Servings 4-6 People
This hearty fall meal is a favorite for those with a sweet tooth. I will warn you that it does take time to prepare, but it is definitely worth it in the end. It is a perfect meal for dinner parties because you can do the majority of the preparation ahead of time. When guests arrive, you just need to pop it in the oven and sprinkle on your toasted almonds.
Ingredients:
Stuffed Butternut Squash
2-3 small butternut squash
1 1/2 cups of cooked brown rice
1 cup diced chayote or zucchini
1 cup of diced mushrooms
1 cup of diced carrots
1/2 cup of diced red onion
2-3 Tbsp of olive oil
1/4 cup of sliced almonds
1/2 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp of pepper
2 Tbsp of honey
2 chicken breasts cut into small pieces
Sweet Garlic Hummus Dressing
1/2 cup of garlic hummus
1 lime
1 Tbsp of water
2 tsp of mustard
1 Tbsp of honey
Sweet Creamy Avocado Dressing
1 avocado
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup honey
Instructions:
Stuffed Butternut Squash
1. Cut each butternut squash in half and place them on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place the baking sheet into the oven at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes depending on the size of your butternut squash.
2. Boil 3/4 cup of dry brown rice so you have at least 1 1/2 cups of cooked rice for later in the recipe.
3. Cut onion, carrots, chayote or zucchini, and mushrooms into small pieces.
4. Place all vegetables in a frying pan with 1 Tbsp of olive oil to fry until vegetables are soft.
5. Cut up your chicken breast into small pieces and place into a different frying pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Fry until the chicken is well done.
6. Add the fried chicken and rice to the pan with vegetables and mix them together.
7. Add two tablespoons of honey to the mixture and continue to stir over low heat.
8. Place 1/4 cup of sliced almonds into a frying pan with 1 tsp of olive oil. Toast almonds until they are lightly brown. Turn off the burner and add 1 tsp of honey to the almonds. Make sure to add the honey last or the almonds will burn.
9. Make either the sweet creamy avocado dressing or the sweet garlic hummus dressing to use as a topping. See the instructions below.
9. Put one butternut squash on a plate and fill it with stuffing (vegetables, chicken, and brown rice). Drizzle with your dressing of choice. Top with the sweet toasted almonds and serve.
10. Enjoy
Sweet Garlic Hummus Dressing
1. Place 1/2 cup of garlic hummus into a blender or food processor.
2. Squeeze in the juice of one lime.
3. Add water, mustard, and honey.
4. Blend all ingredients together. If the dressing is too thick, you can add more water to thin it down.
5. Drizzle on top of your stuffed butternut squash.
Sweet Creamy Avocado Dressing
1. Peel the avocado and then place it in a blender or food processor.
2. Add water, honey, and olive oil to the blender or food processor.
3. Blend together.
4. Drizzle on top of your stuffed butternut squash.
Additional Information:
If you are going to make the avocado dressing, I recommend doing it just prior to serving. I absolutely love avocados, but oxygen does not. The moment the green flesh of an avocado feels the air, it starts the process of turning brown.
In Costa Rica, hummus can be difficult to find in the grocery store along with tahini. When making the sweet garlic hummus dressing, you are welcome to buy garlic hummus or you can use the hummus recipe below that includes ingredients that are easy to access in Costa Rica. Look forward to a full article including garlic hummus in future postings.
Garlic Hummus
10.5 oz can of garbanzo beans
¼ cup water
6 Tbsp of olive oil
juice of 1 lime
2 garlic cloves
1/8 cup of sesame seeds
1 tsp of salt
Pinch of paprika for aesthetics
Butternut squash does hold many health benefits. Most importantly, it contains an abundance of antioxidants which we know reduces inflammation. This, in turn, can reduce your risk of many chronic diseases. Butternut squash is high in fiber and low in calories which makes it a great choice for weight loss. One cup of butternut squash is only 63 calories but can keep you full for a long period of time. The abundance of fiber in butternut squash can aid in decreasing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition, butternut squash includes the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin which can be converted into Vitamin A. Vitamin A aids in a healthy immune system and optimal eye health.
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