Starving Artist

There’s just something about a rainy Saturday morning that makes me want to stay in bed all day watching movies and my favorite Food Network lineup. Unfortunately, that option wasn’t in the cards today. Out of bed and out the door by 9:00, I headed to Trader Joe’s to pick up a few items that I needed for this upcoming week’s recipes. I can never leave that store with only a couple things – I should know better by now!

One of my new discoveries this week was TJ’s Very Green Juice Blend. I’ve been hearing a lot about green drinks, and thought I’d give it a shot. A mixture of banana, mango, kiwi, and green foods – spinach, kale, green algae, etc. – I expected a horrid taste, but to suffer through it because of the health benefits. Much to my surprise, it actually tastes really good – sweet and fruity! This is going to be a new morning staple so I don’t continue on my terrible 3 cups of coffee a morning routine…

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This was a morning of discoveries, as I had my first Larabar for breakfast. I went for the Apple Pie flavor, and it was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. A raw food, each bar contains 100% whole foods and no more than 8 ingredients. It wasn’t like most of those other bars that taste like cardboard and nothing like the flavor they’re supposed to have, I was definitely tasting the apple and cinnamon. SO fresh and tasty!

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Groceries purchased, breakfast eaten, showered and ready, I headed to North Station to take the train home to my parents’ house for the rest of the weekend.

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I love riding the train, it’s just so relaxing and a perfect time to either get some work done or just aimlessly stare out the window while listening to my music. I was hoping to get a little reading in from one of the two new books that I recently picked up at Borders.

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My parents picked my brother and I up from the train station, and (shocking) we headed to Trader Joe’s again for my second time today. I apparently just can’t get enough!! We’re participating in the Memory Walk for the Alzheimer’s Association tomorrow with my extended family, and so we’re needing to bring a dish for the potluck we’re all having after the walk. I think I might make my Harvest Apple Butternut Squash Soup… a nice warm soup will be in order after a long rainy walk! :)

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It was so beautiful outside today – perfect for walking around and being outside. I was surprised to find that this was the first day that I needed a coat… I guess it is almost October! I thought it would be appropriate to counter the slight chill with a warm hearty soup.

This recipe was inspired by my mom, and Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains. My mom usually makes a butternut squash soup and adds in the TJ’s Grains. The grains are a savory mix of couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans, and red quinoa. The colors are so fitting for the season – white couscous peppered with deep reds, greens and yellows. I’m usually not a butternut squash fan, so I thought I would pair the squash with apple to mellow out the flavor.

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I can’t believe how amazing this soup turned out! It was so hearty, with the perfect balance of squash, apples and spices. It’s a definite soul-warmer, and my new quintessential Fall dish, I’m convinced. The slivered almonds that I topped it with worked really well with the flavors. PLEASE try it out and let me know what you think! :)

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Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 15oz. can of butternut squash puree
• 8 oz. of apple sauce (unsweetened)
• 1/2 white onion (finely chopped)
• 1 apple (cored and finely chopped)
• A pinch of crushed garlic
• 1/2 cup fat free half + half
• 2 1/3 cup chicken stock
• 3/4 cup Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains
• 1 tbsp light margarine
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

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Directions:

1. Finely chop the apple and the onion. Add the margarine to a large stock pot, and saute the garlic, apples + onion (along with salt and pepper) on low heat until tender (do not brown).
2. Lower the heat and add in the butternut squash, applesauce, half + half, nutmeg, cinnamon, and chicken stock.
3. Bring to a boil and add in the harvest grains.
4. Lower the heat and simmer on low for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

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