Butternut Squash Update

"Wayne Boatwright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In order to experiment, I halved and baked 2 medium sized butternut
squash.
I scooped out the flesh, mashed it, then put in a large deep skillet over
low heat to drive out as much moisture as I could. With this completed
and
cooled, I reserved two cups of squash for later use, then divided the
remainder into two portions.

To one portion I sprinkled in light brown sugar and stirred until I had
just the right sweetness. It wasn't a lot and it wasn't overly sweet.
Next I dusted on immeasurable amounts of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace,
allspice, and salt. A very light spice taste. Last of all, I added a
couple of tablespoons of unsalted butter and 2-3 tablespoons of cream.
Finally, when heated and ready to serve, the consistency was somewhat like
good mashed potatoes and mounded nice on the plates. It was delicious and
virtually identical to the squash that I fondly remembered from a favorite
restaurant that inspired this experiment.

For the second portion, I sauteed half a diced sweet onion in vegetable
oil
along with a small hot red pepper that had been chopped and seeded. To
this I added about a teaspoon of Penzey's Sweet Curry Powder, a scant half
teaspoon of Penzey's Garam Masala, and a scant half cup of coconut milk.
Lastly, I added the mashed squash and blended well. I cooked this over
low
heat to firm up the texture, then served it with a sprinkling of chopped
cilantro. The finished dish had a nice mellow curry flavor with just a
little bite.

After sampling these two at separate meals, I froze portions of both to
enjoy later.

The reserved 2 cups of squash went into my favorite pumpkin pie recipe
with
absolutely no changes. It reminded me more of pumpkin pies baked from
fresh pumpkin and far far better than any pie made with canned pumpkin.

I think the experiment was a great success, and thanks to all of you who
offered ideas and suggestions.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

Hi Wayne; instead of adding brown sugar, try Splenda (sucralose) It will
cut down on the calories and probably taste just as good.

MoM

On Thu 18 Aug 2005 06:53:44p, MoM wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Hi Wayne; instead of adding brown sugar, try Splenda (sucralose) It
will cut down on the calories and probably taste just as good.

Thanks, Helen, I will. Actually, I did think of it, but was out of the
"measure for measure" Splenda I usually have on hand. I had packets but
didn't want to use them.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four,
unless there are three other people.

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"Wayne Boatwright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu 18 Aug 2005 06:53:44p, MoM wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Hi Wayne; instead of adding brown sugar, try Splenda (sucralose) It
will cut down on the calories and probably taste just as good.

Thanks, Helen, I will. Actually, I did think of it, but was out of the
"measure for measure" Splenda I usually have on hand. I had packets but
didn't want to use them.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*

I am just starting to use it more often. I like the 2nd Cup Chillates, but
they are high in calories, so I make my own with coffee liquid and splenda
and cocoa.

MoM

Wayne Boatwright said:

In order to experiment, I halved and baked 2 medium sized butternut
squash. I scooped out the flesh, mashed it, then put in a large deep
skillet over low heat to drive out as much moisture as I could. With
this completed and cooled, I reserved two cups of squash for later
use, then divided the remainder into two portions.

(snip and yum!)

Quoted message said:

I think the experiment was a great success, and thanks to all of you
who offered ideas and suggestions.

I'm glad it was a success! Now you have two new ways to prepare this lovely
squash 🙂

Jill

On Fri 19 Aug 2005 03:25:57a, MoM wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

"Wayne Boatwright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu 18 Aug 2005 06:53:44p, MoM wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Hi Wayne; instead of adding brown sugar, try Splenda (sucralose) It
will cut down on the calories and probably taste just as good.

Thanks, Helen, I will. Actually, I did think of it, but was out of the
"measure for measure" Splenda I usually have on hand. I had packets
but didn't want to use them.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*

I am just starting to use it more often. I like the 2nd Cup Chillates,
but they are high in calories, so I make my own with coffee liquid and
splenda and cocoa.

MoM

That sounds good! I usually just drink a strong iced coffee with fat-free
half-n-half, no sugar/sweetner.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four,
unless there are three other people.

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On Fri 19 Aug 2005 03:51:29a, jmcquown wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Wayne Boatwright said:

In order to experiment, I halved and baked 2 medium sized butternut
squash. I scooped out the flesh, mashed it, then put in a large deep
skillet over low heat to drive out as much moisture as I could. With
this completed and cooled, I reserved two cups of squash for later
use, then divided the remainder into two portions.

(snip and yum!)

Quoted message said:

I think the experiment was a great success, and thanks to all of you
who offered ideas and suggestions.

I'm glad it was a success! Now you have two new ways to prepare this
lovely squash 🙂

Jill

Thanks, Jill. I'm very pleased with it.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four,
unless there are three other people.

