4. Cook with and Learn to Love a New Vegetable



Cutting up the Squash

 As a child, I had an intense hatred of all things "SQUASH".  My mom would make Acorn Squash and I would sit at the table gagging it down.  So, as a 40 yr old, I still consider myself a hater of squash.  However, I've had butternut squash bisque and liked it.  Hmm... maybe all squashes are not created equally.  Then, I bravely tried acorn squash with maple syrup mixed in.  SHOCKING!  I actually liked it and had seconds.  As part of my goals for 2012, I decided it was time to be a big girl and try some new vegetables and incorporate them into my diet.  So, I'm starting with Butternut Squash.  I found a recipe in the Jan/Feb issue of Cooking Light magazine and decided to give it a whirl.  I went shopping for the squash and couldn't find them.  Finally, I reached the squash department.  Luckily, they come with stickers for people like me who have never purchased such vegetable, and therefore have no idea what they look like.  I made the recipe, Moroccan Chicken and Butternut Squash soup (recipe posted on my food blog: The Swedish Chef and Friends), and I must say... it's delicious.  Next on my journey with my new friend Butternut Squash... mac & cheese!

The finished product (lovely photo courtesy of Cooking Light)

Bring on 2012

I'm a list maker.  Something about writing it down, and more importantly, crossing it off the list makes me feel like I've really accomplished something.  I was inspired to not just create a resolution for 2012, but to make a list of things to do from a book I just read.  I finished The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolenski on New Year's Eve.  It's about a woman who was in a car accident and her passenger was killed.  The passenger had created a list of things she wanted to accomplish before she turned 25.  The driver felt like she should finish it to honor her memory.  Thus, my list of things to accomplish in 2012 was born.  I tried not to make my goals too lofty so that I can actually cross them off the list.  Today I tried 4.) Cook with and learn to love a new vegetable.  After I try the soup I made, I'll report back on my success.  I found a friend to walk a 5K with me in May and I'm 5/5 on praying every day and reading Jesus Calling.  Here's to crossing everything off the list by December 31, 2012.