Kitchenaid Potato Bread Recipe

One of the joys of a Kitchenaid is how much easier it is to make bread, cookies, and cakes.  This recipe for potato bread comes out moist, soft, and rises beautifully.  If you like Martin’s potato bread, you’ll like this too.

I have adapted the recipe from All Recipes.  First, I reduced the recipe to make one loaf instead of two. I have no room for two loaves. I also exchanged the shortening for butter.

Measure the flour over the surface you want to use to shape the bread.  Any extra flour will pre-flour the counter.

The Kitchenaid makes the whole dough preparation process faster.  You don’t have to mix the dough as long as the original recipe.  And, there’s no need to keep scraping down the sides. You also don’t have to stand and knead the bread for 10 minutes.  Just swap out the paddle for the dough hook and let the machine do all the work.

Check to see if the dough is kneaded enough by poking it with your finger.  If it is, it will bounce back when you poke it.

After it rises, poke the dough again. If it stays indented, it is ready to bake.

The rising times are approximate since the speed will depend on conditions in your home that particular day. Sometimes it takes a bit longer.

Here’s one before baking

potato bread unbaked

And here it is out of the oven

potato bread baked



 




Tools and Ingredients for This Recipe

Norpro loaf pan

Norpro Stainless Steel Bread Pan

I admit it, I’m hard on my pans.  Not this one. I’ve had it for years and it looks brand-spanking-new.  The food doesn’t stick, no matter what I make in it: bread, meatloaf, apple bread (full size recipe), you name it. Whatever I do, it cleans up easily.  Yay! Because I love cooking, but not cleaning.

 

Norpro bench scraper/chopper

 

You may not have heard of a bench scraper. Or think you need one. But, if you’re going to bake bread, or make noodles, or pastry, you need one.  It lifts the dough up easily, so you can get it all into the bowl without struggling.  Or, use it to chop veggies, and then transfer them to a pan or pot.

NSAF Instant Yeast

Saf Instant Yeast, 1 Pound Pouch

I confess I got tired of buying those silly little packets of yeast. They were a dollar each, took longer to proof, and I kept running out.  Plus, some of them had cornstarch in them. I wanted yeast, not cornstarch. This is much better.  It’s much cheaper per use, you have enough to bake dozens of loaves of bread, and there’s nothing in there except yeast. The instant yeast works faster than the standard variety too.  Store it in the freezer so it lasts longer.

JK Adams French rolling pin

J.K. Adams FRP-1 Maple French Rolling Pin

A French-style rolling pin with no handles. You’d think handles would be easier to well, handle. Turns out they’re not.  It’s easier to hold on to this rolling pin because it’s longer and the ends are tapered. So. you have better control over what you’re doing and it’s easier to roll out the dough.

More Kitchenaid Bread Recipes

kitchenaid homemade breadKitchenaid Bread Recipes

Find out how to make all sorts of homemade breads, includes links to recipes for whole wheat, whole grain, French bread and more. Plus videos showing you how it works with your Kitchenaid mixer.

kitchenaid honey oat bread recipeKitchenaid Honey Oat Bread Recipe

Sweetened with honey, instead of sugar, with added oats for a more robust, richer flavor.  And oats add extra nutritional value too.

 

single loaf bread recipe kitchenaidSingle Loaf Bread Recipe Kitchenaid Stand Mixer

This possibly should be called “super easy bread.” You don’t have to shape it, and there are only a handful of ingredients.  It’s a crusty, rustic loaf, ideal for a cheese platter or dipping in olive oil and grated parmesan.

kitchenaid white bread recipeOne Loaf Kitchenaid Sandwich White Bread

An all-around basic white bread, that’s light and high enough for sandwiches.  It’s made with milk (to make it softer), but it will still support whatever sandwich fixings you pile up on it.

kitchenaid cinnamon bread

Easy Kitchenaid Cinnamon Bread

A single loaf of rich, delicious bread with a swirl of cinnamon. It’s technically bread, but feel free to have it for dessert if you want (I won’t tell).

