Okay, I promise this is not turning into a cooking blog. I love sharing my food adventures with you, but I won’t do it every day. And today is one of those days I will do it.

After a busy day of running errands, making supper tonight was actually fun.

Late this afternoon I ran to our nearby vegetable stand and bought the freshest produce. One item I bought was this butternut squash. You may be shocked to learn that I have never prepared or eaten butternut squash. I was excited but a little nervous. I mean, there must be a reason why everyone advises to bake it with lots of butter and brown sugar. What doesn’t taste good with lots of butter and brown sugar?

Once home I whipped open my beautiful new cookbook* and followed the directions to the letter—something I don’t always do.

As I try Erin French’s recipes, I imagine I am a real chef, making my dish both delicious and pretty. I enjoy transforming “making supper” into the art of cooking.

So. . .

tonight’s Roasted Buttercup Squash Cups were not a favorite of Gene or me. Let me explain. To be fair, I reduced the butter by two thirds to make it healthier (so much for making it taste good with lots of butter). I did not have shallots so I used white onions on the apple slaw, which was delicious! It had just a tablespoon of pure maple syrup (what else from a Mainer chef!) and yum! That recipe inside a recipe is a keeper that I will try when the kids are home.

Even though the squash was not our favorite, we both really enjoyed trying something new. And it was so pretty and fun to make.

Tomorrow night we will be eating the fare of the VFW as we attend Gene’s high school reunion.

Have a wonderful weekend! See you Monday!

 

*The Lost Kitchen: Recipes and a Good Life Found in Freedom, Maine by Erin French

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.