Apple Butternut Squash Soup

4T butter
1 medium leek
4 c fresh butternut squash cubes
2 granny smith apples peeled cored and cut into 1 inch cubes
4 c chicken broth
1 t curry powder
1 t kosher salt
1 t sugar
1/2 t ground pepper
1 cup half and half

Garnish sour cream, chopped green onions

In a large saucepan heat butter. Saute the onion until soft about 2-3 min. Add the squash and apples. Cover; simmer on low for 2-3 min. Add the broth, curry powder, salt, sugar and pepper. Cover and simmer on low heat for 30 min. until the squash has cooked through and is tender. Transfer to a blender, food processor or use an immersion blender to puree the soup. Transfer to sauce pan, add the half and half and simmer the soup for another 2 min on low just until heated through. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and chopped onions. Makes 6-8 servings. (I like to not puree mine all the way, I like a few little chucks in it.)

Submitted by Shirley Nault (served at Terrific Tuesday 2009)

Chipotle peppers and mushroom salsa.

½ pound mushrooms chopped
½ onion chopped
1 cup sour cream
1-4 chipotle peppers (depends how hot you want it) or you can use just the juice that comes in the can
Salt (about ¼ teaspoon)

Sauté the onions and add the mushrooms once the onions are translucid, keep them frying until the mushroom change color. Blend the sour cream and the chipotle peppers, add the mix to the mushrooms, stir well, turn the heat off, add the salt.
Serve with corn chips.

Note: the chipotle peppers are in the Mexican food section in little cans.

Submitted by Marcela Gonzalez

Salsa de chiles serranos .

(Serrano Peppers salsa)
(it’s hot but once you get used to it, it’s really good)


½ pound Serrano Peppers
1 garlic head
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup vegetable oil
Salt (about ½ teaspoon)

Roast the peppers a little bit on a grill, the skin need to be a little bit brown. Blend the pepper with the rest of the ingredients, taste for more salt. It is really good for potaote chips, or you can use a little bit on tuna salad, tacos, carne asada.

Submitted by Marcela Gonzalez