 

single loaf challah recipeSingle Loaf Challah Recipe for Kitchenaid Stand Mixer

One perfect golden brown challah for the holidays. This one is round for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but you can make it braided for other times or Shabbat dinner.  If you’ve never heard of challah, think brioche, with lots of egg and no butter.

Poached Pears with Chocolate Sauce and Ice Cream

It’s the holiday season, so that means it’s also dessert season.  Whether you’re having company, or just treating yourself, this recipe for poached pears with chocolate sauce and ice cream is going to be a hit. The long name makes it sound kind of complicated, but it’s really easy.

First, you poach the pears by letting them simmer gently in a bit of sugar and water.  Let them cool off a bit, then put them on a plate with ice cream and drizzle chocolate syrup over them.  It feels like you’re doing something fancy for company, but you don’t have to share!

Pears were on sale this week (three pounds for only three dollars!), and I just couldn’t resist making this recipe.  I used Bosc pears  but Bartlett or Anjou will work just fine.

The pears were exceptionally sweet, and that plus the sugar, and the ice cream made the original recipe (from The New York Times cookbook), a bit cloying.  Sweet is good, but not that sweet, so I reduced the sugar.  The full amount of sugar is 1/4 cup.  Use that if your pears aren’t that good.  If you have sweet, juicy pears, cut the sugar by a teaspoon or two.




Substitutions and Variations for Poached Pears with Chocolate Sauce and Ice Cream

  • Sprinkle some sliced or slivered almonds on top of the pears
  • Poach the pears with a pinch of ginger and a slice of lemon
  • Make your own hot chocolate sauce: combine 1/2 C cocoa, 1 C sugar, 1 C light corn syrup, 1/2 C light cream, 1/4 tsp salt, and 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan.  Cook on medium heat.  Stir the mixture constantly until it boils.  When it’s boiling merrily, you can cut back to stirring only occasionally. Let it boil for three minutes.  Take the pan off the burner and add  1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Serve the sauce warm over the pears.  You can store the rest in the refrigerator and serve it with more pears, or over ice cream. Or, be really decadent and serve it over small batch brownies.

More Dessert Recipes

pear dessert crepeEasy Pear Crepe Dessert Recipe for One Person

Dessert doesn’t have to be hard to be good. This one is ready in five minutes. The secret? That crepe isn’t a real crepe. Shhh. Don’t tell.

 

Rustic Pear Tart

Want sweets? Make this rustic pear tart. Warm, sweet, and fragrant with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of ginger.

 

 

cinnamon sugar bananasCinnamon Sugar Bananas with Brandy

Got five minutes? You can make a fancy dessert. Rum, brandy, and cinnamon, plus gently heated bananas. Great by itself, or topped with ice cream.

 

Peach Crumble Recipe for One

Take advantage of juicy summer peaches and toss together this peach crumble topped with butter, cinnamon, and sugar.

 

cinnamon sugar apple breadSmall Batch Cinnamon Sugar Apple Bread

The perfect treat, downsized for one person. Packed with apples and finished off with a crackling cinnamon sugar topping.

 




Shakshouka for One

Shakshouka doesn’t roll off the tongue when you try to say it.  Maybe it’s a Middle Eastern market?  Or a new folk dance?  It is Middle Eastern spicy poached eggs, either Tunisian or Israeli (depending who you ask, or which ingredients you use). If you make it with onions and bell peppers, it’s Israeli.  On the other hand, if you serve it up with feta or potatoes then it’s Tunisian.

This shakshouka for one recipe is actually two recipes that I mind melded together (one from column A and one from column B) to get what I wanted.

Also, for some reason, I thought it had spinach.  So, I washed and chopped 1/4 C of spinach. Only to find out there was no spinach in either recipe.  I added it anyway. Why waste perfectly good spinach? Besides it adds extra color and flavor, which I think worked out well.

The real recipe ingredients are poached eggs, tomato, onions, bell peppers, and some cayenne for kick.

I’m calling it lunch here, but it works well as a light dinner too. You can put the whole thing together in only 20 or 25 minutes.

So, easy, and no fussing. The hardest part is making sure you don’t break the egg yolks.

Serve it with lots of crusty bread to sop up the sauce.