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"Wayne Boatwright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Fri 19 Aug 2005 03:25:57a, MoM wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

"Wayne Boatwright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu 18 Aug 2005 06:53:44p, MoM wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> Hi Wayne; instead of adding brown sugar, try Splenda (sucralose) It
> will cut down on the calories and probably taste just as good.

Thanks, Helen, I will. Actually, I did think of it, but was out of the
"measure for measure" Splenda I usually have on hand. I had packets
but didn't want to use them.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*

I am just starting to use it more often. I like the 2nd Cup Chillates,
but they are high in calories, so I make my own with coffee liquid and
splenda and cocoa.

MoM

That sounds good! I usually just drink a strong iced coffee with fat-free
half-n-half, no sugar/sweetner.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four,
unless there are three other people.

---
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I don't know if you have this product in the states. It's called Java Ice
by Nestle'. I have been using that with coffeemate liquid and didn't need
the splenda but it is too high in calories so I'm trying to find a lower
calorie alternative to the coffee-mate French Vanilla. I'm waiting for the
firm to get back to me.

MoM

Wayne Boatwright said:

fat-free half-n-half

I've seen fat-free sour cream, but not 1/2 & 1/2... will look more
closely next time. Does it taste the same?

sf
thinking splenda and that in morning coffee would cut our quite a few
daily calories.

On Fri 19 Aug 2005 09:18:15a, sf wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Wayne Boatwright said:

fat-free half-n-half

I've seen fat-free sour cream, but not 1/2 & 1/2... will look more
closely next time. Does it taste the same?

I think it's quite good. I use it in coffee, on cereal, and in cooking.
Land o' Lakes makes one, and one of our local dairies does also.

Quoted message said:

sf
thinking splenda and that in morning coffee would cut our quite a few
daily calories.

It would, indeed.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.
Sam Goldwyn, 1882-1974

"Wayne Boatwright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Fri 19 Aug 2005 09:18:15a, sf wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Wayne Boatwright said:

fat-free half-n-half

I've seen fat-free sour cream, but not 1/2 & 1/2... will look more
closely next time. Does it taste the same?

I think it's quite good. I use it in coffee, on cereal, and in cooking.
Land o' Lakes makes one, and one of our local dairies does also.

Quoted message said:

sf
thinking splenda and that in morning coffee would cut our quite a few
daily calories.

It would, indeed.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*

You have so many options down there. The best I could come up with was 5%
half and half which was more than half as many calories than the
Coffee-mate.

But I will have to use splenda as well with this.

MoM

On Fri 19 Aug 2005 07:12:25p, MoM wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

"Wayne Boatwright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Fri 19 Aug 2005 09:18:15a, sf wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

On 19 Aug 2005 14:20:18 +0200, Wayne Boatwright wrote:

> fat-free half-n-half

I've seen fat-free sour cream, but not 1/2 & 1/2... will look more
closely next time. Does it taste the same?

I think it's quite good. I use it in coffee, on cereal, and in
cooking. Land o' Lakes makes one, and one of our local dairies does
also.

Quoted message said:

sf
thinking splenda and that in morning coffee would cut our quite a few
daily calories.

It would, indeed.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*

You have so many options down there. The best I could come up with was
5% half and half which was more than half as many calories than the
Coffee-mate.

But I will have to use splenda as well with this.

MoM

This stuff tastes nothing like Coffee-mate, Helen. Just so that you know
what your missing, these are the nutrition facts listed on the bottle of
Shamrock Farms Fat Free Half & Half, per 2 Tbsp. serving:

Calories 20; Calories from Fat 0
Total Fat 0g
Saturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol <5mg
Sodium 25mg
Total Carbohydrates 3g
Dietary Fiber 0g
Sugars 3g
Protein 1g

It is made primarily from non-fat milk and milk solids, with a small
amount of corn syrup.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four,
unless there are three other people.

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MoM said:

You have so many options down there. The best I could come up with was 5%
half and half which was more than half as many calories than the
Coffee-mate.

I just tried 7-11 and the local (small) grocery store today... they
hadn't heard of it yet. I wonder if any other Bay Area readers know
about it...

Yo, Tammy, you're in Sac'to - do you have it up there?

On Fri 19 Aug 2005 11:07:15p, sf wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

MoM said:

You have so many options down there. The best I could come up with
was 5% half and half which was more than half as many calories than
the Coffee-mate.

I just tried 7-11 and the local (small) grocery store today... they
hadn't heard of it yet. I wonder if any other Bay Area readers know
about it...

Yo, Tammy, you're in Sac'to - do you have it up there?

Do any of your stores carry the Land o' Lakes brand of products? Most of the
country does.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four,
unless there are three other people.

