the rhythm of a simple home

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Easy baked squash risotto recipe

for the squash

1 medium butternut squash

2-3 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp dried sage

salt and pepper

For the risotto

1 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil

2 shallots, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, crushed and finely sliced

1 1/2 cups risotto rice 

(I used short grain brown rice-you may need a little extra stock for brown rice)

1 1/2 quarts vegetable stock

3 TBSP dried sage

salt and pepper

To serve

2 TBSP pine nuts

1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil

small handful fresh sage leaves

To roast the butternut squash: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Pell the squash, and slice into 1/4 inch thick rounds before removing the seeds and slicing into small, cubed pieces. Spread the squash out acrtoss the baking sheet, drizzle over the olive oil, then scatter over the dried sage, salt and pepper. Place in the oven to roast for 30 minutes.

To make the risotto: Meanwhile, in a large ovenproof cast-iron saucepan (with a lid), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook for 5 minutes until they start to soften. Tip in the rice and mix well for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour the stock over, cover the pan, and place in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, add half the squash, stir, replace the lid and return to the oven along with the remaining butternut squash on the baking sheet. Continue cooking to cook for 8-10 minutes, until the rice is tender. (This may take a little longer with brown rice)

Toward the end of the cooking time, lightly toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet for 3 minutes until golden. Keep them moving so they don't burn. Remove the pine nuts and add the fresh sage leaves moving them until they turn slightly crispy.

Once the squash is roasted and the rice is cooked, remove from the oven and stir the remaining roasted squash pieces through the risotto. Serve with a scattering of toasted pine nuts and the sage leaves, either whole or crumbled.

...Full disclosure: I didn't do the pine nuts and sage leaves. It was too fussy for me. 

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The weather is just beautiful. The days have been sunny and clear with a slight breeze and the evenings and nights are cold enough for snuggling under a blanket. Perfect autumn weather!

Right now I am sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee. I have the day off! 

Thinking about Christmas. I have a small list going of the gifts I want to give to my family.

On my reading pile...I am reading Life in 5 Senses. I am enjoying it so far.

On my TV...nothing. I am not a big TV watcher.

Something fun to share...I finally made it to the farmer's market to pick up a giant jar of honey!

Blog hopping...

On the menu this week...

roasted tufu with mushrooms and green beans, rice

sweet potato patties, salad

harvest stuffed acorn squash

spinach, mushroom, caramelized onion pizza

on my to do list...

I don't have a lot going on this week. I want to walk the wood a few mornings before work.  My grandson's 7th birthday is this week.

Looking forward to this week...My grandson's birthday party this weekend. 

Looking around the house...I've been keeping up with the cleaning. I was able to really deep clean when I was off work a few weeks ago. It looks very pretty in here. 

From the camera...

On my prayer list...My very good friend's niece was murdered last week. She was 27 years old and had two daughters that were 12 and 6. My prayers go out to that poor sweet girl's families.  

Bible verse, devotional...

t

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

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Busy Monday

happy homemaker Monday

inspire me Monday

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