Thanksgiving is coming! Prepared? While it may be a little early to buy sweet potatoes, it is the perfect time to take inventory of kitchen equipment. And here is a worthwhile reason:
A few years ago, friends of ours were hosting a group for dinner and they asked if I would prepare the meal. Of course, it was my pleasure to do this -- I was completely in my element. This was especially true since these friends have the most incredible kitchen, complete with a very utile 6 burner Wolf range, two dishwashers, and the most stunning Bernardaud dishes and flatware. But, when I started prepping the meal, I was shocked that their cookware, in particular their pots and pans, looked as if they had been purchased at a garage sale 35 years ago! They were ostensibly useless, dangerously worn and cheap. To say the least, I was worried. I was feeding 20 people and this crummy cooking equipment would undoubtedly destroy any attempts at a well constructed meal.
Luckily, I was able to pull the meal together and everyone seemed pleased. My gracious hosts heeded my advice and the very next weekend went to Williams Sonoma and bought the entire 20 piece All Clad set.
While there are many great cookware products, I am partial to All Clad. It is meticulously hand constructed here in America (suddenly feeling patriotic), is made to distribute heat evenly, and is the top choice for most home cooks and professional chefs alike. Cuisinart makes a slightly more affordable cookware set, and has some socially conscience eco-lines that are worth exploring.
One more note (before I get accused of kicking in an open door) -- I have been to many homes with garages filled with pricey foreign cars, but the parents cook with paltry pots that have hazardously worn out non-stick surfaces. It's interesting (troubling, really) to observe people who are more concerned about what gas they put in their cars than what is being put into their children's bodies. Make sure you are cooking with quality food and quality cookware!
Ok, enough on this! Let's cook something!
Butternut Squash Puree
This is what you will need:
3 medium sized Butternut Squash
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 tablespoon nutmeg (freshly ground)
salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Peel 3 medium sized butternut squash (buy them at your local farmer's market).
Carefully cut each in half and remove seeds.
Bake in the oven for 50-60 minutes until soft (but not mushy).
Put the warm cubes and any of the oil drippings into food processor and blend in the maple syrup, brown sugar, cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Test for taste. If desired, add a touch more maple syrup and brown sugar for sweetness.
If you wish to leave as a side dish, place the squash into a baking sheet and heat in the oven for 30 minutes before serving. If kids are around, add mini marshmallows to the top before baking. For Thanksgiving, this dish can be made a day or two in advance.
Butternut Squash Soup
If you have a hankering for soup, mix 1-2 cups of chicken broth (preferably home made) with the squash puree in a saucepan and bring to the desired temperature. Be sure to stir often as the soup tends to stick to the bottom of the pan.
I recently hosted a large dinner party and served this soup in demitasse cups/saucers to guests when they arrived at the door. It was a huge hit and screamed autumn!