Substitutions and Variations for Shakshouka for One

  • Slice and fry up a potato in some olive oil, then proceed with the rest of the recipe
  • Add some sliced spicy sausage (merguez would work beautifully)
  • Sprinkle it with some feta cheese
  • If you do break the eggs, just scramble them

More Egg Recipes

egg and tomato gratinEgg and Tomato Gratin for One Person

“Fast” food doesn’t have to mean heavy and greasy. This egg dish is different. Great for brunch or a light lunch.

 

cherry tomato basil frittataCherry Tomato Basil Frittata

Delicious food doesn’t have to be complicated. This recipe has only four ingredients. And you probably have most of them already.

 

egg chili cheese wrapEgg Chili Cheese Wrap Recipe

A quick meal with a bit of a kick. Ready in about fifteen minutes with pantry and fridge staples.

 

eggs with spinach and chili pepperEggs with Spinach and Chili Peppers

Brighten your day with this delicious and colorful frittata. It’s another “fast” food meal, ready in minutes. And only requires one skillet too.

 




Chicken Caprese Salad Panini Sandwich

Caprese salad meets the classic grilled cheese sandwich with a bit of roast chicken added and poof, you’ve got a chicken caprese salad panini. Perfect when you’re in a hurry and want something to eat fast! This chicken caprese salad sandwich feels rich and decadent, but you don’t need to invest a lot of time or effort to make it.  You don’t really even have to measure much of anything.

The market had some beautiful Campari tomatoes on sale, right next to the fresh mozzarella.  I couldn’t resist.  So, I put that together with some basil, leftover roast chicken, and a fresh loaf of ciabatta bread. Voila! The chicken caprese salad panini sandwich.

I started with leftover roast chicken, so I didn’t need to make the chicken.  If you already have cooked chicken, just pop it into the sandwich.  Some leftover rotisserie chicken would work nicely. All you have to do now is grill the bread, melt the cheese, and add the tomatoes and basil.

If not, see the substitutions and variations section below for ideas on how to cook the chicken.

The bread does tend to slurp up the olive oil, but really it’s worth it! The sandwich gets golden brown, and the cheese is gooey and melty. It’s your favorite childhood grilled cheese sandwich for grownups!

Do use the fresh mozzarella if you can get it. It’s far more flavorful (and I think it melts better) than the pre-packaged kind.




Substitutions and Variations for Chicken Caprese Panini Sandwich

  • Saute some mushrooms (do that first) and add them to the sandwich at the end.
  • Start with fresh chicken breasts (season with salt/pepper/balsamic vinegar/olive oil) then gently cook in olive oil
  • Or, season the chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.  Cook that in a bit of olive oil
  • Add some avocado
  • Get an extra serving of veggies and put in a few spinach leaves
  • Or, try cooking it in the broiler instead (less oil needed)

More Sandwich Recipes

bacon spinach tomato aioli sandwichBacon Spinach Tomato Aioli Sandwich Recipe

Remember the classic BLT? This one is a bit different. Besides the spinach, the plain old mayo is now a garlicky, lemony aioli. Fresher, brighter, and even more delicious.

 

three cheese grilled cheese sandwichThree Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Why settle for one kind of cheese when you can use three instead? I get the cut up cheese cubes (instant variety without more than I can eat).  Because who doesn’t like grilled, melty cheese?

 

vegetarian eggplant sandwichVegetarian Eggplant Sandwich for One Person

Take plain Israeli salad and turn it into an entire meal with tender eggplant, hummus, and pita.

 

 

strawberry balsamic grilled cheeseStrawberry Balsamic Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Another twist on grilled cheese, this time with sweet berries and tangy vinegar.  It’s an unexpected combination that works surprisingly well.

 




Moroccan Lamb Stew with Almonds and Raisins

The first time I made this Moroccan lamb stew I made a big pot of it for Passover. I was tired of the usual brisket and chicken for the holidays. So, mom and I made this instead.

It’s flavored with cinnamon, a touch of ginger, raisins, almonds, and lamb.  The lamb is cooked slowly, so it practically melts in your mouth.

While the full recipe is certainly worth making (and then freezing the leftovers), my freezer is tiny and too full of other food to do that right now.

