Butternut Squash Bread and Muffins + Chicken Soup!

So instead of doing any real work today I made butternut squash bread and muffins!

I forgot to take pictures so I guess I will have to do it again huh?

Anyway. The butternut squash bread came out amazing. Almost like a sweet bread I should say. You really couldn't taste the squash, but the bread had a nice texture/taste to it. I am definitely doing this again as I have leftover butternut squash puree that I made. I halved the recipe and also only used 2 tspns yeast instead of 2 and a 1/2.

As for the muffins I haven't had on yet. But I adapted the recipe. Did 2 and 1/2 tspns of pumpkin spice and sprinkled some rolled oats on the top to make it look health. I also used 1 and a 1/2 tblspns of butter instead of just a tablespn. Hahaha. I know right? I have high expectations for these muffins. I'm going to have one with my coffee tomorrow morning.

For the chicken soup, like the stew, no real recipe. I just threw in some drumsticks into a pot of water/beer/chick stock mixture. I think I had 4 cups chicken broth, 2 beers, and 6 cups of water. I then brought it to a boil. Simmered for a few minutes before throwing in chopped carrots and celery. Let that simmer for 30 minutes before throwing in some whole wheat egg noodle. To season I threw in garlic salt, pepper, rosemary, and a dash of chipotle pepper for a kick. It came out great! Anthony and patient zero thought so. Patient zero also really liked the butternut squash bread. This whole cooking him Sunday dinner is nice.

Next up is North Carolina shaped shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate. I'm going to make it Tuesday night for my thesis proposal defense on Thursday. Can't make them Wednesday as there is this career networking thing at night. I'm really excited to use the cookie cutter not only b/c I got it from Kitchenworks, but to also prove patient zero wrong that ashville won't burn while willmington gets undercooked.

Finally here are the recipes for the bread and muffins. I got them from Allrecipe. Love that site!

Butternut Squash Bread INGREDIENTS

• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F to 115 degrees F)
• 1 1/4 cups mashed, cooked butternut squash
• 1 cup warm milk (110 to 115 degrees F)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 7 cups all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water; let stand for 5 minutes. Add squash, milk, eggs, butter, sugar and salt; mix well. Gradually add 3-1/2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Shape into three loaves; place in greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until tops are golden. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.

Butternut Squash Muffin INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 pound peeled, seeded and cubed butternut squash
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 12 cup muffin pan.
2. In a medium saucepan with enough water to cover, boil squash 20 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat, drain, and puree in a food processor.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, white sugar, salt and pumpkin pie spice.
4. In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix together milk, egg and butter. Stir in squash. Fold the squash mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened.
5. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan, filling cups about 1/2 full. Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove from muffin pan and cool on a wire rack.