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Butternut Squash Stew

I have not been enthralled by a cookbook in a very long time.  Then I received Yotam Ottolenghi‘s gorgeous book Plenty.  As soon as I removed the wrapper and turned the first page;  I knew a love affair was about to begin.  The drool-worthy photographs and innovative recipes, made me want to cook every recipe in the book.

Before training at Le Cordon Bleu in London, where his acclaimed restaurants are located, Ottolenghi’s spent his youth in Israel.  After he served in the Israel Defense Forces, he studied philosophy and comparative literature.  In 1997 he moved to London where he began toying with a passion.

Ottolenghi’s is of German and Italian decent, where food was the pillar for the family.  From meals cooked by his grandmother in his own private Italy, in the middle of a Tel Aviv suburb, to drinking imported Italian espresso, he learned at an early age how to appreciate food.  I am sure this love provoked the career change in London.

Even though Ottolenghi is of German and Italian, his Israel roots are evident throughout the book as the dishes are heavily influenced using exotic spices that are familiar within Israel.  He plays with using everyday vegetables along side grains, to create healthy and satisfying recipes;  there is something for everyone in this book.  The lay-out is not only gorgeous to look at but each ingredient is a chapter, making it easy to fulfill your desires.  Craving mushrooms, flip over to that chapter.   I found each recipe is easy to follow as well as easy to make at home.  I never have had a problem finding the ingredients at my everyday market, and am hoping you don’t as well.

Every bite left us wanting more ……

We normally give away something that we love, over the holidays, this year we decided to wait until the new year. Everyone should own a vegetarian cookbook to fall back on when wanting to create new and exciting vegetable dishes.  This should be the one that graces your bookshelf. We love this book so much, that we want one of you to enjoy it as much as we do.  Anyone can win, it does not matter where you live!  Thanks for entering and best of luck!

To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment on this post telling us what your favorite vegetarian recipe is.  

All entries must be received by midnight PST on January 31, 2012.  You must include an email address or else we will not be able to contact you if you win.  Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on February 1, 2012, and they will have 24 hours to respond with a mailing address or a new winner will be picked.

2/1/12 The Winner of the Plenty Cookbook is ~ Jay from Local Food.  Jay, please email us your mailing address and we will get you your new cookbook.  I need confirmation w/in 24 hours, or a new winner will be picked. Thanks!

Butternut Squash Stew

Ingredients

  • *inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi's chick pea stew
  • 1 1/2 lb butternut squash, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 yellow onion, small dice
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped, keep the skin and seeds
  • 2 cans (14 oz each) chick peas
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons madras curry powder
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 cups spinach, washed and dried

Instructions

  1. In a large dutch oven heat the olive oil over low heat.
  2. Add the onion, stir, and cook until soft; about 7 minutes.
  3. Add the butternut squash, stir, and cook for 15 minutes.
  4. Stir in the curry powder, salt and pepper.
  5. Add the tomatoes, vegetable stock and chick peas, stir, and cook for 20 minutes.
  6. Before serving, stir in the spinach, and gently heat for a 2 minutes.
  7. You want the spinach slightly wilted and still very green.
  8. Serve.
  9. Eat.
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[...] Plenty Cookbook giveaway [...]

Clove - 30/01/2012 - 9:14 pm

I really love not cooking from cookbooks, since it’s sort of a hassle, and instead cooking off blogs with my iPad in the kitchen!

judy - 30/01/2012 - 4:28 am

correction: Incredible Edibles….can be found on the internet…prices though can go as high as $27.

Lynne - 29/01/2012 - 7:43 am

My favorite vegetarian dish is an African stew of sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes in a spicy broth thickened with peanut butter.

judy - 29/01/2012 - 6:32 am

I found a book in Whole Foods Market titled “Incredible Edibles” by Paul S. Trager; a chef of a restaurant that once thrived in Aspen Colorado by the same name. I bought the book because I just knew that the pea soup recipe in his book was the answer to my vegan dilemma. How do I create a delicious split pea soup with lots of flavor without any dairy or analog meats filled with soy isolates and other chemicals? Chef Trager’s recipe was my answer. He skillfully melds together the following array of herbs: savory, sage, basil and a touch of thyme along with the usual garlic, salt and pepper. Every person I have ever served this soup to really enjoys its hardy flavor. I believe also that the generous amount of celery and tamari along with the carrots, onions and of course the herbs play major roles in developing its full flavor. I would be happy to share this recipe and Chef Trager’s technique since the author, the book and recipe at this time is nowhere to be found on the internet; probably because the book is over 30 years old and appears to be self published. Today I am no longer a vegan but this wonderful recipe is still a favorite.

