Diz's New Coat and Acorn Squash

(Diz! Looking very 80s)

It's getting colder here in Minneapolis. I think I saw snowflakes today, or was that a nightmare?

I got off work a little early so I came home and shoved my acorn squash in the oven while I figured out what to do with it.

I looked at a couple recipes then just decided to do whatever I wanted. The important part seems to be rubbing it with brown sugar. No complaints here.

1 acorn squash
1/2 an apple
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
1/2 cup cranberries
2 tablespoon olive oil

I cut the squash into quarters and smeared the inside part with brown sugar,
Baked it at 400 for 30 minutes,
In the meantime I cooked diced apple, frozen cranberries and sliced almonds with some olive oil in a pan for 3 or 4 minutes,
Added some cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves,
Put the mix over the squash and cooked it another 35 minutes.
Servings: 4
Approximate cost of whole recipe: $1.50 (cranberries and squash were on sale)

I'm really going to try and enjoy winter this year. This year that means more cooking and more dogs in coats. What will make you enjoy winter?

Halloween, Pumpkin Soup and FIRST POST

Last week was my Horror's of Crohn's and Colitis party. Even though half the expected number of people showed up I raised twice as much as I thought I would. Donations to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America from the party reached over $500!



The house was covered in cobwebs and beer cans the day after. Seven people stayed the night and we went through over 50 bottles of beer, 7 bottles of wine and 4 big bottles of hard alcohol. There was also pumpkin scones, pie, and witch's finger cookies. Considering the booze we went through, more food wouldn't have been such a bad idea.

I am still $125 short of my goal for November 16th! Read more and donate at...

http://www.active.com/donate/MN11TCVEGAS/rubyraces

As for actual Halloween I ate about 13 pieces of candy and made this for the Flam-liy.



I made this pumpkin soup, but with olive oil instead of butter, a little less sugar and light sour cream instead of heavy cream.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onions, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
Pinch ground cayenne pepper
2 (15 oz) cans pumpkin
2 cups of chicken broth
1 cups of skim milk
1/4 cup brown sugar

Servings: 4

Approximate cost: $3.50

Do go with it, I toasted a french baguette, cut it in half and filled it with just-cooked bacon, grammy smith apple slices and brie. Then it went in the oven for 5 minutes. So good.