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sf wrote about fat-free half-and-half:

Quoted message said:

I just tried 7-11 and the local (small) grocery store today... they
hadn't heard of it yet. I wonder if any other Bay Area readers know
about it...

Yo, Tammy, you're in Sac'to - do you have it up there?

I'm not *in* Sacramento, but I'm fairly close by, and my local Safeway has
fat-free half-and-half: Land O Lakes fat-free half-and-half comes in
half-gallon ($5.29) and pint ($1.99) cartons. Lucerne brand fat-free
half-and-half comes in quart ($3.19) and pint ($1.69) cartons.

Bob

Wayne Boatwright said:

In order to experiment, I halved and baked 2 medium sized butternut squash.
I scooped out the flesh, mashed it, then put in a large deep skillet over
low heat to drive out as much moisture as I could. With this completed and
cooled, I reserved two cups of squash for later use, then divided the
remainder into two portions.

To one portion I sprinkled in light brown sugar and stirred until I had
just the right sweetness. It wasn't a lot and it wasn't overly sweet.
Next I dusted on immeasurable amounts of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace,
allspice, and salt. A very light spice taste. Last of all, I added a
couple of tablespoons of unsalted butter and 2-3 tablespoons of cream.
Finally, when heated and ready to serve, the consistency was somewhat like
good mashed potatoes and mounded nice on the plates. It was delicious and
virtually identical to the squash that I fondly remembered from a favorite
restaurant that inspired this experiment.

A little cardamom is nice in this as well.

-L.

On Fri 19 Aug 2005 11:25:02p, Bob wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

sf wrote about fat-free half-and-half:

Quoted message said:

I just tried 7-11 and the local (small) grocery store today... they
hadn't heard of it yet. I wonder if any other Bay Area readers know
about it...

Yo, Tammy, you're in Sac'to - do you have it up there?

I'm not *in* Sacramento, but I'm fairly close by, and my local Safeway
has fat-free half-and-half: Land O Lakes fat-free half-and-half comes in
half-gallon ($5.29) and pint ($1.99) cartons. Lucerne brand fat-free
half-and-half comes in quart ($3.19) and pint ($1.69) cartons.

Bob

IMHO, the Lucern brand (Safeway) and our AZ local Shamrock Farms brand
aste just as good as the Land o' Lakes. I buy and use them
interchangably, based on which one is on sale. Unopened, they have a very
long shelf life. Opened, they seem to remain fresh for a good two weeks.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four,
unless there are three other people.

---
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On Fri 19 Aug 2005 11:26:11p, -L. wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Wayne Boatwright said:

In order to experiment, I halved and baked 2 medium sized butternut
squash. I scooped out the flesh, mashed it, then put in a large deep
skillet over low heat to drive out as much moisture as I could. With
this completed and cooled, I reserved two cups of squash for later use,
then divided the remainder into two portions.

To one portion I sprinkled in light brown sugar and stirred until I had
just the right sweetness. It wasn't a lot and it wasn't overly sweet.
Next I dusted on immeasurable amounts of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg,
mace, allspice, and salt. A very light spice taste. Last of all, I
added a couple of tablespoons of unsalted butter and 2-3 tablespoons of
cream. Finally, when heated and ready to serve, the consistency was
somewhat like good mashed potatoes and mounded nice on the plates. It
was delicious and virtually identical to the squash that I fondly
remembered from a favorite restaurant that inspired this experiment.

A little cardamom is nice in this as well.

-L.

I love cardamon. I'll have to give that a try next time.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four,
unless there are three other people.

---
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Bob said:

sf wrote about fat-free half-and-half:

Quoted message said:

I just tried 7-11 and the local (small) grocery store today... they
hadn't heard of it yet. I wonder if any other Bay Area readers know
about it...

Yo, Tammy, you're in Sac'to - do you have it up there?

I'm not *in* Sacramento, but I'm fairly close by, and my local Safeway has
fat-free half-and-half: Land O Lakes fat-free half-and-half comes in
half-gallon ($5.29) and pint ($1.99) cartons. Lucerne brand fat-free
half-and-half comes in quart ($3.19) and pint ($1.69) cartons.

The local Safeway (small) I looked at carries Land o Lakes butter, but
doesn't carry land o lakes cream. I'll try a bigger store.

Thanks

Wayne Boatwright said:

IMHO, the Lucern brand (Safeway) and our AZ local Shamrock Farms brand
aste just as good as the Land o' Lakes. I buy and use them
interchangably, based on which one is on sale. Unopened, they have a very
long shelf life. Opened, they seem to remain fresh for a good two weeks.

I'll ask if Lucern fat free is an option at my local <little> Safeway.

Thanks.... I didn't know a store brand was an option for 1/2 & 1/2.
They carry fat free sour cream.