Kaylan M. - 28/01/2012 - 6:38 pm

My favorite vegetarian recipe is definitely a classic bruschetta with summer tomatoes and basil. Yum. Love to use lots of different types of heirloom tomatoes for color and sweetness.

Elizabeth - 28/01/2012 - 12:39 pm

My favorite vegetarian recipe is baked giant lima beans with roasted red peppers and a salad on the side.

Deb - 27/01/2012 - 7:17 am

My favorite vegetarian recipe is a savory stew of eggplant, potatoes and garbanzo beans in a tomato, herb, onion and garlic broth.

michelle - 26/01/2012 - 8:35 am

My favorite vegetarian dish is rustic cabbage soup. I add a few extras to add some zip and we add greens for color and health :)

Jennifer W - 24/01/2012 - 10:56 pm

My favorite veggie dish is a Chicken & Apricot Tagine minus the chicken (it’s good with chicken, but the leftovers are MUCH better, in my opinion, when I make it without the chicken). You just can’t go wrong with Moroccan food.

Tracy - 22/01/2012 - 7:09 pm

All my meals are vegetarian, and I don’t really have a favorite, but in the summer, when my garden is overflowing, I love a tomato salad with basil and a sprinkling of olive oil, salt and pepper. or a grilled veggie sandwich on baguette with provolone cheese. In the frigid winter I eat a lot of soups and chilis — tonight it was kale and white bean.

AmyRuth - 22/01/2012 - 6:39 pm

I love your summer sweet corn, tomato salad. Its pretty darn delicious and a great canvas for tweaking herbs, dressings for flavor alternatives.

AmyRuth

[...] you entered our give-away?  No?  Hurry we are giving away a copy of the Plenty cookbook;  our favorite vegetarian [...]

Elizabeth Johns - 21/01/2012 - 12:53 pm

One of my favorite all-veg recipes is a summer salad with cooked black beans and brown rice as a base, plus chopped fresh carrots, corn, tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and cilantro. Toss it all together with olive oil, lime juice, and cumin. If you like, serve over greens. Filling, tasty, and a complete meal with some goat cheese and a baguette or crackers on the side.

Jessica - 19/01/2012 - 7:30 am

This one! Hehe. :)

Brittany - 18/01/2012 - 8:00 am

3 Bean Chili! Garlic, red onion & Butternut squash sauteed/cooked in EVOO, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 1 can (each) garbanzo, black & kidney beans, chili powder, cumin & other spices that suit you! so good!

Wendy Hoffman - 17/01/2012 - 6:39 pm

I can’t wait to try this butternut squash stew. My favorite fall/winter veggie meal is butternut squash. I make my own veggie broth (sans salt) as a base. Then I sautee onion till wilted and slightly carmelized, then add roasted squash, then the broth. I use a hand blender, but like it thick, served with bread. (In our case, gluten free rosemary baguette – not bad).

Val - 17/01/2012 - 5:24 pm

Debbie Madison’s Chickpeas with Potatoes and Tomatoes….really easy and just so good!
I heard about your blog when your husband called in to NPR today when Dorie Greenspan was on…:-)

Carla O'Malley - 17/01/2012 - 1:27 pm

I would love this cookbook filled with vegetarian dishes. I really need some inspiration! I am trying to broaden my meals and picked up a butternut squash this week. I discovered your blog while searching for a recipe. I can’t wait to make this, all I need it the peas. As of late my favorite vegitarian meal is a meatless spaghetti.

penny - 16/01/2012 - 4:20 pm

roasted vegetable with kale soup. the roasted garlic is key!

Susan - 16/01/2012 - 12:54 pm

I find it hard to serve the two men in my life (son/husband) vegetarian meals…We all love roasted veggies, however. Especially sweet potatoes. Another big hit are any roasted veggies with pasta….but we always add a little sausage! Pizzas without meat are welcome. I love to make sourdough crusts and roast or saute some veggies in the winter months prior to topping pizza with them. We love simple italian foods, so spaghetti with sauteed cherry tomatoes, garlic and some pecorino is enjoyed by all. In these winter months, I’ve had success serving homemade tomato soup with cannelini beans and small pasta (digitilini for ex.) As you can see, I could really use this book to enlarge my families diet to include more vegetarian fare!!

Anna - 15/01/2012 - 8:20 pm

I can’t choose favorite anythings… But a recently discovered vegetarian delight is a sort of risotto with roasted red peppers and pine nuts, wrapped in wilted escarole (or chard) leaves, and baked with Parmesan on top. Mmm.

Regina - 15/01/2012 - 7:23 pm

This stew looks wonderful I can’t wait to try it.
My favorite vegetarian dish is any vegetable curry, my favorite is a thai green curry filled with all sorts of vegetables, and chickpeas.

Meredith - 15/01/2012 - 9:56 am

This cookbook looks beautiful. Our go-to wintertime vegetarian recipe is a hearty, tasty, and simple dal palak. The inspiration was taken from TheKitchn (http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-very-simple-dal-palak-80763), so I start from there and add whatever else is in my refrigerator at the time.

Dana - 14/01/2012 - 6:02 pm

I don’t have to tell you how much I love that book. It is endlessly inspiring. As amazing as this looks, and as amazing as it undoubtedly was, I don’t think it could be as good as the squash dish you made for us here in Seattle. I dream of that dish.

Kenyavani Gilman - 14/01/2012 - 4:50 pm

I would love to win the cookbook. Please enter me in the contest.

kelly - 14/01/2012 - 12:47 pm

i love simple summertime brushettas. toasted bread with lemon ricotta, salt and honey. maybe some tomatoes or mushrooms. easy and delicious.

Louise - 14/01/2012 - 8:53 am

This cookbook looks amazing!
There are so many amazing vegetarian recipes out there- it’s hard to choose! But in the winter, I always turn to vegetarian chili. Especially butternut squash and black bean chili! Mmm!

Kate VDK - 13/01/2012 - 4:48 pm

I eat a lot of meat but have started eating more vegetarian…one of my favorites (mostly because I can get my husband to eat it too) is a potato and leek tart, so good!

Lisa - 13/01/2012 - 4:03 pm

It’s so simple but I love roasted veggies with great olive oil and just salt and pepper. Great just like that or in so many ways – wraps, omelettes, soups, etc…

charisma enam - 13/01/2012 - 1:16 pm

Hi, this is a super recipe..definately trying in this weekend. Would love to know how to make a soup with avacado and cilantro:)

Gregg - 13/01/2012 - 1:12 pm

I have two favorite vegetarian dishes currently, so I’ll put both down since I can’t decide which is better.

The 1st is a very simple butternut squash soup, made with fresh carrots, celery and onions for the base. Then adding home made vegi broth and fresh roasted butternut squash to the pot. After simmering I blend smooth and add salt and pepper to taste.

The 2nd is an eggplant tomato casserole, made with baby eggplant and canned passata tomatoes. Slice the eggplant, coat with salt and olive oil and roast till golden brown. Make the sauce with 4 diced up shallots as the base and layer eggplant, cooked penne and sauce in a casserole. Bake and server.

Jay @ LocalFood.me - 13/01/2012 - 12:34 pm

Gorgeous! My favorite veggie recipe changes upon the season. Right now, I’m into butternut squash anything (like lasagna) and sweet potato enchiladas.

Kristine - 13/01/2012 - 11:09 am

I love the look of the book’s cover! Wow! Will be trying this stew also. My favorite vegetarian recipe is more a side dish .. but I could eat it nightly and never get tired of it- curried cauliflower “fries” – chop up a head of cauliflower into bite size pieces, put into bowl w/ olive oil, toss and add curry powder as desired. Spread onto parchment paper-covered baking sheet, bake @ ~425 for ~10 min, flip bigger pieces, cook for ~6-10 more min until crispy on both sides, and devour, slapping husband’s hand away to get more :)

[...] Butternut Squash Stew <<Doesn’t this look like a wonderful winter stew? I’m so there. (Chez Us) [...]

ShowShanti - 11/01/2012 - 9:47 pm

I love recipes like this. I think this recipe is especially great rolling into the new year. I’m just coming off my detox-cleanse and it’s wonderful to eat vegetables! Warm stews with spices are excitement for the senses. I’m not allowed to eat meat yet, so this stew is perfect for a great start of my 2012!

lesliem - 11/01/2012 - 2:56 pm

One of our favorite vegetarian meals features a salad with roasted butternut squash, black beans and feta cheese. The book is gorgeous – we’d love to win it.

Sweet Potato Gratin » Chez Us - 11/01/2012 - 12:36 pm

[...] YOU ENTERED OUR GIVEAWAY?  IT IS [...]

Basia - 11/01/2012 - 8:08 am

Here in the surprisingly temperate NorthEastern US (Don’t be fooled: 2011/2012 winter so far is a fluke!) I can’t get enough hearty 15 bean soup with a chunk of homemade whole wheat bread. I’d have it daily if I could. There’s just something completely comforting and familiar about that silky, soulful warmth. And the whole house smells welcoming and calm. All that from a bean ….

Jamie - 11/01/2012 - 6:01 am

Happy New Year! We are as happy eating a meat dish as a vegetarian dish and both find a place on our table. How does one even beging to name a favorite dish? Maybe Spanikopita? Or a wonderful Lemon Risotto I make and serve with a fresh green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. Meatless couscous is fabulous, too. All depends on the season and the mood. I love Ottolenghi cookbooks and am dying to see this one!