So I “minified” the recipe (from The Book of Jewish Food) and made it for one instead.  Many Moroccan recipes call for somewhat exotic ingredients (if you’re a Westerner), such as sumac or ras el hanout.  This one doesn’t. It’s made entirely with ingredients that should be in any market.  And, once you start it cooking, there’s very little to do.

I have modified it slightly. She calls for honey and more water than I  have used. I left out the honey because I felt the raisins and the carrots (my own addition) were sweet enough.  I reduced the water, using just enough to soak the saffron. The lamb cooks nicely in its own fat, it doesn’t need the water.

I don’t have a slow cooker, but if you do, you could probably start your stew in the morning and have it ready when you come home from work.

Use either a lamb breast (bone-in) or a shoulder lamb chop. Shoulder cuts are also better for stews and long, slow cooking.

It’s great for a weekend dinner, washed down with some Zinfandel.




Moroccan Lamb Stew Tools and Ingredients

saffron

Spanish Saffron

Yes, it’s pricey, but it adds a unique flavor and beautiful color. Luckily, Amazon is easier (and likely less expensive and fresher) than the stuff in the supermarket.  Soak it first, then mash it with a spoon to release the flavor and color. You only need a little bit and you can use the rest for other dishes.

The Book of Jewish Food cookbook

The Book of Jewish Food

This book is part cookbook, part history, and part travelogue.  There are recipes from places you probably never thought of as “Jewish.” The ingredients aren’t always what you’d expect either. Sure there are recipes for challah, and potato pancakes, and noodle pudding.

But there’s also stuffed zucchini, meatballs in apricot sauce, lamb with artichokes, pita bread, and phyllo pastry filled with pistachios. She gives recipes, as well as a history of the people in each part of the world she covers. It’s like going on vacation, and sometimes traveling back through time, without leaving your couch.

More Moroccan and Lamb Recipes

moroccan chicken soupMoroccan Chicken and Lentil Soup

Yes, this is really “Jewish” food. Except it’s from Morocco, not Poland. Flavored with chicken, saffron, tomatoes and beans, enriched with noodles and turmeric.  Just the thing for a chilly day.

chicken with tomatoes and olivesChicken with Olives and Tomatoes for One

Another Jewish recipe, this time from North Africa. Flavored with buttery green olives, sweet tomatoes, and a little bit of ginger for kick.

 

greek lamb breastGreek Lamb Breast Recipe

Slow roasted in the oven with an easy marinade you can make in minutes.  Slow cooking brings out the garlicky, lemony flavor of the marinade and lets it penetrate into the meat.

spinach lamb meatballs

Spinach Lamb Meatballs

A cross-country collaboration rich with tangy vinegar, earthy spinach, and warm spice from cumin. Ready in minutes.

 

 




 

Sloppy Joe Recipe for One Person

Have you ever gotten a a mad, out-of-blue craving for something?  A meal or a treat you just have to have?  This week, I had this crazy yen for Sloppy’s Joe’s. Unfortunately, most of the recipes I found were too big and had too much tomato sauce.  I wanted “sloppy joe’s” not “bathe in tomato sauce joes.” And, many of the recipes were also too bland. The only sloppy joe recipe for one person that I found was made with tofu. Nope.

Since I’d been feeling ambitious earlier in the week, I had fresh grass-fed beef on hand, and even homemade buns. If you want to make your own buns, try the recipe at King Arthur Flour’s website. If you don’t want to bother, that’s fine too!

In order to boost the flavor, I added a bit of sriracha to the sauce and increased the Worcestershire sauce slightly.

The recipe includes two different amounts for the ketchup and the tomato sauce, so you can adjust the sauce/beef ratio to your own preferences.

Yes, it was messy. But it was also really good! I have put this under “dinner,” but really you could make it for a weekend lunch too, since it’s easy.




Sloppy Joe Recipe Substitutions and Variations

  • Make it with ground turkey or chicken instead of beef
  • Kick up the heat with chili garlic sauce instead of sriracha
  • Try half a chopped jalapeño pepper or red pepper flakes
  • Add some chili powder and mustard, then balance that with a bit of brown sugar

More Ground Beef Recipes for One Person


Swedish meatball loafSwedish Meatball Loaf Recipe for One

A classic, with a twist. No rolling, no careful cooking, just pop it all in a pan and bake. Easy! Great with just some rice (serve the sauce over both).

