Cheesy Stuffed Acorn Squash Food

TEX-MEX STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil; set aside. Place the acorn squash in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/4 cup water. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and microwave until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, spread the tofu on a large plate and press out the excess moisture with paper towels; set aside. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and all but 2 tablespoons of the scallions; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder and cumin and stir to coat the vegetables. Add the tofu and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, breaking up any large chunks, until combined. Stir in the salsa. Remove from the heat.
• Set the squash halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet (trim the bottoms so they sit flat, if necessary). Pat dry and season the insides generously with salt and pepper. Stir half of the cheese into the tofu mixture, then divide among the squash halves. Top with the remaining cheese and bake until the filling is hot and the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Top with the reserved scallions and assorted toppings.

CHEESY STUFFED SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Boil the squash 10 minutes until softened.
• When cooled enough to handle, remove the stems and cut in half lengthwise.
• Remove the pulp.
• Cook the bacon until crisp.
• Saute the onion in 2T bacon drippings.
• Add crumbled bacon, breadcrumbs and squash pulp.
• Fill the squash shells.
• Top each shell with cheese.
• Broil until melted.
• Sprinkle with paprika.

ACORN SQUASH STUFFED WITH CHEESY MUSHROOM RICE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Brush cut sides of squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil and place, skin-side up, on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender and lightly browned, about 40 minutes.
• While squash bakes, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; stir in mushrooms, onion, garlic, and thyme. Cook and stir until soft, about 5 minutes. Add rice; cook and stir until rice is coated, about 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in Cheddar cheese.
• Remove squash from the oven, flip over, and season with salt and pepper. Fill squash with rice mixture, sprinkle with panko, and drizzle with remaining olive oil.
• Return to the oven and bake until heated through, about 10 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil until panko is brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes.

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cut the acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds and discard.
• Lay the flat sides onto a greased cookie sheet. Brush the shells of the squash halves with olive oil or spray with cooking spray.
• Bake for 1 hour.
• Remove from oven and let cool.
• With a metal spoon, scrape squash from shell, being careful not to puncture the shell.
• Put in a medium mixing bowl.
• Add all other ingredients and stir until combined.
• Scoop mixture back into shells.
• Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is melted.

CHEESY STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Cut squash in half and remove the seeds.
• Rub the cut flesh with salt and place flesh side down in a baking dish and bake for about 35 minutes.
• While the squash is baking, sauté onion in butter until clear and add chopped broccoli florets, mushrooms and celery.
• Sauté about 4 minutes.
• Stir in walnuts and fresh basil, then sprinkle with brown sugar and soy sauce, adjust seasoning to taste. Toss to mix well.
• Check baking squash with a fork to see if it glides through the flesh.
• Stuff with vegetable mixture, top with equal amounts of grated cheese and return to oven for about 5 minutes.
• NOTES : Baked acorn squash halves stuffed with sautéed broccoli, cheese and walnuts.

CHEESY RICE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat to 425 degrees F. Put the squash, cut-side up, in a large microwave-safe dish with 1 tablespoon water; dot with 1 tablespoon butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and pierce with a knife to vent. Microwave until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion; cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the flour and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk until smooth, then bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the cheese, stirring to melt. Add the nutmeg, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Stir in the rice and spinach.
• Transfer the squash to a rimmed baking sheet and fill with the rice mixture. Sprinkle with more cheese and bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Top with parsley.

WILD RICE, CHERRIES, APRICOTS AND CHEESY STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Squash -- Drizzle the olive oil the inside of the squash and sprinkle with sald and pepper. Place flesh side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment or even foil in a 400 degree oven, middle shelf for about 30-40 minutes depending on the size of the squash. Just poke with a knife and it should be tender but no falling apart. Remove from the oven so you can add the stuffing.
• Rice -- As the squash is baking, cook the rice according to the package directions. But as the rice cooks, add if your garlic and shallots, so it will cook right along with the rice. TIP: I always cook my rice in broth rather than water, so if you want to add some more flavor, rather than water, use chicken or vegetable broth.
• Finishing -- Once the rice is done, remove from the heat and stir in the butter, scallions, cherries, apricots and nuts. Then stuff the squash! I fill each squash half way, and then add a little cheese, add the rest of the rice and top with the remainder of the cheese.
• Bake -- 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. This will reheat the squash, rice, and melt the cheese.
• Serve -- ENJOY! 1 squash half per person is healthy and filling. As I mentioned, roast chicken is great with this or go lighter with a salad.