Awesome Autumn Meal!

 

So, as per usual, I hosted Girls Night last night and tried a new recipe. From Pinterest. And it was delicious! The finish product looks harder to make than it really is...trust me! Here's the impressive sounding name, and the how-tos:

Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells with Lemon Sage Brown Butter Sauce (adapted from http://prouditaliancook.blogspot.co.uk)

one butternut squash, peeled and chopped (I had a giant one, so I only used half)
jumbo pasta shells (I only used half a box)
2 cups ricotta cheese
1/3 - 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 fresh smashed garlic (I used dried minced)
1/4 - 1/3 cup frozen chopped spinach, squeezed and drained
one egg
salt and pepper to taste
grated lemon peel
one stick butter
10 fresh sage leaves, or dried minced sage
lemon juice

Toss the butternut squash in olive oil and salt and pepper.  Roast at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes.  Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to directions. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan, garlic, spinach, egg, salt and pepper, the cooled down roasted squash (about 2 cups) and grated lemon peel. Stuff the shells with the mixture and place in a buttered baking dish. Make the sauce by melting a stick of butter in a saute pan until golden brown and bubbly. Add sage leaves and cook until slightly crisp.  Turn off heat and add lemon juice.  Place the shells in a 400 degree oven until heated through, around 20-25 minutes.  When done, spoon the warm sage sauce over top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. 

I also made a "girly" salad of mixed greens, sliced pears, goat cheese crumbles and glazed pecans, with a French vinaigrette - mmm!

I rounded out the meal with a warm asiago foccacia bread (from the supermarket) and homemade apple crisp (have I posted a recipe for that?) and some cold sauvignon blanc! See, it is AWESOME AUTUMN....