So nice to have our first relaxing home cooked evening in 8 days!!! I love it when life is exciting, but I am equally happy with mundane nights like this.
Notice the Previous / Next links!? After you guys have been requesting I move them for YEARS, I finally figured out how to do it – and made them a color for easy spotting! My favorite way to find them though is to just use the “END” key on my keyboard to jump to the bottom – no scrolling necessary.
I took a break this afternoon to go on a power walk with Faith. Power walking always trumps computer sitting. And Faith is an excellent walker! I struggled to keep up!
I started on dinner as 6pm neared by roasting up all the squash in our house – 2 butternuts and a delicata. I’ve perfected my order of operations: wash, peel, stab with fork, microwave for 5 minutes, halve, de-seed, slice. This order maximizes easy of knife skills and minimizes cooking time and arm power.
My favorite squash topping is a rub of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, a tsp or so each of cinnamon and cayenne.
Cinnamon for her.
Cayenne for him.
And they complement each other so well!
While I cooked I sipped on a kombucha
Which was replaced by beer when Matt walked through the door with this Mad Elf Ale from PA that Lauren brought us to the bakery today! Delicious thick Belgian spice.
I brainstormed foods to go with our squash and roasted broccoli and remembered I bought a few packages of frozen ravioli at Whole Foods recently. We used to eat these all the time from EarthFare! I only wish this 365 brand was whole wheat pasta – I’m sure I can find that next time.
The ravs were really good – nice and sweet on the inside. I also added a cup of edamame to throw in some more protein. To pull the dish together, we just drizzled on some extra virginia virgin olive oil, garlic gold nuggets and parmesan cheese. Simple, tasty.
And to continue our quiet evening in, we retire to the couch for a little Office!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
Ok, your dinner just looks too too tasty tonight – love all the green & squash – mmm!
Sana says
🙂 I loveeee nights at home. Sometimes bring around lots of people is stressful because you have to be on your best behavior!
Kris says
wow – that first photo of the broccoli – awesome!
KathEats says
Thanks!
Laura says
Gosh, yes, wow! Beautiful photo of broccoli. Have you ever won awards for your photography like you have for your blogging?
You are an inspiration!
KathEats says
Thanks Laura! I haven’t, although I do make it on Foodgawker a bit!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
That red tree is GORGEOUS! Love your dinner too – packed with veggies and looking delicious!
Amanda says
I’ll have to look for that ravioli the next time I’m in WF. My husband loves ravioli, but we never seem to buy it for whatever reason. That would be great for a quick dinner during a busy week.
The tree with the bright red leaves is so stunning. We have such beautiful foliage around Boston right now. Trying to soak it all in before the trees shed all their leaves!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Time at home <3
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
oh my goodness that dinner looks so good! I can’t remember the last time I had ravioli!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
OH my God. BEAUTIFUL tree. Literally breathtaking.
Cara @ EAT. PRAY. RUN. says
Dinner looks great! I’ve had those ‘ravs’ before and they are SO good. Trader joes makes them as well and they are quite tasty. A nice hearty meal to whip up in a flash 🙂 Have a great evening!
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
I used to eat those ravioli all the time on top of salad. Miss them.
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
What a beautiful tree!! I just love walks at this time of year… and it’s going to be super windy tomorrow in DC, my fall favorite. I love seeing the leaves in the air.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I love quiet nights at home too – they’re wonderful!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I need to try that combination of spices. I have squashes all over the house for decoration and it’s about time to cook them. Dinner looks delicious. Have a great night Kath.
Angel7 says
Oh my goodness… That tree is absolutely gorgeous, beautiful, fabulous, and every other word that means great!!! I love fall!!!
My favorite vacation with the family was to the New England states during the fall. We made it to the New England states a week after peak season, but still saw the beauty at its best! There is something about those states that makes me want to go back every fall. There is a sense of organic and sustainability in the New England states that you do not always see.
I had my family laughing while we were driving to the New England states, because it seemed like there was farm after farm after farm after farm and no Walmart or mall in site for many, many, many, many miles (LOL) You always see a Walmart every so many miles where I am from 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Susan H. @ the food allergy chronicles says
Roasting vegetables is my favourite…it brings out the best of each and every one. I especially love the leftovers to toss in my salad the next day. What a beautiful fall day…I am loving all the fall pictures you are taking. I am not ready for winter!
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
Dinners at home are always SO nice after a long stretch of travel. Enjoy!
Pat says
Thanks for “previous” and “next” – there’s no END on an iPad!
I’ll have to try your squash method, I usually cut min in half, bake or microwave, then scoop out the flesh. Had some delicata last nigh – so sweet.
KathEats says
Good point!!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
cinnamon and cayenne are great spices…even together. Or separate. Yum.
And the komboucha being replace with vino and a little Office watching? Sounds like a plan 🙂
Christina @ Just Running says
Cinnamon + cayenne = heaven!! A few coffee shops around here sell Cincinnati cafe mocha, cafe mocha with cinnamon and cayenne. Make one at home – they’re amazing!
