'Fancy kitchens don't mean better cooking or better food' is Number 3 of Keeper's Manifesto in Keepers Two Home Cooks Share Their Tried-and-True Weeknight Recipes and the Secrets to Happiness in the Kitchen (Rodale, August 2013) by Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion…
Their pick of recipes spells-smells like home comfort.
As Fall temperatures set in, dropping to mid-50's high in past couple of days, it is definitely squash time.
ROASTED ACORN SQUASH WITH JALAPENO-LIME
BUTTER
SERVES 4
Never know what to do with acorn
squash? Halve a couple, season the cut sides, and throw them in a
400°F oven. About 40 minutes later, the golden flesh is soft, sweet,
slightly caramelized, and ready to eat. We like it just fine with a
big pat of butter (and another generous sprinkle of salt and pepper),
but it’s awfully good with this jalapeño-lime butter, too.
Like most compound butters–which are
ideal for adding lots of flavor with minimal effort–it will keep
well in the freezer for about 2 months so long as it’s tightly
covered, so we usually make a quadruple batch and portion it into
small ramekins or plastic containers. (You can also roll up the
butter in parchment paper logs; this yields nice slices later, but we
find the process a little fussy.) Use it wherever you want a spicy,
citrusy, buttery touch.
2 small acorn squash (about 1 1/2
pounds each), halved lengthwise and seeded
Olive oil for coating the squash
Salt and pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 garlic clove, minced
1 to 2 tablespoons seeded and finely
chopped jalapeño
Grated zest of 1 lime
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon honey
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
–Preheat the oven to 400°F, with a
rack in the middle position. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or
foil for easier cleanup, if you like.
— Lightly coat the cut sides of the
squash with oil, then season with salt and pepper. Put the squash
cut-side down on the pan and roast until just tender, about 40
minutes.
— Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir
together the butter, garlic, jalapeños (to taste), lime zest and
juice, honey, red pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Check the
seasonings.
— Transfer the squash to plates,
cut-side up, smear each half with some of the jalapeño-lime butter,
and serve.
(* Recipe reproduced with permission from Keepers 'Two Home Cooks Share Their Tried-and-True Weeknight Recipes and the Secrets to Happiness in the Kitchen' by Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion- Rodale, August 2013- Photo Christopher Testani)