Tuesday 24 November 2015

Warming Autumn squash stew

This is an absolutely warming supper using butternut squash - a vegetable I have to admit I haven't cooked with before.  I've had this little recipe up my sleeve since the end of October - it's an ideal one to serve up around Halloween and Bonfire Night to keep you warm when having fun outdoors, but it's perfectly yummy throughout the Winter season, when you need something warming inside.  This recipe has been adapted from one I came across in a weekend supplement, it says it serves four, but we made it serve six quite easily, served up with creamy mashed potato.


3 tbsp sunflower oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
500g approx. (prepared weight) of butternut squash, peeled, de-seeded and cut into small chunks
400g can of chopped tomatoes
3 crushed garlic cloves
1 red pepper, de-seeded and roughly chopped
1 yellow pepper, de-seeded and roughly chopped
2tsp ground paprika
1 tsp of chopped ginger (from a jar) or 1 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
150g red lentils
850ml (1.5 pints) vegetable stock
1 small/medium courgette sliced
Salt and pepper for seasoning

Heat half the oil in large frying pan and fry the butternut squash pieces gently, stirring frequently, until softer and a little darker in colour.

In a large pan, heat the remaining oil and fry the onion until slightly browned. Stir in the crushed garlic, red and yellow peppers and all the spices, then pour in the tinned tomatoes, stir and cook for a good five minutes, continuing to stir if required.  Add the lentils to the pan along with the fried, softened, butternut squash.  Pour over the stock, stir and season.  Bring to the boil, add the courgette, stir, turn down the heat and cook for around 25-30 minutes, stirring often until the lentils are cooked thoroughly and the squash and courgette are tender.

2 comments:

Jan said...

Sounds like the ideal winter warmer. I'd bet it looks lovely too with all those great colours. :)
Popping by via the Folksy Forum x
Jan

Elaine, Ellies Treasures said...

Thanks for dropping by Jan :-)