Autumn Meal

So last night it was Trick o Treat night.  In my neighborhood, we get less than 10 every year.  It rained much of the day and then the clouds cleared out and a cool, October breeze started to blow.  Perfect weather for some warm, healthy comfort food.

Wait a minute.  Healthy comfort food?  Comfort food is all about stick to your ribs, fill your belly and make you sleepy.

Not so.

The dish I made last night replaced potatoes with butternut squash, had chicken, tomato paste and onions.  Delicious.

Brown 1.5 pounds of chicken in a dutch oven.  Remove from pan.  Add chopped onion (1 whole onion), 4 cloves of sliced - not chopped or minced - garlic and then saute until onions are translucent.  Add 2 cans of diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and then 2 cups of chunked up butternut squash.  Stir to coat.  Add 1 cup of chicken broth, half cup of apple juice, salt, pepper, and 1 tsp of sage.  Let simmer 7 minutes.  Add the chicken back in and stir.  Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until the squash is tender.

The tomato paste adds a richness to this dish and the flavors blend so well together.  I serve if with a 5-grain baguette and store the leftovers for another cool day.

Enjoy.