 

spicy stovetop chiliSmall Batch Spicy Stovetop Chili Recipe

Take your chili up a notch with a surprise ingredient (sriracha). Sure it may sound surprising, but Asia got the peppers from the Americas, so it works out.  A small batch, so you’re not overwhelmed by chili.

compound butter cheeseburgerCheeseburger with Compound Butter

Adding butter (and some herbs) pops the flavor of your burger and also keeps it moist and juicy.

 

moussaka without bechamelMoussaka Without Bechamel Sauce Recipe

Like moussaka? Hate all the fussing to make it? This version is much easier. No bechamel required, and fewer pans.  Plus, spicy/warm cinnamon and nutmeg, the bite of garlic and onion, tender eggplant, ground beef, and tomatoes.

 

 

 




Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Apples

There’s nothing better and more comforting than hot soup on a chilly, blustery day. This curried butternut squash soup with apples is perfect for cold fall or winter weekends when squash are plentiful. I had quite a bit of squash left over from making roasted cinnamon nutmeg butternut squash, so this was the perfect way to use it up.   I have adapted the recipe from The Silver Palate Cookbook, with a few tweaks.

First, I cut the recipe in half, as the original recipe made 6 large servings.  Plus, I only had most of one squash left (not two!).  I also substituted apple cider for the apple juice called for in the recipe. This gives it more flavor than just plain apple juice.

One more note, I recommend that you use a mild curry in this recipe (not something super-hot and spicy as it will overwhelm the flavor of the squash and the apples). I have a West Indian curry blend which is more savory than spicy; it works perfectly. If you can’t get the curry, try a teaspoon of ginger and a teaspoon of brown sugar.




Tools for Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Apples

cuisinart stick blender

Cuisinart  Immersion Hand Blender

The original recipe called for straining the soup, then putting it through a food mill or food processor, and then pouring it back into the original pot.

Doable, but a pain in the neck, and it means two more things to clean.  The immersion blender is much easier to use, and a lot easier to clean up too.  You just pop off the end and wash it.

Oxo peeler

Oxo Swivel Peeler

Butternut squash is notoriously hard to peel, but this gadget makes the job a snap. Using this peeler, peeling a squash is no harder than peeling a carrot.

The little hole in the pointed end is great for removing the eyes from potatoes, or taking out bruised spots from veggies.  Oxo was originally designed for people with arthritis, so the handle is soft, round, and easy to grip.

Silver Palate Cookbook

Do I mention this cookbook a lot? I think I do. I’ve gone through not one, not two, but three copies of it! Every recipe I’ve tried is a winner, from white bean soup with sausage and peppers, to peasant caviar (made with eggplant), duck (or chicken really) with forty cloves of garlic, six onion soup, and tomato dill soup. Plus a glorious apple pie recipe.

More Butternut Squash Recipes

butternut squash brown sugar vanilla

Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar and Vanilla

This is definitely a vegetable. Just look at it. It’s got squash right? Well, make it yourself, and close your eyes. You’ll swear it’s a dessert.

 

butternut squash cream sauce pastaButternut Squash Cream Sauce Recipe for One Person

Use up the remaining squash from your soup and make this creamy, rich sauce. It’s both sweet and savory, and absolutely wonderful over pasta.

 

roasted cinnamon nutmeg squashRoasted Cinnamon Nutmeg Butternut Squash

Warm cinnamon and sweet squash are a wonderful side dish for fall. Great with a a roast turkey or chicken.

 

 

 




Small Batch Cinnamon Sugar Apple Bread

This cinnamon sugar apple bread is a moist, sweet (but not too sweet), treat that’s chock-full of apple chunks, and topped with cinnamon sugar. It’s been miniaturized, so it’s the perfect amount for one person to enjoy.  No worries about overdoing it!

Perfect for Labor Day weekend (the traditional start of fall—and apple season) and for Rosh Hashanah, when we eat apples and honey for a sweet new year.

