Comfort Food

March is a difficult month in which to know how to cook.  One day it is sunny and gorgeous, the next day it is snowing or hailing.  For me, as for many it seems, this past month has been incredibly busy.  And so it is wonderful to have an easy, comforting soup to make when the weather turns cold.

That is why I love Heidi's "Lively Up Yourself" lentil soup recipe over at 101cookbooks.  I've made it a couple times now, and both times have been good.  It's a very simple soup but somehow is perfect on a cold evening.

I added generous sprinkles of paprika, cumin, and salt, and didn't bother with the yoghurt topping (although I'm sure it is good too!)

Here's the link: Lively Up Yourself Lentil Soup

Enjoy!

How to Enjoy Squash - Part II

Squash of almost all varieties is ridiculously cheap at the market these days, so I figured it was high time to share one of my favorite recipe discoveries from this fall.  I don't have a name for it yet, other than "that yummy squash and chicken baked dish".  It is inspired by this recipe over at Crepes of Wrath.  Every time I make it, I think it is a bit different, but so far I haven't had any bad reviews :).

I'm making it this weekend to help feed a crowd, so you might find this comes just in time for the holiday season.  It's a nice alternative to the traditional dishes.  Plus it's all vegetables that are easy to find in the early winter.  Enjoy!


Total time (approx.): not sure.. 2 hrs?  It bakes for about an hour.
 Ingredients (all approximate):
Chicken: I use about 1/2 lb chicken breast pieces, but more meat would work, and of different cuts.
3 carrots
1 butternut squash
1 onion
3 small potatoes (optional)
1/2 - 1 green pepper (optional)
2 T olive oil
1 t paprika (optional)
1/2 t  ground black pepper
pinch rosemary
herbes de provence
salt
3-5 cloves garlic
2-3 Tbsp butter
1 c. chicken stock.


Here's how you make it: