Winter Squash

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

 

 

Winter is the season to make warming soups to comfort you during the dark evenings that prevail. I picked some winter squash a few days ago from Bath Organic Gardens and for the first time, made some soup with them. Squash are rich in vitamins A and C, and the darker the colour of the squash, the more vitamin A it contains. Winter squash is also a good source of iron and riboflavin - so get cooking with it!

 

 

Here is a quick and easy recipe that serves around 2 people:

 

Roasted Squash Soup

 

Ingredients:

Splash of vegetable oil

1 large butternut squash

1 onion

1 clove of garlic

1 litre of vegetable stock

1 tbsp. of cumin

Pinch of cinnamon

Pinch of chili

Salt and pepper to taste

Dollop of cream (optional)

 

 

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees / Gas mark 4.

 

On a chopping board roughly cut up the squash (removing the seeds) with a large knife. Cut off the stem, and cut length ways into the rind. If it is too hard to cut, microwave for a few minutes to soften the skin. Next, chop the onion into large chunks and crush the garlic. 

 

Put some oil in a roasting tin and toss the squash, onion, garlic and spices in, making sure they are covered in oil. Season with salt and pepper.

 

Next, roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes at 180 degrees / Gas 4 until the ingredients have a caramelised colour to them but not burnt.

 

Whilst waiting for the ingredients to roast, make up the stock mixture using boiling water. Then, put all of the roasted vegetables into a blender with a few spoonful's of the stock mixture. Blend.

 

Depending on how thick you want your soup, you can gradually add more stock and if you find you have put too much stock in, just place the soup in a pan and slowly boil until it has reached the consistency you want.

 

Season the soup again and dollop some cream on top. Serve with warm, crusty bread.

 

 

What recipes do you cook with squash?

 

 

 

Market Find: Framed Butterflies

 

Every first and last Sunday of the month Green Park Station in Bath, is host to a Vintage & Antiques market. I often go for a gander as it is only 10 minutes away from my house. Looking around the various stalls is always fun as the stalls have something different to offer every time. It is always bursting with treasures, ranging from collectable porcelain, glitzy jewellery and furniture to vintage toys, rare LP's and treasured curios.

Recently I have accumulated a fascination and love for butterflies. There's something about their delicacy and beauty I admire and I have been on the look-out for framed butterflies for a while. So when I saw this framed picture at the market with 7 framed butterflies I was happy!

However, the glass was broken which meant I would have to get it re-framed. It also meant it was £25 down from £45 after I learnt it was broken by a customer looking at the stall this morning. I decided to blow my student budget and buy it as it has 2 rare butterflies and would look perfect in my room...

Do you like butterflies? What do you think?



My Nostalgic Thing

This week it was great to go back to Devon and find a pile of magazines that had been delivered to my house. Reading magazines by a cosy fire with some tea and cake is unbeatable...

What magazines do you read?

Charity Shop Find

 

 

Being a student with no job and not much money means going shopping has to be a treat now. Much to my disappointment. I used to buy something new almost every week when I was at college and couldn't help but go in and see what shops had to offer. However, now I tend to go charity shopping a lot more as I can justify spending £3.50 on a top rather than the average £25 I would normally spend. There is something more fun and exciting about charity shopping as you never know what you might find. You have to delve and search for a jem instead of sifting through Topshop rails where you know what you're getting. Also, being in Bath, the selection in charity shops is a lot better than at home!

I picked up this glittery tee for just £3.50. It is an XL and had shoulder pads but I cut them out and roll the sleeves when I wear it. It has a wintery feel to it and is perfect with black jeans and a bandeau for going out.



 

What bargains have you found?

Raw Cashew Coconut Balls

 

Raw Cashew Coconut balls

So I am a snacker. I need snacks throughout the day to keep me going and I am on a mission to find some healthy recipes so I swap the chocolate fix for something nutritious. These Raw Cashew Coconut Balls have chia seeds in which are packed with Omega 3's, fibre and calcium. They also have cinnamon in, which helps regulate blood glucose levels to keep the sugary cravings at bay. This recipe is simple to make and will keep you full until Tea time...

 

 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of sticky dates
1/2 cup of soaked cashews

1/2 cup of desiccated coconut

1 tsp. of chia seeds

1 tbsp. of honey

Pinch of cinnamon

Drop of vanilla essence

 

Method: 

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend for around 3 minutes until the mixture sticks between your fingers. It should be very sticky! If it isn't sticky enough then add more honey or put in the fridge to set for 5 minutes.

 

Scoop out the mixture and roll into little balls.

 

Put on a plate and keep in the fridge.


 

 

 

 

Enjoy!

Car boot Find

You can’t beat the British charm of pottering around a car-boot sale on an Autumn afternoon unearthing treasures at a cheap price. The thrill of finding exquisite items piled on top of plastic tables, sheets and stalls is something irresistible. Even if you don’t find something, there’s always the fascination of looking at what’s on offer and never knowing what you might find.
My local car-boot in Devon is only a 15 minute drive so it's handy when you've got a spare few hours. I am not good at haggling and it is something I must work on! However, when I came across this original vintage Biba bag I didn't feel the need to haggle. I was stood debating at the stall: Do I really need another bag? when the owner offered £3 for it. How could I resist? So I came away happy with the delicate embroidered bag in clutched in my hand.

What treasures have you found?

My Nostalgic Thing

Baking With Friends.With so much going on and not much time to spare, it's important to make time for friends. Nothing beats a bit of baking, gossiping and TV watching with your closest ones. We made some scrummy cookies...and managed to demolish them all!

What did you do?

My Nostalgic Thing

So, I have plans to make this a regular post and share with you something nostalgic I have done... 
Wondering Around The Museum.
On those afternoons where the sun is out and you have a little free time, it's always good to do something different. I decided to take my housemates to the Holburne Museum in Bath. It sits grandly at the end of Great Pulteney Street, waiting for discoveries to be found by all. I used to volunteer there but hadn't been back since Summer.
With 2 floors filled with delights, it’s a place to wonder around and relax while absorbing various art and history. In the Galleries, there are secret drawers with puzzles and facts, as well as the chance for you to look at the miniature items close up. 18th Century paintings dominate the fantastic core collection - hugely based on William Holburnes’ own findings – but with a selection of modern art combined with the classical portraits, everyone can find a little something they enjoy. The housemates seemed to like it and more so by the fact it's free entry!

What is your nostalgic thing?