I finally came out of my sickness slump on Friday, following a trip to my Jewish internist a few floors down. I only see him when I’m desperate, which is due simply to my aversion of taking medicine unless all else fails – it did, once the cookies were gone. Aside from my one annoyance with him, which is his inability to read anything in my chart before walking in (yes, I know…big whoop), he’s a pretty nice guy. I only wanted to punch him once at this visit – right after he made the assumption that I was a nurse because I’d switched specialties (pediatrics to cancer), because surely I wasn’t a doctor.. and what is a genetic counselor, anyway? Meh…
But the meds slowly relieved the ickiness, and by Friday I was feeling more like a 6 than a 3, which was good since the parentals were en route. Yes, my (divorced) parents, for whatever reason decided it’d be a good idea to drive up together from North Carolina for a weekend. Who flies these days, anyway – right?! Well, 17 hours later, they were here (yes, 17…. starting from Wilmington, meeting up in Fayetteville, & making pit stops at various intervals), and both were in need of a stiff drink!
Unlike most divorced parents, they can stand each other for a few days (with a few wise quips at each other thrown in for good measure), and they even choose to without any coercion. So visit they did, and cook I did thanks be to the z-pak, the aforementioned cookies, and a lot of sleep. They are super-easy guests in that right – no touring the city or fancy restaurants required, just visiting and eating whatever I make them!
For dinner one night, I insisted on using butternut squash as a side dish, in some way. I’ve seen them in the stores and at the markets, and have literally been fiending for the nutty, creamy vegetables since last year. My friend Jenn from The Whole Kitchen recently blogged about a tasty squash salad, and I found a version that reminded me a little of her Colorado find. It had everything I love – chipotle pepper, homemade ranch dressing, said squash, dried cranberries, and nuts. How could I go wrong?
Romaine & Butternut Squash Salad w/ chipotle-ranch dressing
Adapted from Cuisine at Home; serves 8
great salad and nice new banner
Yeah for the new banner! So intrigued that you can handle frisee, it's way too bitter for me.
NICE!!! thanks for the shout out…Yay, for butternut squash, too!
Thanks for the blog love – glad you found some squashy inspiration! LOVE LOVE LOVE the new banner – gorgeous! And chipotle ranch…that sounds amazing, and makes me sad that dairy and I are not on speaking terms. But, I've got another butternut in the fridge, and am formulating a plan for it this evening…
That salad was really good without the lettuce-will be really good with romaine. Everything you cooked was great and it was greater to spend time with you-you and Chris are the reason for going to Chicago (even if I didn't get to see Oprah-saw the studio). Enjoyed the whole visit!!! Luv Luv, Mom
Yum! I just did a smoked sausage, butternut squash, and wild rice soup this week that is so good. I added in some nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves for good measure…http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/smoked-sausage-butternut-squash-and-wild-rice-soup-recipe/index.html
Love the new banner! I may reach out to Jennifer and have her whip me up something! Mmmmm butternut squash. I just tried a butternut squash chicken salad. The recipe isn't quite where I want it yet, but it's still in the works.
@Caroline: weird isn't it? but again, maybe it's the ingredients that go along with it that counterbalance the bitter. this spicy dressing just did NOT work in that way!@Simps: no prob. I LOVE it, have I said that yet?@Jenn: I wonder if there is any way to make it with soy? I didn't actually buy buttermilk – I made it by adding lemon juice to milk (white vinegar works too, I think). i dunno…..@mom: we'll work on the Oprah tix next time!@Scrumpy: that recipe sounds excellent! I made a barley risotto with some last night – i'm sure i'll blog about it soon!@Emily: definitely contact her – ya coming to the next IC battle or WHAT?
I love the new header!