Winter Squash & Sage Chili

Ingredients:

1 lb  Sage sausage -or your favorite 

1 15-oz can cannellini beans, drained

1 12-oz pkg frozen winter squash puree, thawed

1 cup chunky-style chipotle salsa -or other salsa

1.5 cups water

1 3.5-oz pkg herb-flavored goat cheese, crumbled

  Fresh sage (optional)

Direction:

In large saucepan cook sausage over medium heat until brown and no pink remains, stirring to break up; drain fat.  Stir in beans, squash, salsa, and water.  Bring to boilin; reduce heat.  Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Serve in bowls; sprinkle goat cheese and fresh sage.

This was in the Better Homes & Garden magazine.  I loved it!  My loved the thickness the puree gave the soup.  Here were my changes:

1/2 lb. chicken sausage  (I randomly had this on hand - so I added lots of dry sage seasoning & I think garlic while cooking it.)

3 cups pumpkin puree  (I still have frozen pumpkin in my freezer from halloween -never carved, oops!)

Goat cheese?  sick!  Maybe some herbed feta -but I am not that fancy.  No cheese & no fresh sage.

I think I also added sauted onions & chicken bullion & salt & pepper  (afterall I at least doubled the squash)

Bruschetta

This is a favorite appetizer/snack at our house...here's OUR recipe. See what you think.

3-4 Roma Tomatoes chopped and diced into tiny pieces
1/2 white onion chopped and diced into tiny pieces, too
1/4-1/2 cup minced FRESH cilantro
Juice from 2 limes
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and Pepper to taste

1 baguette

Set your oven to BROIL. Cut your baguette into 1/2 inch slices and spread on butter and a little garlic powder. Place cut baguette pieces onto a baking dish and broil for 2-3 minutes.

Meanwhile, dice tomatoes and onions, mince cilantro, mix in lemon and lime juices, and add garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix together well so it looks like a nice, chunky pico de gallo salsa.

When bread comes out of the oven, spoon on your tomato mixture and eat like an open faced sandwich. You can't get enough...SO YUMMY!

Enjoy!