The best fall dinner!!!

Crap, it's been a while since I have posted. Since this blog was created to share my findings of all things that please our senses, I have to keep reminding myself that other things do exist besides home decor, interior design, and fabric samples. My lack of posts is mainly due to a few projects that have been keeping me very busy....one being organizing all of my hundreds of recipes into a binder w/plastic sleeves, dividers, labels, blah blah blah.. I am crazy and my new fat book is awesome!

Last night I made the best fall dinner ever!...even though it was like 105 degrees yesterday. I ripped this recipe out of one of the many Williams-Sonoma catalogs I have and could not have been more pleased with the finished product, so I must share it!!

Kerchief Pasta with Caramelized Squash and Fresh Herbs

Seasoned with fresh sage and parsley plus a hint of nutmeg, this warming pasta dish is perfect for an autumn supper. A sprinkling of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese adds the finishing touch. To prepare a vegetarian version of this dish, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Ingredients:

9 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 kabocha or butternut squash, 2 1/2 to 3 lb., peeled, seeded and cut into
1-inch dice
2 Tbs. sugar
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
3 Tbs. finely diced shallots
1/8 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1 Tbs. minced fresh sage
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbs. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 lb. fresh pasta sheets, cut into 2-inch squares (click here for fresh pasta recipe)
1 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

Directions:

In a braiser over medium-high heat, melt 3 Tbs. of the butter. Add the squash in a single layer and cook, without stirring, until browned underneath, about 6 minutes. Stir the squash and cook until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes more. Add the sugar, broth, salt and pepper, cover and cook until the squash is tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the liquid evaporates and the squash is dark brown and glazed, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer the squash mixture to a bowl.

In the same pan over medium-high heat, melt the remaining 6 Tbs. butter until light brown spots appear, about 2 minutes. Add the shallots, nutmeg and sage and cook, stirring constantly, until the shallots begin to soften, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the squash.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 3 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Add the pasta and the reserved cooking water to the squash mixture and toss to combine.

Transfer the pasta to a warmed large, shallow bowl and sprinkle with some of the cheese. Serve immediately and pass the remaining cheese alongside. Serves 4 to 6.
Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.


Now I must say that I did not make my own pasta (I used a box of farfalle) and I also added two chopped grilled chicken breasts to the final product. It really was fabulous!!