The cinnamon sugar combo in this bread is also called “snickerdoodle.” You may wonder why. The answer is: nobody knows. But somehow that’s become the name in the US for cookies and other baked goods flavored with cinnamon sugar.
The cinnamon sugar combo in this bread is also called “snickerdoodle.” You may wonder why. The answer is: nobody knows. But somehow that’s become the name in the US for cookies and other baked goods flavored with cinnamon sugar.

I vividly remember the first time I heard of snickerdoodle cookies. We were at an outdoor concert at Tanglewood. A woman near us had a big batch of them, packaged up in a large Tiffany box!

I brought a full-size version to my brother’s house for the holidays once. They gobbled it up! Pretty good, considering it was competing with mom’s New York cheesecake.

I have reduced the sugar and the vanilla, because the original recipe was far too sweet for me. The result is a delicious, and easy to make, quick bread (think banana bread, but with apples rather than bananas), that’s full of apple flavor and topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.

If you can get them, use a Canville Blanc D’Hiver apple (which is a French tart apple). If not, Granny Smith, Mutsu, or GingerGold will work well. You want an apple that’s firm, crisp, and not too sweet.

I once accidentally made this with cayenne (!) instead of cinnamon. I mention it because it was much better than I would have expected.  I’m not sure I’d do it again deliberately, but it did give me an idea (see the substitutions section).




Substitutions and Variations for Cinnamon Sugar Apple Bread

  • Add 1/2 tsp ground ginger and the seeds from two cardamom pods for some extra warm spiciness (skip the extra topping)
  • Give it a bit of a kick with some brandy or Calvados
  • If you’re brave, or like spicy sweets, go for the cayenne
  • Top the bread with bourbon sauce (2 T bourbon, 1/4 C sugar, 2 T butter, heated in a small pan) instead of the cinnamon/sugar.

Tools for Small Batch Cinnamon Sugar Apple Bread

Wilton mini loaf pan

Wilton Mini Loaf Pan

I’m having a grand time with these mini loaf pans. They allow me to make “half-size recipes” without a lot of leftovers. And I don’t have to worry about having bread or cake going stale before I can finish it.  Just take a recipe for a single loaf of bread, divide the dough in half, and you have two mini-breads.  Perfect!

More Fruit Dessert Recipes

cinnamon sugar bananasCinnamon Sugar Bananas with Brandy

A five-minute dessert that’s a real treat. Think streamlined Bananas Foster.  Great alone, or topped with ice cream.

 

easy one serving apple crisp recipeEasy One Serving Apple Crisp Recipe

You only need a single bowl to make this simple apple crisp.  It’s warm, spicy, sweet, and made with oatmeal. That makes it healthy. Right?

 

chocolate banana breadMini Chocolate Banana Bread

Plain banana bread is good. This is even better. It’s packed with rich, chocolatey goodness that takes ordinary banana bread to the next level.  Or, go all out and add chips too.

 

caramelized pineapple chunksCaramelized Pineapple Chunks for One Person

Cooking pineapple deepens the flavor and brings out the sweetness. Add chopped nuts for crunch. Dessert in minutes.

 




Easy Canned Tuna Curry

There are some nights when you want dinner and you want it quick. This easy canned tuna curry can be made in just a few minutes. There’s very little prep work.  The toughest bit is opening a can. Just cut up a bit of onion, chop some garlic, grate some ginger, and open a can of tuna. Yes, canned tuna.

If you make extra rice in advance (as I usually do), you just have to heat that up and you have dinner. It’s curry in a hurry.

I adapted this recipe from Madhur Jaffrey’s Quick & Easy Indian Cooking. Her recipe made two or three servings, which I have reduced. She calls for fresh chopped cilantro (which I never have, so I used a bit of dried coriander, which is the same thing). If you do have the fresh version, use 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons.

I have also simplified the preparation a bit.  Yes, it’s possible to want to speed up even a canned tuna curry recipe! I was in a rush! And I was hungry. Rather than slicing the onions into rounds, I chopped them.  I grated the ginger with my microplane zester, instead of slicing it into strips; I didn’t want to bite down on big hunks of ginger! Besides, this way is faster.

