Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
2 large onions, chopped
2 Tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
5 cups chicken stock, homemade or low sodium
1 large butternut squash (approximately 8 cups), peeled, seeded, and chopped
3 firm, tart green apples, (such as Granny Smith) peeled, cored, and diced
1/2 cup heavy cream
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

Directions:

Place a heavy stockpot over medium heat. Add the butter and onions, sauteing until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the curry and chili powders and cook for another five minutes, stirring frequently to keep the onions from sticking to the pot. Pour in the stock and bring the liquid to a boil. Add the squash and apples to the pot. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the squash is tender. Using a stick blender in the pot or a regular blender (take care with hot liquids) puree the soup until it is smooth. Stir in the cream, and bring the soup back to a simmer. Taste the soup and add in salt and pepper as necessary. If making ahead, let the soup cool and place it covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Serve the soup warm, garnished with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or cilantro.

Cider and Bourbon

1 Jug Apple Juice

4 Orange Spiced Tea bags

A MILLION Cinnamon Sticks

Cloves of Cardamum

Bulleit Bourbon [amount depends on the kind of night you want to have]

Sliced Oranges

Combine Apple Juice, Tea bags, cinnamon, and cardamum in a large pot over the stove and bring to a boil. Turn stove off and add sliced oranges. Once slightly cooler, add as much bourbon as you like. Drink.

Flourless Brownie

Ingredients
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans, drained and rinsed
3 large eggs
1/3 cup melted butter, more for the baking dish
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cane sugar
1/2 cup gluten-free semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

Method
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Butter an 8-inch baking pan. Place the black beans, eggs, melted butter, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract and sugar in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Remove the blade and gently stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan. Bake the brownies for 30 to 35 minutes, or until just set in the center. Cool before cutting into squares.

(Made them. They are scrumptious little chocolate bean cakes.)

Curried Eggplant, Lentil, and Quinoa Burgers

Ingredients:

1 large eggplant
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
3/4 cup quinoa flakes
1 cup cooked lentils
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp cornstarch

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 F. Remove the top of the eggplant and cut it in half lengthwise. Place it cut-sides down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mat. Bake for 25 minutes or until the eggplant is completely sunken in and tender. Remove to a shallow dish and allow to cool completely. (You can do this even several days in advance and store in a covered container in the refrigerator.)

Once the eggplant is cool, discard any liquid that has accumulated and scrape the flesh from the peel. Place the pulp in a food processor and pulse a few times to make a coarse puree. Transfer to a medium-sized bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Mix very well and allow to stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicon baking mat. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Once it's hot, wipe or spray it with a little pan spray or canola oil. Wet your hands and form eggplant mixture into patties about 3 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. (You can also form the burgers by spooning the mixture into the pan and using the back of a spoon to shape it into patties.) Cook three or four at a time until lightly browned and then carefully flip over and brown the other side.
Remove with a spatula and place each burger on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until burgers are cooked through.

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