Butternut-Squash Chicken Chili

Fall is upon us and it's time for some great soups, stews, and chilis! This butternut-squash chicken chili has a kick for those wishing for a little spice, as well as a little sweetness from the butternut squash for the perfect combination of flavors! Put on a sweater and enjoy a nice hot bowl tonight!

Ingredients:

- 2 Tbs olive oil, divided

- 2 cups, cubed peeled butternut squash

- 2 Tbs minced garlic

- 1 cup chopped yellow onion

- 1/2 chopped red pepper

- 1 Tbs minced jalapeno peppers

- 1 tsp. ground cumin

- 1 tsp. dried oregano

- 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt

- 4 cups unsalted chicken stock

- 2 cups cannellini beans, rinsed, drained, and divided

- 1 lb. cubed cooked boneless skinless chicken breast

- 3 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro

Heat a large dutch oven or large sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and swirl to coat. Add squash and sauté for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned on all sides. Remove squash from pan and set aside. 

Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to pan. Add the garlic and next 7 ingredients (through kosher salt) to pan; sauté until vegetables are tender. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Place one cup of the cannellini beans in a small shallow bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork. Add mashed beans, remaining 1 cup beans, and reserved squash to pan. Cook 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in chicken and cook until heated through. Enjoy a bowl sprinkled with fresh cilantro! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower." 

- Albert Camus 

Spinach-Ricotta Dumplings

These pillowy and creamy spinach and ricotta balls are simply divine!

Ingredients:

- 1, 10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 1/2 cups low-fat ricotta cheese
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 2 1/2 oz. shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 egg
- marinara sauce (I used Classico brand)
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup flour to coat dumplings

In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients together down to marinara sauce but not to include the marinara sauce. Sprinkle about 1/4 to 1/3 cup flour in a separate shallow bowl. Drop a large tablespoon of the ricotta mixture into the flour to coat, and gently roll into a ball. Set the ricotta balls/dumplings onto a separate plate until all the ricotta mixture has been used and you have about 24 dumplings. Place marinara in large skillet over medium heat; cover and keep warm. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add about 5 dumplings at a time to water and cook for 6 minutes (do not boil). Remove dumplings from sauce pan with a slotted spoon and place in the marinara to keep warm. Repeat with remaining dumplings. Enjoy over pasta or, as shown in the picture, boiled squash strands. If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"Do not raise the bar any higher for yourself, until you have celebrated what you have already accomplished." - Anonymous