If you don’t have fresh ginger, ground is fine.  No fresh jalapeño? Use canned chilis instead. Don’t have that either? Red pepper flakes work too.

 




More Quick Fish Recipes

 

pan-fried tilapia with lemon butter saucePan Fried Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce

Just a few ingredients and you’ve got a fancy-looking dinner.  Tilapia is mild, so it’s a good “starter” fish.  It’s mostly pantry ingredients (you just need to buy fish; Trader Joe’s usually has it frozen).

fish fillet with yogurt sauceIndian Fish Fillet in Yogurt Sauce

A few minutes prep and twenty minutes of baking. The sauce tastes rich and creamy, but it’s made with yogurt so no guilt. There’s a bit of heat, but it’s subtle, not overpowering.

tuna cannellini bean saladTuna Cannellini Bean Salad Recipe for One

Got beans? Mix them with some tuna, serve with bread or fruit and you have a meal. You don’t even have to actually cook anything.  All pantry staples, other than the scallion. If you don’t have one, use onion.

greek fish with lemon and tomatoesGreek Fish with Lemon and Tomatoes

A few basic ingredients, an easy marinade and a quick pan-fry produces a delicious dinner in a few minutes.  One bowl, one pan, one meal.

 

 




Roasted Cinnamon Nutmeg Butternut Squash

Fall has finally arrived, and the temperature is dropping. It’s time to start thinking about butternut squash, apple crisp, and soups.  I found this recipe for roasted cinnamon nutmeg butternut squash tucked into a cookbook. I’ve no idea where I got it from, but the combination of cinnamon, apple cider, nutmeg, butter, and squash is classic.

Cinnamon and nutmeg add both a bit of warm spice and sweetness, and the apple cider is both tart and sweet. It’s also apple cider season, so all the ingredients are at their peak now.

Butternut squash are notoriously hard to peel, unless you have an Oxo Swivel Peeler, which makes this chore much easier.  Or, you can buy the pre-peeled squash.

The rest is just cutting up the squash (use a big, sharp knife), adding the spices, butter, and cider, and baking it in the toaster oven.




Substitutions and Variations for Roasted Cinnamon Nutmeg Butternut Squash

  • Add some chopped pecans or walnuts after 15 minutes of baking
  • Make it savory: replace the butter with chicken stock, skip the cinnamon and nutmeg, and use curry instead.
  • Bump up the sweetness with honey or maple syrup
  • Wash the seeds, pat them dry, and then roast them for 10 minutes in the same pan for a sweet, crunchy snack

Tools and Ingredients for Roasted Butternut Squash

Oxo peeler

Oxo Swivel Peeler

This peeler cuts through butternut squash skin with virtually no effort. It’s no harder than peeling a cucumber. I’ve had mine for years and it still works flawlessly. There’s even a little scoop at the end for de-eyeing potatoes or removing bruised spots. The handle is comfy and easy to hold. It works on apples, squash, cucumber, carrots, and hasn’t needed any extra care or sharpening. I did add a dab of red nail polish at the end to make it easier to find in my utensil holder.

six inch baking pan

Stainless steel 6 inch square pan

Most baking dishes are far too large for one person or small batch cooking. This is perfect. I use it for the squash, to bake brownies or coffee cake, and reheat leftovers. Goes in the oven and the dishwasher.

More Butternut Squash Recipes

butternut squash brown sugar vanillaRoasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar and Vanilla

It’s a veggie dessert! If you didn’t know it was a nice, healthy vegetable (packed with Vitamin A and C), you’d think you were having a dessert. Because that’s what it tastes like. But, it really is a vegetable!

butternut squash cream sauce pastaButternut Squash Cream Sauce Recipe for One Person

Roasted garlic, some cream, and parmesan balance against the sweet squash for a rich, creamy sauce. Punch it up with crumbled bacon or pancetta.

 

curried butternut squash soup with applesCurried Butternut Squash Soup with Apples

Mild sweet curry is a perfect foil for apples and squash. Filling, comforting, and perfect for a cool fall or winter day.