Curry Squash Empanadas

For Thanksgiving, I was to bring the Turkey balls I did last year and I suggested pumpkin empanadas.  Two weeks prior, my sisters and I had gone to a Thai restaurant that had the most delicious curry pumpkin empanadas and I was determined to recreate some.  To my dismay, when I went grocery shopping, there were NO cooking pumpkins. What's a girl that loves to improvise to do, but to improvise and use the squash I had at home already.  I was a bit apprehensive taking it for Thanksgiving because they were expecting pumpkins and I was bringing squash that not too many of them like to eat anyway.

I cooked the cubed squash in the oven and then sautéed some onions on the stovetop and added curry powder and my seasonings. Sorry, no pictures. I was trying to work with two toddlers at the same time.

I then went searching for empanada dough recipes online. I found several and one that actually had squash as the stuffing. Authentic Suburban Gourmet's recipe was the easiest I could find.  Hers looked so good and simple, I had to try.

I made a little bit of her mint and cilantro chutney to go with it

 

 

All my worries were put to rest when DH eat a whole one from the first batch. Once I shared with the entire family during dinner, it was a hit. I've been asked to make them again at least three times now. I don't know if it's the crust or what, BUT they loved them.

Bacon Souffle

I had always wanted to try and make a soufflé. I love the ones that Panera sells, so I took on the challenge. The process isn't hard, but the it takes technique.  I burned the first try but will give it another try soon.

PS: Since I'm posting these late, I don't have the steps I took fresh in my head, so the pictures have to speak for themselves.

Brown and cool the pancetta

I thought I had it down, but I was working with a crappy oven and they burned

 It was still very flavorful, but the smoothness of the crust wasn't there

Quick Dinners - Couscous with Mahi Mahi

This meal took less than half hour to cook. Brown the Mahi Mahi in some olive oil and add salsa and let it cook till fish is flaky. I added some cilantro for flavor. Serve over couscous and you have yourself a quick but delicious dinner.