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FUN PARTY FOODS
Easy, Flavorful and Festive by Renée Loux
M
ake the most of being a host with party foods sure to wow guests. Combining classic con- cepts with tasty twists will satisfy any gourmet in search of a fabulous holiday buffet. Whether you are a year-round or seasonal party planner, these crowd- pleasing appetizers will make you the toast of the celebration circuit.
Butternut Squash Spread with Baked Spelt Crisps
A festive, flavorful spread perks up
any table, and this one commands at- tention with its gorgeous golden color. Butternut squash is loaded with antioxi- dant vitamins A and C, carotenoid an- tioxidants, potassium and manganese. Plus, it is simple to make and serve. For an innovative use of leftovers, add 1 cup of vegetable broth or stock to 1
cup of the prepared recipe, mix well and warm up for a satisfying serving of smooth soup.
Yields: about 4 cups (dairy-free) 1 medium butternut squash (about 6 cups of cubes)
2 Tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, finely minced 1 tsp maple syrup (optional) 1 tsp finely grated ginger 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme leaves)
1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped finely (or ½ tsp dried rosemary)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Peel squash, cut in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds with
a spoon.
Cut into 1-inch cubes. Place in a medium-large saucepan and cover with filtered water plus 2 inches. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to simmer for 6-9 minutes or until tender and eas- ily pierced with a fork. Drain liquid and let cool until com- fortable to handle. Reserve the liquid for other uses such as making a vegetable stock or watering houseplants. Place cooked squash in a food processor with olive oil, garlic, ginger, thyme, rosemary, a scant teaspoon of sea salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Blend until very smooth. Sea- son further to taste with sea salt and pepper as needed. Serve with crisps, crackers, whole-
grain bread or crudité vegetables. Store any leftovers in a sealed con- tainer in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Baked Spelt Chips Easy, homemade crisps are delight-
fully crunchy and contain less oil than nearly anything available for purchase in a bag, plus the oil is of a high qual- ity. Spelt (an ancient variety of wheat) contains more nutrients and less gluten than standard wheat. Look for whole
42 Broward County, Florida
FtL.NaturalAwakeningsMag.com
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