Butternut Squash And Barley Soup Food

MOOSEWOOD'S BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH SAGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Brush the bottom of a baking pan with olive oil and set aside. Cut the squash through the stem ends into halves, prick the skin in several places with a knife, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
• Brush the cut surfaces with about a tablespoon of the olive oil.
• Put the garlic inside the squash cavities and place halves in the pan cut side down.
• Add the onions to the pan and brush with remaining olive oil. Pour the water into the bottom of the pan, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 50 minutes.
• Uncover and bake for 5-10 minutes more or until the squash is tender and the onions are soft.
• When the squash is cooled enough to handle, scoop out the flesh.
• Squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins and discard the skins.
• In batches in a blender, combine the baked vegetables, apple juice or stock, thyme, nutmeg, salt and pepper and puree until it is smooth. (If you are making this ahead - chill here - and when ready go to the next direction).
• Pour the soup into a pot and heat gently.
• In a small skillet, melt the butter and saute the sage leaves until dark and curled.
• Garnish each bowl of soup with the sage leaves.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the broth to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to low.
• Heat oil in a medium sized pot over medium heat.
• Add onion and sauté until tender.
• Add squash and sauté for another 3 minutes. Add barley and stir for 2 more minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup of the boiled broth, and chopped sage. Simmer, stirring often until broth is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• Add remaining broth slowly, about 1/3 cup at a time, allowing it to be absorbed each time.
• Cook barley until tender but still firm, about 35-40 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

WEIGHT WATCHERS BARLEY WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, APPLES AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt to a boil in a medium saucepan; add barley. Cover saucepan and simmer barley until tender, about 30 to 35 minutes; drain.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add squash and cook, stirring often, until it's starting to soften--about five minutes. Add the onion and red pepper and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
• Stir in apple, garlic, thyme, black pepper and remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring, until apple is almost tender, about 2 minutes; stir in broth, scraping bottom of skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Stir in cooked barley; toss over low heat to mix and coat. Remove from heat and serve. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
• *To make this vegetarian, use vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth.