Autumn Squash Bisque with Ginger

Autumn Squash Bisque with Ginger

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 10 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

2 teaspoons oil
2 cups sliced onions
2 pounds winter squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-inch cubes (4 generous cups)
2 pears, peeled, cored, and diced, or 1 can (15 ounces) sliced pears, drained and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
2 Tablespoons coarsely chopped, peeled fresh ginger, or 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
1⁄2 teaspoon thyme
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (see Notes)
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1⁄2 cup plain nonfat yogurt

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions and cook, stirring constantly until softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add squash, pears, garlic, ginger and thyme; cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
4. Add broth and water; bring to a simmer.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until squash is tender, 35-45 minutes.
6. Puree soup, in batches if necessary, in a blender. (If using a blender, follow manufacturer’s Directions for pureeing hot liquids.)
7. Return soup to pot and heat through. Stir in lemon juice.
8. Garnish each serving with a spoonful of yogurt.
9. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Broth can be canned or made using bouillon. For each cup of broth use 1 cup very hot water and 1 teaspoon or 1 cube bouillon
• Freeze extra lemon juice to use later

Winter Fruit Crisp

Winter Fruit Crisp

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 8 squares (4 inches x 2 inches)
Serving Size 4 x 2 inch square

Ingredients

4 cups diced apples or pears
2⁄3 cup packed brown sugar
1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
1⁄2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1⁄3 cup margarine or butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly spray or oil a square pan (8 x 8 x 2 inches).
2. Arrange fruit in pan. Mix remaining Ingredients and sprinkle over fruit.
3. Bake until topping is golden brown and fruit is tender, about 30 minutes.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Use any fresh, frozen or drained canned fruit that you have on hand.
• Add 1/2 cup of dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, cut apricots).
• Try vanilla yogurt as a topping and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Hoppin' Pear Salad

Hoppin' Pear Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 bunnies
Serving Size 1 bunny

Ingredients

2 cups shredded lettuce or spinach
4 pear halves, fresh or canned
1⁄2 cup cottage cheese
8 pieces sliced almonds
12 raisins

Directions

1. Place about 1/2 cup shredded lettuce on each plate.
2. Place one pear half on the lettuce, cut side faced down.
3. On the narrower end of each pear, make a rabbit face: Poke two pieces of sliced almonds into the pear to make ears. Arrange two raisins for eyes and one for the nose.
4. Place 2 Tablespoons of cottage cheese at the opposite end of each pear half to make a tail.

Notes

• Optional: Add a miniature carrot or two for the bunnies to snack on.
• Look in the bulk food section of the store to buy only the amount you need of raisins or sliced almonds. 

Kale Salad

Kale Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 10 cups
Serving Size 1 cup
Chill Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

8 cups chopped kale (about 1 large head)
1 can (15 ounces) fruit in 100% juice (try pears, peaches, mandarin oranges, apricots, pineapple)
1⁄2 cup 100% fruit juice, reserved from canned fruit
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
1⁄4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds (optional)

Directions

1. Wash kale and pat dry. Remove rib from the middle of each leaf. Chop or tear leaves into bite sized pieces and place in a large bowl. Drain and chop fruit if pieces are large. Add to kale.
2. In a small bowl, combine fruit juice, vegetable oil, salt, pepper, and sunflower seeds, if desired. Mix well.
3. Add dressing to the kale and fruit and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours

Notes

• To soften the kale and improve the flavor, before adding the fruit in step 1, rub the torn leaves together until the kale becomes dark green and fragrant, about 3 to 5 minutes, OR prepare the salad a day ahead and refrigerate.

Kiwi, Banana and Apple Salad

Kiwi, Banana and Apple Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes
Makes: 3 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

4 1⁄2 teaspoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
1 1⁄2 teaspoons oil
1 1⁄2 teaspoons sweet onion, minced
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
2 medium kiwis, peeled
1 medium banana
1 medium apple [3” diameter] (or pear)
1 Tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (optional)

Directions

1. Mix lime juice, oil, onion, vinegar, honey and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Chop kiwis, banana and apple into small cubes.
3. Add fruit and mint (if using) to the dressing; toss to coat.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Honey is not recommended for children under 1 year old. Try brown sugar.

Cinnamon Baked Pears

Cinnamon Baked Pears

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 4 pear halves
Serving Size 1 half pear

Ingredients

2 ripe pears
3 Tablespoons walnuts, chopped
2 teaspoons honey or brown sugar
1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon dried cranberries

Directions

1. Cut the pears in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon or melon baller.
2. Place pears in a baking dish. Fill centers with chopped walnuts and drizzle about half a teaspoon of honey or brown sugar over each pear half.
3. Sprinkle each half with cinnamon and cranberries.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes or until pears are soft when poked with a fork. Serve warm.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Honey is not recommended for children under 1 year old.

Pear Quesadillas

Pear Quesadillas

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 servings
Serving Size 2 wedges

Ingredients

4 medium whole wheat tortillas
1 cup grated cheese (try cheddar or jack)
1 cup pear cubes (fresh or canned/drained)
1⁄2 cup finely chopped green or red peppers
2 Tablespoons minced onion (green, red, or yellow)

Directions

1. Lay two tortillas on a clean cutting board or on two plates.
2. Place 1/4 of the cheese on each tortilla.
3. Divide pears, peppers, and onion between the two tortillas.
4. Divide the remaining cheese between the two tortillas. Top with remaining two tortillas.
5. Heat a skillet or griddle to medium (300 degrees in an electric skillet). Place one quesadilla in pan. Cook for 2-4 minutes, or until bottom of quesadilla begins to look a little brown.
6. With large spatula, gently turn quesadilla over and cook the other side until a little brown, 2-4 minutes.
7. Gently slide quesadilla onto plate. Cook the second quesadilla.
8. Cut each cooked quesadilla into 4 pieces and serve.
9. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Put pear cubes on a paper towel for a couple of minutes to help dry them out. This will help your quesadilla stick together!
• Out of pears? Try diced fresh apples, halved grapes, or even sliced bananas.
• Flavor boosters: add some chopped cilantro, or use pepper jack cheese.

Watermelon and Fruit Salad

Watermelon and Fruit Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

1 cup watermelon, diced
2 cups strawberries, sliced
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen/thawed)
1⁄2 cup apple, banana or pear, diced
2 teaspoons lime juice
2 teaspoons honey or brown sugar

 Directions

1. Place watermelon, strawberries and blueberries in a serving bowl.
2. Add your choice of diced apple, banana or pear. Gently mix well.
3. In a small bowl combine lime juice and honey. Pour over fruit and toss to coat.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Honey is not recommended for children under 1 year old.