Beef and Squash Chili

I couldn't cook this meal and not post about it.

It's the last day of November, I have csa butternut squash and a nice plump glass of white wine.  All is well.

Here is what I am cooking - with some enormous liberties taken regarding the recipe, for one thing I don't have chili's on hand, but I do have some sneaky and very  old packets of seasoning mixes hiding in the back of my cupboard, so I used one meant for Carne Adovada.  It's horrifically spicy and looks AH-MAYZING splattered all over my wall.

Here is the recipe from Bon Appetit:  http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/beef-and-squash-chili

INGREDIENTS

• 1 dried ancho chile
• 1 dried pasilla chile
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 tsp. vegetable oil
• 1 pound boneless beef chuck roast, cut into ½” pieces
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large white onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 12-oz. bottle lager
• ½ acorn squash, scrubbed, sliced into thin wedges, then into 1” pieces
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• Sour cream, chopped avocado, and sliced red onion (for serving)

Nutritional Information

Calories (kcal) 400 Fat (g) 21 Saturated Fat (g) 5 Cholesterol (mg) 65 Carbohydrates (g) 20 Dietary Fiber (g) 4 Total Sugars (g) 3 Protein (g) 31 Sodium (mg) 150

PREPARATION

View Step-by-Step Directions

• Toast chiles in a dry small skillet over medium-high heat, turning occasionally and pressing down to help them make contact with the pan, until darkened in color and beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover with 2 cups boiling water; let sit 30 minutes to soften. Drain; remove seeds and stems. Purée chiles and broth in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Once chiles have soaked 10 minutes, heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high. Season beef with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over, about 5 minutes. At this point, quite a bit of liquid will have accumulated; continue to cook until it has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Transfer beef to a plate.
• Add 1 Tbsp. oil to pot, then white onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until softened, 6–8 minutes; onion juices will help loosen anything left on bottom of pot. Add cumin and oregano and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Return beef to pot and add beer. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until almost completely reduced, about 4 minutes. Add chile purée, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is slightly thickened and meat is tender, 20–25 minutes. Add squash; cover and cook until tender, 10–15 minutes. Stir in lime juice.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Toss pumpkin seeds and remaining 1 tsp. oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Let cool.
• Serve chili topped with sour cream, avocado, red onion, and toasted pumpkin seeds.
• DO AHEAD: Chili can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill, or freeze up to 1 month.

Parmesan and Herb Puffs

These were super easy and like mini cheese suffles.  Got the recipe in Sunset Magazine.

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/parmesan-herb-cheese-puffs

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Karen Shinto

Yield:

Makes 50 (serving size: 3 puffs)

Recipe from

Recipe Time

Total: 1 Hour, 45 Minutes

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Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, cut into chunks

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 cups flour

6 large eggs

1/2 pound parmesan cheese, grated in a food processor*, divided

2 teaspoons minced fresh chives

2 teaspoons minced fresh dill

2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley

2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a medium saucepan, bring butter, salt, and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir constantly until dough comes together and pulls away from pan, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool 2 minutes.
2. Add eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition until eggs are incorporated and dough is glossy. Stir in 1 1/4 cups cheese. In a small bowl, combine herbs, then stir 1 1/2 tbsp. into dough.
3. Line 3 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon dough onto sheets by 4-tsp. portions (measure the first portion, then eyeball the rest) about 1 in. apart. Combine remaining cheese and herbs, then sprinkle onto dough.
4. Bake 1 or 2 sheets at a time (for 2, switch sheet positions halfway through baking) until puffs are deep golden, 35 minutes. With a small knife, poke each puff at the "waist" to release steam. Bake until crisp and richly browned, 5 to 8 minutes more. Serve warm.
*For an accurate measurement, whirl chunks with the metal blade or grate with the smallest holes on a hand grater; don't shred.
Make ahead: Through step 3, up to 1 day, chilled airtight, or 1 month, frozen. (Freeze until solid, transfer to bags, and bake frozen.)