil (such as pecan or almond). Use at once. Makes about 1 cup. APPLE APPEAL The best kinds of apples to add to savory dishes are the crisp-tart ones. For this salad, consider varieties such as Braeburn, Cortland, Granny Smith, McIntosh, Pippin, or Winesap.

Norweigan Cookies

I don't know if these are authentic or not, but they are good!

1 1/3 cup sugar
18 Tbsp. margarine - softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup mini chocolate chips
3 Tbsp. sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon

Heat oven to 350. Beat 1 1/3 cup sugar, margarine, eggs and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder, and chocolate chips. Divide dough into 4 equal parts. Shape each part on a lightly floured surface into roll, 1 inch diameter and about 15 inches long. Place rolls on ungreased cookie sheet (I put two rolls per cookie sheet); flatten slightly with fork to about 5/8 inch thickness. Mix 3 Tbsp sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Bake 13 -15 minutes, until light brown edges. WHILE WARM, cut diagonally into about 1 inch strips (I find a pizza cutter works best). Makes about 5 dozen.

Chocolate Cake

This cake was so moist and delicious!! It is really dense, and if you cover it with sufficient frosting, outrageously RICH! The cake must have weighed 10 lbs once it was assembled! (much more after it was eaten I am sure!!) Super easy and fabulous
Chocolate Cake:

4 ounces (120 grams) unsweetened chocolate, chopped (I actually used a Dove bar that my dear sister Allison sent me:)

1/3 cup (28 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)

1 cup (240 ml) boiling water

2 1/4 cups (315 grams) all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 cups (400 grams) granulated white sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup (240 ml) milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Butter, or spray with a nonstick vegetable spray, and line with parchment paper, two - 9 x 2 inch deep (23 x 5 cm) round baking pans. Set aside.

In a stainless steel or heatproof bowl place the chopped unsweetened chocolate and cocoa powder. Pour the boiling water over the chocolate and cocoa powder and stir until they have melted. Set aside to cool while you make the batter.

In a separate bowl, whisk to combine, the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream the butter. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is fluffy (this will take about 3-5 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and melted chocolate mixture and beat to combine.

Add the milk and flour mixtures in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat only until the ingredients are incorporated.

Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for about 35 - 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops spring back when lightly pressed. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Butter or lightly spray a wire rack with Pam before inverting the cakes onto the rack to prevent the cakes from sticking. Cool the cakes completely before frosting.


To Assemble: Place one layer of cake, top side down, on your serving plate and cover with a layer of frosting. Then place the second layer of cake, top side down, onto the first cake layer and then frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Can garnish with fresh fruit or shaved chocolate.

Serves 8 - 10 people.

Fudgy Brownies

These are the best recipe I've ever had...

1 cup butter
4 squared unsweetened chocolate
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups coarsely chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13" baking pan. In large saucepan over low heat, melt butter and chocolate, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Cool slightly
Add eggs, on at a time, beating until well blended after each addition. Add flour, vanilla and salt; stir in nuts. Pour into pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack; cut into pieces. Makes about 2 dozen brownies.
My friend made these the other day, and added cacao nibs to it...unbelievable!