Getting Excited About Winter

[Cat]

What do I love about winter?

The fact I may have finally killed my SAD,,,,killed it with spikes on my boots, poles in my hands, and a trail to climb.

I have a lovely* pumpkin soup recipe I will post when I get home



*I'm braggin, but I think its damn good

[TelephoneAngel]

Just started this week watching tv with boyfriend on sofa while tucked up in amongst loads of cushions and the quilt.

[telecom_goddess]

Basically you can add anything you like to the pumpkin soup but the basic recipe is

fry an onion and a little chopped garlic in oil meanwhile roast the flesh of the pumpkin in a little oil in the oven add the flesh to the onion mix with a pint or so of stock (I use vegetable stock but you can use mixed herbs if you have no stock) blend it in the blender and then serve with a swirl of cream and sond croutons or roasted pumpkin seeds

If you want a richer taste you can add a little tomato or a little white wine or roast some red peppers with the pumpkin flesh

Sounds good how long do you roast pumpkin for I don't think I've ever used actual fresh pumpkin for anything...and at what temp?

[TelephoneAngel]

Sounds good how long do you roast pumpkin for I don't think I've ever used actual fresh pumpkin for anything...and at what temp?

Hello TG. I don't do it precisely.I only ever throw things into the oven at the highest temperature and then look at it every few minutes to check it isn't burning. you want it so that the outside is becoming a little golden and you can stick a knife into it quite easily.As you are going to be blending it for the soup you want it quite soft.

If you want to try eating the roasted pumpkin flesh as an accompaniment to a meal (you can but I have never done this) you might not want it to be as soft as for the soup.

[KiaKat]

New recipe! Good base for a lot of different things, or a side dish, or just as a main dish!

1 small butternut squash (can substitute any fall or winter squash)
3T butter
2-3T olive oil
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 1/3 cups couscous (dry)
3oz goat cheese (or another soft cheese, adjust to taste)
Salt, Pepper, any other herbs or spices you may like

Peel and cube the squash.
Toss the squash & garlic in the olive oil, then spread on a baking sheet and sprinkle with salt & pepper
Roast at 400 for 10-15 minutes (depending on size of cubes and resistance of garlic), check every few minutes to make sure the garlic isn't burning and the squash is roasting nicely. Adjust temp/time as necessary
Pull from oven and set aside to cool.

Bloom couscous according to directions in a large bowl
Add the (now cooled) squash & garlic, and toss to mix. Taste and add salt/pepper/spices as necessary.
Mix in small chunks of the goat cheese or other soft cheese.

Can be a base for a sausage dish, a gamey-meat dish, or roasted chicken. If doing the chicken:

Take bite-size chunks of already-roasted chicken and mix in with couscous. Press into a pie pan and top with cheese. Bake at 350*F for 15 minutes, or until the top starts to brown and the cheese is melty.

Nom.

[Magpie]

Sounds good how long do you roast pumpkin for I don't think I've ever used actual fresh pumpkin for anything...and at what temp?

But... how do you survive without pumpkin pie?

And if we're sharing squash recipies: http://www.vikingrange.com/consumer/...id=prod1980082

I froze some of the giant butternut squash that I roasted the other day (it was 4.9 kg), Jackdaw is going to make this for dinner on Friday.

[telecom_goddess]

But... how do you survive without pumpkin pie?

I don't trust me I generally buy it to save myself some work during Thanksgiving...but if i make it that's what the canned pumpkin is for

[Bella_Vixen]

that's what the canned pumpkin is for

If you can find it.

[Cat]

My pumpkin soup:


1 16 oz can of pumpkin puree
1 1/3 cups vegetable broth
3 cups soy milk
spices as you wish (I used cayenne and paprika like they are going outta style)
4 Field Roast Grain "sausage"
salt and pepper to taste
1 can black beans

Usually only takes 15 mins to cook. You can (of course) make it non-veg and use meat instead of Field Roast (I wonder if venison would be good....if any one does that, let me know)

[Becks]

If you can find it.

What? Even the hell hole doesn't have it? I thought we had an infinite supply...

[blas]

Errr....being able to cover up all the weight you gained during the time of great cold and much snow hibernation with multiple layers of clothes, since it's no time of year to be showing skin.

Let's see....no more bugs outside, they are all dead. Or now living in your house.

That's all I can find. I hate winter. Wrong thread.

I just got a new car and I'm so scared of icy and snowy roads.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Blas just reminded me of another thing I do like about winter:

No mosquitoes around to eat me alive outside.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Tomorrow I'm going to up and get me a set of fleece sheets, which I'm told are warm and very comfy.

At least that's how they feel when I'm picking them up to stock them.

it's no time of year to be showing skin.

Like that stops people.

[Bella_Vixen]

What? Even the hell hole doesn't have it? I thought we had an infinite supply...

We were out for the better part of a year. Got some in for a week or so. Was out for a week or so. Once again, have some in...probably for a week or so.

[TelephoneAngel]

Errr....being able to cover up all the weight you gained during the time of great cold and much snow hibernation with multiple layers of clothes, since it's no time of year to be showing skin.

Let's see....no more bugs outside, they are all dead. Or now living in your house.

That's all I can find. I hate winter. Wrong thread.

I just got a new car and I'm so scared of icy and snowy roads.

This is a really good post.Yes all the wasps go away.And you dont have to have a perfect figure in layers of clothing. I hate driving in winter fog and ice too.

Apparently this winter in Europe is going to be the coldest for 1000 years according to Polish scientists. BRRRRRRRRRRRRR