Drunken Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

So, this soup is a "whatever veggies I have, roast them, throw in a pot with whatever liquid, cook and puree and hope it turns out tasty" type of soup. It turned out delicious :D But how can roasted veggies, fresh herbs and booze be a bad thing?

2 large servings

1/2 of a butternut squash, cut into 1 inch chunks

1 orange bell pepper, seeded and chopped into 1 inch chunks

1 peeled carrot, cut into...1 inch chunks

5-6 cloves of garlic (it's what I had left of a head of garlic), leave the peel on, make a pouch out of tinfoil and put the garlic in and drizzle about 1 teaspoon olive oil over it. Close the pouch (doesn't have to be perfectly closed).

1 small onion, peeled

around 4 tablespoons fresh thyme

Salt & pepper

olive oil cooking spray (or regular olive oil)

1/2 cup white wine

1 12 oz beer

1/2 cup water

getting ready to roast

roasted

1. Roast the vegetables on a baking sheet in a 400 degree oven (bake). I line my sheet with tin foil, then spray with the olive oil non-stick spray, spread the veggies out, spray a little more of the olive oil over the veggies, then season them with salt & pepper and the fresh thyme. I drizzled some olive oil on top of the onion. place the pouch of garlic on the sheet and them bake them all for about 15 minutes, then switch the oven to broil, and broil for another 10-15 minutes, or until tender and roasted. Immediately, open the garlic pouch to let it cool. Quarter cut the onion (let it cool a bit first).

2. Place the roasted vegetables into a medium sauce pan, over medium-high heat. The cloves of garlic should be soft enough to sort of squeeze them out of their peels. They should pop right out. Add the garlic to the pot. Add the wine to the pot. Let it come to a simmer with the veggies. Now you'll need some more liquid. This was the point when I wasn't too sure how long my veggie broth had been in the fridge, and it didn't smell too fresh...Oh, we have beer! But will beer & wine go well? I guess we'll find out, lol! So in goes the beer and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer, cover the pot with a lid and cook on low-medium heat for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and puree it with a stick blender, making sure not to splash yourself with the hot soup.

3. I served it immediately with some fresh thyme, goat cheese and some fancy hand-picked olives extra virgin olive oil (I do not cook with this, just served with food). And it was GOOD! I served it with BLT's...I know, not what you were thinking, but it went well with them!

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Lentil Tacos for Taco Tuesday!

Lentil Tacos

Serves 4

1 cup Moong Dal Lentils (usually found at Indian Markets). I prefer their texture.

1 small onion, finely minced

5-6 cloves of garlic, finely minced

1 lime, juice & zest

2 teaspoons cumin

2+ tablespoons chili powder, depending how spicy you like it (use less and adjust later, if you're unsure).

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1-1/2 cups liquid; vegetable broth, water or beer! (I usually do half beer, half water if I'm going that route).

Salt & pepper to taste, about 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch or so of pepper.

2 tablespoons canola, olive or your favorite cooking oil.

Your favorite taco toppings.

Corn or flour tortillas.

1.  In a medium saucepan, on medium heat, heat up the oil, and add the onions, cooking until soft. Add the garlic and seasonings, cook until fragrant, making sure not to burn the garlic. Add the lentils. Add the broth, zest and lemon juice, bring to a simmer, then drop the heat to low and cover with a lid. Cook for about 20-30 minutes, stirring about every 5 minutes, until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the lentils are al dente, not mushy...this isn't tostada night!

2. While the lentils are cooking, if you have a gas stove, cook your corn tortillas on a direct flame, about 20-30 seconds per side. This method brings out the delicious corn flavor, and toasting them gives them a smoky flavor, plus no extra fat! You could probably broil them on a sheet pan in the over for a couple minutes on each side. Maybe I'll try that someday..or maybe throw them on the grill.. Or cook them how you like. My local grocery store has those cute little street-taco-sized white corn tortillas. I <3 them.

3. Eat those taco's like you normally would eat a taco...loaded up with your favorite toppings. Here are some suggestions, just in case you've never had a taco before:

• Shredded lettuce or cabbage
• Cheddar, Monterrey Jack or Cojita Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Avocado
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Olives
• Pickled Jalapenos
• Fresh Lime juice
• Tomatoes
• White Onion

Enjoy!!