Posts tagged nuts
roasted butternut squash & arugula salad + blood orange vinaigrette

you guys. it got me . for the first time in twelve years, i came down with the flu over the weekend. after a full two days in bed, and moaning over and over to wes that i thought i was going to die, i'm finally out of bed and feeling better. 

while i'm back on my feet, from what i've heard, the recovery is slow. so now that i'm back on solids, i'm pumping myself full of all that keeps you healthy. i whipped up a tasty, nutrient packed salad that is as beautiful as it is healthy. 

roasted butternut squash salad + blood orange vinaigrette

serves: 2

prep time: 1 hour

active time: 5 minutes

total time: 1 hour 5 minutes

ingredients: 1 cup butternut squash cubes (about .5 inch pieces). 1 tbs kosher salt. 1 tsp fresh ground pepper. 2 tbs brown sugar. .5 cup olive oil. .25 cup red wine vinegar. 1 garlic clove, minced. 4 cups arugula. .25 cup spiced pistachios (or spiced mixed nuts if you prefer) .25 cup shredded white cheddar cheese. 2 blood oranges, segmented and the juice reserved (if you don't have access to blood oranges you could sub whatever orange you can get your hands on). baking sheet. parchment paper. 

IMG_2597.JPG

start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees f. toss together the butternut squash, half the salt, half the pepper, half the brown sugar and 1 tbs brown sugar. mix it all together until the butternut squash is lightly coated. roast the butternut squash for 40-45 minutes until the edges are nice and browned and a bit crispy. check them once about half way through to stir so everything cooks evenly.

IMG_2595.JPG

while the squash is roasting, make your vinaigrette. use your reserved blood orange juice and combine it with the garlic, remaining olive oil, red wine vinegar, and the remaining salt, pepper and sugar. whisk it up well with a fork to combine and set aside. when your squash is ready, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool.

IMG_2598.JPG

while the squash cools, fill a bowl with the arugula and drizzle it with your dressing. toss well.

IMG_2599.JPG

then add in your orange segments, cheese, nuts and squash.

IMG_2600.JPG

toss till just combined and serve. 

IMG_2604.JPG

xo, a

roasted butternut squash salad + blood orange vinaigrette

serves: 2

prep time: 1 hour

active time: 5 minutes

total time: 1 hour 5 minutes

ingredients: 1 cup butternut squash cubes (about .5 inch pieces). 1 tbs kosher salt. 1 tsp fresh ground pepper. 2 tbs brown sugar. .5 cup olive oil. .25 cup red wine vinegar. 1 garlic clove, minced. 4 cups arugula. .25 cup spiced pistachios (or spiced mixed nuts if you prefer) .25 cup shredded white cheddar cheese. 2 blood oranges, segmented and the juice reserved (if you don't have access to blood oranges you could sub whatever orange you can get your hands on). baking sheet. parchment paper. 

start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees f. toss together the butternut squash, half the salt, half the pepper, half the brown sugar and 1 tbs brown sugar. mix it all together until the butternut squash is lightly coated. roast the butternut squash for 40-45 minutes until the edges are nice and browned and a bit crispy. check them once about half way through to stir so everything cooks evenly. while the squash is roasting, make your vinaigrette. use your reserved blood orange juice and combine it with the garlic, remaining olive oil, red wine vinegar, and the remaining salt, pepper and sugar. whisk it up well with a fork to combine and set aside. when your squash is ready, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool. while the squash cools, fill a bowl with the arugula and drizzle it with your dressing. toss well. then add in your orange segments, cheese, nuts and squash. toss till just combined and serve. 

tips & tricks: spiced pistachios

being a gourmet at home is not so much about using dozens of ingredients, tweezing your components onto your plate or molecular gastronomy. being a gourmet at home is all about doing small things that make a big impact to your guests, your kids, or just you. 

spiced nuts are an amazing and delicious snack to make and keep on hand. and the best part? anyone can make them. they are even great to make with your kids. there are no knife skills needed. 

now, the spice blend below will be delicious on any nut, but right now i am really loving pistachios. they are vibrant in color, bold in flavor and they are very high in protein making them almost meaty. they are great as a snack on their own, tossed in a salad or chopped up in a tasty cream sauce. 

spiced pistachios
serves: 8 oz pistachios
prep time: 3 minutes
cook time: 10 minutes
total time: 13 minutes
ingredients: 8 oz salted and roasted pistachios. 3 tbs butter. 1 tbs brown sugar. 1 tsp garlic powder. .5 tsp paprika. .5 tsp cinnamon. .25 tsp cumin. .25 ground pepper. .25 tsp cumin. pinch of cayenne pepper. 

IMG_9593.JPG

start by combining all your spices and the pistachios in a medium bowl. toss well so the spices are well combined. 

 

IMG_9586.JPG

in a medium pan, heat the butter over medium heat until melted and bubbling. 

IMG_9591.JPG

pour in the nut and spice blend and stir until all the nuts are lightly coated in spices and butter. 

IMG_9589.JPG

toast the pistachios until the brown sugar begins to caramelize and your spices begin to smell fragrant. about 7-10 minutes. make sure to stir the pistachio every couple minutes so everything toasts evenly. 

IMG_9590.JPG

remove from the heat and allow to completely cool. store in an airtight container for up to two months. 

IMG_9592.JPG

xo, a

spiced pistachios
serves: 8 oz pistachios
prep time: 3 minutes
cook time: 10 minutes
total time: 13 minutes
ingredients: 8 oz salted and roasted pistachios. 3 tbs butter. 1 tbs brown sugar. 1 tsp garlic powder. .5 tsp paprika. .5 tsp cinnamon. .25 tsp cumin. .25 ground pepper. .25 tsp cumin. pinch of cayenne pepper.
start by combining all your spices and the pistachios in a medium bowl. toss well so the spices are well combined.
in a medium pan, heat the butter over medium heat until melted and bubbling.
pour in the nut and spice blend and stir until all the nuts are lightly coated in spices and butter.
toast the pistachios until the brown sugar begins to caramelize and your spices begin to smell fragrant. about 7-10 minutes. make sure to stir the pistachio every couple minutes so everything toasts evenly.
remove from the heat and allow to completely cool. store in an airtight container for up to two months.