Winter Squash And Honey Almond Cranberry Salad Recipes

WINTER SQUASH AND PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM TAMALES

Steps:

• For the red tamale sauce: Add the ancho chiles, California chiles, onions and garlic to 4 cups boiling water. Turn off and let rest for 30 minutes. Process until smooth in a food processor or a blender (including the water).
• Heat oil in a soup pot, then add cumin and oregano. Cook, stirring, until fragrant. Add pureed chiles, vegetable stock, sugar and salt and let simmer, 10 minutes. Add can of red chili sauce and stir to heat thoroughly.
• For the filling: Pour oil into a saucepan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, squash, garlic, oregano and some salt. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are glazed and no longer crisp, approximately 10 minutes. (The filling does not need to be tender because it will also cook while tamales are steaming.)
• Add 3/4 cup red tamale sauce to the filling and let cool.
• For the masa: Mix together masa, baking powder and salt in a large bowl until incorporated. Stir in the vegetable stock and 1/2 cup red tamale sauce.
• Beat the vegetable shortening in a stand mixer until fluffy, then beat in masa mixture with the mixer running until evenly incorporated.
• Soak the corn husks in hot water until softened and pliable, about 15 minutes. Drain and squeeze water from husks.
• Spread masa on the less ridged side of a corn husk, across all but the pointed end, with a spatula or the back of a spoon, Fill each with 2 to 3 tablespoons squash and mushroom mixture.
• Roll tamale by folding one long side about a third of the way over the filling, then the other side, and folding the long pointed end against the tamale (this will leave the filling exposed on the opposite end, and that is okay). Push two black olives into masa on the open end of each tamale.
• Place a steamer rack in a large pot filled with just enough water so the bottom of the rack sits just above the water line. Line the rack with flat corn husks. Place rolled tamales in pot on the rack, open-side up. Drop two pennies in the bottom of the pot. Cover the tamales with more flat husks. Cover the rack with a clean dish towel. Cover the large pot with a tight fitting lid or aluminum foil and steam for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. (The pennies will dance and tinkle furiously when the water comes to a boil. Turn the heat down until the pennies dance to a relaxing beat. If you no longer hear the pennies, you have boiled away the water, and you had better add more?fast!)
• Serve tamales with additional red tamale sauce.

CRUNCHY ALMOND ACCENTS HARVEST SALAD

Steps:

• 1) In a large bowl whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.
• 2) Core the endive and slice lengthwise into thin strips. Add the endive, greens and apples to the bowl; toss to coat well.
• 3) Serve salad on a large platter or divide to individual plates. Top with crumbed goat cheese and Almond Accents.

CRANBERRY ROASTED SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Transfer to two 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Roast until tender, stirring and rotating pans halfway through cooking, 45-55 minutes.

SALAD OF WINTER GREENS

Steps:

• My favorite thing about this recipe is putting the salad into the oven and lightly wilting it just before serving. A simple touch that makes the flavors more intense and the texture more inviting. Other simple touches that make the difference? Taking care that all the greens are thoroughly washed and dried. A mouthful with grit or excess moisture that dilutes the flavors of the dressing can make a great salad less than perfect.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, add the bourbon and the apple slices. Season with salt and black pepper and stir to combine. Set aside.
• Make the dressing: In a large bowl, or with a mortar and pestle, lightly crush the pecans until they are in small pieces and season with salt. Add the olive oil and whisk with the nuts to make a paste-like mixture. Stir in the cider vinegar and some black pepper. Set aside.
• When ready to serve, add the greens to a large bowl and stir in the dressing. Toss to coat the greens with the dressing. Transfer the salad to a platter (or individual plates). Put the platter in the oven with the door ajar until the greens wilt ever so slightly, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the apple slices. Cook's Note: if there is any excess bourbon, leave it behind in the bowl as you top the salad with the apples. Serve immediately.

CRANBERRY SALAD

Steps:

• Dissolve gelatin in hot water, then add cold water. Cool mixture and set aside.
• Wash and grind cranberries. Pare and chop apples (and oranges, if using) into small chunks.
• Stir together the ground cranberries, chopped apples and oranges (or pineapple) nuts, and sugar.
• Add to slightly thickened gelatin mixture; then pour into a mold and chill until salad is firm and holds its shape. Unmold onto salad greens.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH CRANBERRIES AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Bring chicken stock, butternut squash, red onion, and cranberries to a boil in a saucepan, reduce heat to low, and simmer until squash is tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. Drain.
• Heat butter and olive oil together in a large skillet over medium heat. Gently stir butternut squash mixture into hot butter and oil; sprinkle with brown sugar. Gently flip vegetables when browned, about 5 minutes per side. Sprinkle with almonds, Parmesan cheese, and salt.

ALMOND CRANBERRY SQUASH BAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the squash, 2 tablespoons butter, salt, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Stir cranberry sauce until softened; spoon over squash. , Combine the almonds, brown sugar and remaining butter; sprinkle over cranberry sauce. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.