Butternut Squash Braised With Cream And Fresh Thyme Recipes

BUTTERNUT SQUASH BRAISED WITH CREAM AND FRESH THYME

Steps:

• Cover the squash with a generous amount of salted water in a large saucepan and boil for 5 minutes.
• Drain well.
• In a slow cooker, combine the squash, butter, onions, garlic, cream and salt and pepper.
• Set the cooker on low and cook for 6 to 8 hours, adding the fresh thyme in the last hour of cooking.
• When the squash is tender, turn off the slow cooker.
• This dish can sit for an hour or two before serving.

BRAISED BUTTERNUT SQUASH IN SPICED COCONUT GRAVY

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook squash, a cut side down, until browned underneath, about 3 minutes. Turn onto other cut sides and cook, undisturbed, until browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and add shallots, garlic, and ginger to same skillet. Cook, stirring often, until translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, salt, chile powder, cayenne, and turmeric. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low; return squash to skillet and spoon some sauce over. Cover and cook until squash is fork-tender, 20-25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast almonds in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
• Remove squash from heat, uncover, and squeeze lime juice over. (If oil starts to separate from sauce while squash sits, gently whisk to emulsify before serving.) Top with almonds and cilantro. Serve with rice if desired.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH BROWNED BUTTER AND THYME

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Add the butter, whisking frequently. Continue to cook the butter.
• Once melted it will foam up a bit, then subside. Honey-colored browned milk solids will begin to form.
• The butter should have a wonderful nutty aroma. Remove from heat. Add the thyme, whisking continuously. If using fresh thyme, the mixture will foam up a bit.
• (Note that it doesn't take much time to go from browned butter to burnt butter. You will want to remove the pan from the heat element and place it on a cool surface to help stop the cooking of the butter. If the butter burns, I recommend dumping it and starting over, something I've had to do on occasion when not paying close attention.).
• Add the cubed butternut squash pieces to the pan and return the pan to the burner, heating to medium high.
• Use a wooden or metal spoon to stir the squash pieces so they are all well coated with the butter thyme mixture. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
• Spread the squash pieces out in an even layer and let cook, without stirring, so that they brown a bit on one side (several minutes).
• Stir and spread the pieces out again and let cook without stirring so more sides get browned.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let cook until the squash is tender, 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how big you cut the pieces.
• Add more salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle with a bit more chopped fresh thyme before serving.