Krista (kristastes) says
mad elf rocks…one of my favorites!
staceyhealthylife says
Interesting dinner combo but sounds really good.
Bizzle says
I don’t usually comment, but that photo of the red tree is FAB.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
We just had a butternut squash ravioli from TJ’s that I absolutely loved! I like how you paired it with more squash 🙂
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
Dinner looks delicious. I love mundane nights sometimes. Allows the brain to unwind and gather a little rest. And nice views on the power walk!
Mad Elf, please? 😉
Sunya says
Once again Kath your blog is there to the rescue! I just got some delicata in our CSA today. I was wondering what a good way to use them would be. I open up your blog for my evening read and the lovely squash is in your evening meal. Well I know what is for dinner tomorrow! Thanks!
KathEats says
So glad! I like to cut them cross-sectionally 🙂
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
i have a package of that ravioli sitting in my freezer — glad to know it’s a yummy one (you can never tell with pre-packaged pasta!) as much as i adore kombucha, i would happily trade it for one of matt’s beers 🙂
Mollie says
Tsk tsk. You need a tulip shaped glass for proper mad elf drinkage! 🙂
Gillian G. @ When Bread Is Broken says
LOVE the previous/next links. Thanks for that!! 🙂
Cait's Plate says
That tree is STUNNING!!
Also that whole dinner dish looks incredible. Ravioli is something that I haven’t had in far too long – I need to change that!
Khushboo says
“I love it when life is exciting, but I am equally happy with mundane nights like this”–> completely agree! As much as I love going out/being social, I am equally as much a homebody!
Matthew says
I love eating in, preparing, serving, etc. I even love the Kombucha
Health Bee says
Love the Fall colors in Virginia. You’re so lucky! 🙂
Liz says
That red tree picture is beautiful! We had a big, red maple out in front of our house that reflected beautifully in the pond…but then a windstorm yesterday took all the leaves down before I could get a good photo.
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) says
I never think about frozen ravioli as a quick dinner option. I don’t know why I never throw it into my cart but I think I will add it to our meal plan for the upcoming week. Mundane week nights are the best in my opinion. I love not having an agenda and just chilling at home! Have a great weekend, Kath!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I’ve been wanting to have squash of some kind for a few weeks now and with not being able to find it at the grocery store (they keep it outside and I don’t think to look for it until I’m already in – and I KEEP doing this) But I’m so making note of your way to prep because I’ve also been dreading the preparation process. Fixed that issue. Thanks! 😉
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Dinner looks great 😀
Sarah@The Flying ONION says
One of the reasons I very rarely buy stuffed ravioli or gnocchi is because of how calorie dense/un-filling I find them to be. You quite simply solved my conundrum with your veggie packed dinner. Love this! And can’t wait to recreate something similar in my own kitchen. 😀
Hillary says
My boyfriend and I had the exact same kind of night last night: dinner in, PJs on, catching up on The Office. Simple and good : )
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
Ooooh… Troegs beer! The Mad Elf is delicious!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
Cinnamon and cayenne on roasted squash sounds delicious! Your dinner looks absolutely perfect. I love fall inspired dinners like that 🙂
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
I’m just starting to get into roasting veggies. Like the idea of adding cinnamon and cayene. Spicy and zippy. Great idea!
Lauren @ A Full Measure of Happiness says
Wow I can’t get over that red tree! All the leaves around us are orange (and equally beautiful) but that red…
Karen says
What a perfect bowl of goodness. And, cayenne and cinnamon is such a winning combo esp. on roasted squash.
Happy Friday, Kath!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Dinner looks awesome! I always struggle with how to increase the protein in meatless pasta dishes – I love your idea to add edamame!
Lori says
I’m seeing recipes for butternut squash everywhere these days, but I just can’t like it. I’ve tried to like it. I want to like it. I just don’t. 🙁
Priscilla says
do you peel the delicata squash as well?
KathEats says
No I didn’t – because the skin seemed more tender to me
Priscilla says
Thank you! That is what I thought but just wanted to make sure! Love everything about your blog! I smile everyday reading it!
KathEats says
Thanks Priscilla!
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
great tricks on the squash prep…anything that avoids losing a finger while cutting in is all good by me. thanks!!! 🙂
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
Forgot to mention…love, love, love the pic of the tree!!! Stunning! Must have been a positively gorgeous walk. Most of our colors are gone so it’s really a day brightener to behold that one. Thanks 🙂
Shannon @ The Hungry Rower says
Thanks for the squash preparation tips! Can’t even count how many times lately I’ve accidently sent a squash flying across my kitchen while trying to cut it up for roasting. : )
Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel says
Ah, butternut squash–so fall! I finally had butternut squash soup for the first time, and it was DELICIOUS. Can’t believe it took me this long!
A J says
Beautiful tree. Is that your gorgeous house?
KathEats says
It’s not, no : )
Zoe Schaeffer says
Just a quick question – why wash when you’re going to peel?
KathEats says
Why not? There is always a chance of contaminants on the outside and the peeler might get those inside