Squash Soup

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lb of cubed squash (peeled delicata, butternut, etc.)
• One green apple, peeled and cubed
• One yellow onion, quartered
• Four cloves garlic
• Two carrots, chopped
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• ¼ tsp ground sage
• 3 springs rosemary (or ½ tsp dried)
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• Pinch of ground ginger
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ cup coconut milk

Preparations:

1. Roast vegetables. On a baking tray, drizzle some olive oil. Add the squash, onion, carrot, and garlic. Top with the chunks of apple. Drizzle with more olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add to an oven at 425F for 20 minutes, tossing halfway through. 
2. In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable broth and roasted vegetables. Add the spices and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
3. Add ¼ cup of the coconut milk and stir to combine. Remove the sprigs of rosemary. In batches, blend the soup in a blender (using a cloth to cover instead of the lid). Add more coconut milk if needed to blend smooth. Return to the saucepan. 
4. Serve with shredded cheese, feta, roasted pumpkin seeds, etc. 

Potato Wedges

Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes, rinsed
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Preparations:

1. Cut potatoes into wedges by cutting lengthwise in half then slice each half into 4 wedges.
2. Place potatoes in a very large bowl of water with about 2 cups of ice cubes. Let them stand for 30 min. then pat dry with paper towels.
3. While the wedges soak, in a small bowl, mix the rosemary into the olive oil and set aside.
4. Remove the wedges from the ice water, pat dry, and place them in a large ziploc bag.
5. In another small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Stir, then pour over the wedges. Close the bag and shake until evenly distributed.
6. Next, add the olive oil mixture to the bag and toss until potatoes are coated.
7. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place potatoes on the lined sheets and bake at 450˚F for 30-35 min, flipping midway through, until the potatoes are browned and crispy.

Sweet Potato and Potato Gratin

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 tsp dried thyme 
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/4 tsp finely grated nutmeg
• dash cayenne pepper
• 8-12 oz Swiss cheese, sliced
• 2 cups finely grated Parmesan
• 3 large white sweet potatoes
• 3 large Russet potatoes

Preparations:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Whisk the cream, milk, salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage, nutmeg, and cayenne in a big bowl. Set aside.
3. Peel the sweet potatoes (and Russets if so inclined), then using a food processor, slice the potatoes into thin rounds. If you don't have a food processor, use a mandolin or sharp knife by hand. Combine all slices in a large bowl and toss, mixing the two types of potatoes.
4. Pour 1/2 cup of the cream on the bottom of a Dutch Oven to prevent the potatoes from sticking to the bottom. Then layer 1/4 of your potato mixture evenly on top. 
5. Drizzle 1/3 of the cream mixture on top, then sprinkle 1/2 cup Parmesan and top with a thin layer of Swiss.
6. Top with potatoes and repeat for another three layers. 
7. Cover with the Dutch Oven lid or foil and bake until bubbly, 15 minutes. If using foil, be carfeul to not let it contact the top cheese layer. 
8. Remove the lid, reduce the heat to 400°F, and bake until the top is golden and bubbly, 45-50 minutes.
9. Let cool slightly, then serve hot or at room temperature

Mashed Cauliflower

Ingredients:

• 1 large cauliflower, chopped into florets
• 4 oz low fat cream cheese
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 of an onion, finely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• a pinch of turmeric (for color)
• 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, leaves separated from stems
• salt and pepper, to taste

Preparations:

1. Bring a medium pot of water to boil. Once boiling, cook the cauliflower for 8-10 minutes or until fork tender. Remove and drain cauliflower. It is important to give the cauliflower plenty of time to drain so that the mash isn't too runny.
2. Meanwhile, saute the onion in a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Let the onion saute for roughly 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat down to low, add the garlic, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the garlic starts to golden. Transfer the mixture to your food processor.
3. Add the cauliflower to the food processor with the cream cheese and the butter. Process for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until it is smooth and creamy. 
4. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse several times until completely incorporated.

Roasted Red Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs red potatoes, quartered or cut into one inch chunks, skin on
• 2 Tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
• 1/2 tsp powdered garlic
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp pepper

 Preparations:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, toss together all the ingredients until evenly coated.
3. Place potatoes on a foil lined pan. 
4. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, stirring once.

Rosemary Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary, crushed
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Preparations:

1. Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine. 
2. Select white bread cycle; press Start.
3. Note: with my bread maker, it takes 4 hours to make and bake this bread. Plan accordingly.