REV: Butternut Squash, Apple and Leek Gratin 9/01

[greysangel]

WOW!!! :D

This was DELICIOUS! I made this last night and halved the recipe with no problem. I cannot emphasize enough how impressed I was with the taste of this. It was my first time using leeks so I was a bit skeptical, but this was great. I'm not even sure if it needed the breading on top...the mixture was delicious enough without breading or pine nuts.

A definite repeat...I LOVE butternut squash and this was so easy to put together and so yummy!

Ok...enough rambling...

I served it with the blackstrap pork chops also from 9/01 issue.

JeAnne

[ElinorC]

JeAnne,
We loved this dish also. The taste of squash, leeks and apples was really satisfying. The leek with it's garlicky onion taste really made the dish and emphasized the sweetness of the squash and apples. This is a definite repeater.

[JennyFal]

JeAnne,
Thanks for the review. This is one I've been contemplating and, with such a great review, will make soon.

[DIANE T]

JeAnne,

Thank you for the review. I am making this tonight, along with the pork chops.

[greysangel]

This recipe stands out in September's issue for sure!

DH only eats veggies if they are "hiding" in casseroles, sauces etc..

He had like three helpings of this.

I'm looking forward to finding other things to pair with this :)

JeAnne

[KValley]

Je Anne wasn't kidding- this is delicious. It'[s a bit of work- all of that peeling, cubing, bread crumb processing, but pairing it with a simpler dish (in our case, the Chicken in Garlic Sauce, August '01), balanced out the labor.

It tastes like Fall, like the filling of a sweet/savory pie. The bread crumb/pine nut topping is a must (IMHO). The dish is filling, rich and satisfying.

I'm looking forward to leftovers for breakfast!

Julie

[SoCal]

I am so glad you reviewed this recipe!! It is absolutely wonderful. I COULD NOT stop eating it!! :o Julie's comments were right on. This dish screams of Fall and a crustless, savory apple pie.

Here are a couple of things I did differently:

* I roasted the butternut squash cubes (450 degrees for almost 10 min.) instead of steaming them.

* I didn't have nutmeg so I used allspice.

* I used a 'Spicy Cider' from Trader Joe's. The ingredients are - Unfiltered apple juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, allspice, clove, orange peel and lemon peel.

* I used plain breadcrumbs instead of the two slices of bread pulsed in a food processor (which I don't have). I was not going to even bother with this but I am glad I did.

* I did not use any pine nuts. Just could not bring myself to paying $4.00+ for a little, tiny bag ;) .

This dish would be perfect with ham IMHO.

Thanks againg JeAnne for recommending this dish. I know what I'll be having for lunch this week!

[sissyjane]

Well I'm definately going to try the squash ,but I was not happy with the pork chops.We had them last night, and weren't too happy with them.:(