Black Bean "Chili" with Winter Squash

It’s winter squash season! I found a recipe for “black bean chili with winter squash” on vegetariantimes.com (link) and created my own variation. It’s more of a stew with everything than chili, although you can add some kick to make it spicy like chili.

3-4 medium potatoes
1 medium acorn or butternut squash
1 onion
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 16oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 32oz. can diced tomatoes
1 16oz. can corn, drained and rinsed
1 t ground cumin
1 t cayenne pepper
salt & pepper

1. Peel and dice potatoes. Boil until easily pierced with a knife, drain and set aside.
2. Cut squash in half, scoop out seeds, and place in a microwave-safe container with 1/4 inch of water. Cover and microwave until tender, allowing 2 to 3 minutes per squash half. Remove squash and let cool, then peel and cut into chunks.
3. In a large pan, cook onion and garlic approximately 5 minutes over medium heat. Add black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, cooked potatoes and squash chunks. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve warm.

I’ve made this once with acorn squash and once with butternut. Both are fantastic, but acorn is definitely more time consuming peeling since it’s such a weird shape. Just something to think about.

Banana Bread!

I had in the past mused about how poorly I was making banana bread. Well, after countless over-ripened bananas forced me to try various recipes I FINALLY discovered my favorite, which has become a favorite among friends and family I've shared my skill with. This recipe comes courtesy of Cathy Lowe listed on the Food Network website (link).

2 c flour
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1 t salt
2 eggs
1 c sugar
4 very ripe bananas*
1 t vanilla
1/2 c vegetable oil
1 t cinnamon
1/2 c chopped walnuts, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and powder, salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together eggs and sugar. Stir in mashed bananas, vanilla, oil and cinnamon.
4. Stir in flour mixture into wet ingredients, a third at a time, until just combined.
5. Divide batter into two 9x5 loaf pans. Bake for about 1 hour.

*I have at times only used 3 large bananas without issue.
I've also added chocolate chips and/or walnuts with tasty success.