Linda - 11/01/2012 - 5:37 am

Eggplant stuffed with sauteed mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes and more eggplant
(and anything else in the fridge that might strike my fancy) baked and topped
with breadcrumbs and/or cheese. Good way to use up extra veggies, too.

But usually, whatever my vegetarian son is cooking; it always smells so good and
is always delicious :)

Genevieve - 10/01/2012 - 5:35 pm

I would love to win this cookbook! (if Canadians are allowed to enter that is..) As a vegetarian myself, I don’t know if I could choose one meal, but I’ll go with asian noodles with lots of veggies in a peanut sauce!

tessah - 10/01/2012 - 4:22 pm

As a veggie since I was 10 I have so many beloved meat free recipes but lately I’ve really been digging the enchilada casserole my darling Nigerian girlfriend shared. Looks like something from Plenty might be my new fave though!

Kelly - 10/01/2012 - 12:35 pm

I come from a heavily carnivorous family and as a pretty health-conscious veggie I’ve found that Mexican food (black or red beans with brown rice or quinoa, spicy yogurt salsas and lots of tomatoes and avo) often satisfies the crowd while offering enough protein and flavor. We try new salsa recipes and use seasonal veggies to add. Breakfast burrito night has become a favorite! (also buying dried beans and grains in bulk make it a steal!)

B - 10/01/2012 - 11:01 am

Quinoa stuffed Zucchini, topped with sweet tomato sauce!

Marnely Rodriguez - 10/01/2012 - 11:00 am

I love Tabbouleh and Hummus…So good together!

Gina - 10/01/2012 - 12:28 am

would be so lucky to win! thanks for sharing this wonderful book with all of us!

Karen l - 09/01/2012 - 8:43 pm

Butternut Squash Risotto – the stuff dreams are made of. After hacking up the squash (my least favorite thing to do!), I do enjoy the stirring, the adding, the watching as the arborio slowly absorbs the goodness of the wine, the broth, the garlic. Truly a one dish meal.

Machelle - 09/01/2012 - 7:28 pm

A favorite vegetarian recipe of mine would be hummus, and good vegetable soup!

Terra - 09/01/2012 - 4:07 pm

One of my favorite vegetarian dishes to serve is a pimiento cheese panini with sundried tomatoes & chipotle peppers, I have also done a Vegan version with hummus instead of the cheese. I just found your site today, and I am loving it! I’ve been looking around, and you have so many delicious ideas.

Denise Woodward - 09/01/2012 - 3:54 pm

Karen – you and Julie are loving the veggie rolls aren’t you! We are also big fans!

Good Luck with the drawing,

Denise & Lenny

Denise Woodward - 09/01/2012 - 3:53 pm

Penny, dosas are pretty darn good as well. Have yet to make them but enjoy when we eat Indian food out.

Good Luck with the drawing,

Denise & Lenny

Denise Woodward - 09/01/2012 - 3:52 pm

Julie, wraps are one of our favorite go to veggie recipes; so easy and so fun!

Good Luck with the drawing,

Denise & Lenny

Denise Woodward - 09/01/2012 - 3:52 pm

Katrina, it rocked ours as well!

Good Luck with the drawing,

Denise & Lenny

Denise Woodward - 09/01/2012 - 3:51 pm

Hi Lexi,

We are happy that you found us, and hope that you will “dine” with us often. Let us know if this recipe gets the husband seal of approval.

Good Luck with the drawing,

Denise & Lenny

Lexi - 09/01/2012 - 1:23 pm

What a great surprise to happen upon your website. My family gets a CSA every week and we often get so much excess veggies we do not know what to do with them. So our new year resolution was to do Meatless Mondays this year to help with all the wonderful veggies we get. I have a surplus of butternut squash as of now and did not want to do the go to soup. My husband wanted a heartier dish so this looks wonderful. I will be making this tonight and cannot wait.

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar - 09/01/2012 - 1:21 pm

This rocks my world!

Julie @BananasForBourbon - 09/01/2012 - 11:23 am

There are so many great vegetarian dishes out there! It’s hard to choose… Last week I made some simple vegetarian wraps for lunches with homemade hummus, sprouts, avocado, pickled carrots and onions, and this great local tofu on whole wheat lavash. I think I could eat one of those a day forever. :)

penny - 09/01/2012 - 10:19 am

Any Indian Vegetarian, especially dosas. You never notice you’re not eating meat.

Karen - 09/01/2012 - 9:45 am

I’m in! My favorite veggie recipe that works for everyone is “do it yourself spring rolls.” Make several sauces, a dozen yummy ingredients and let everyone roll away!

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