Winter Squash Gratin with Goat Cheese and Hazelnuts

-Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

-Peel, seed and then cut 1 winter squash into 1-inch cubes.

-Place the squash cubes on a baking tray and coat with the following:

2 TBS olive oil

A sprinkle of sea salt and some pepper

-Roast until just tender and beginning to brown, stirring occasionally for about 35 minutes.

-Meanwhile, melt 3 TBS butter in a heavy skillet over medium-low heat.

-Add the following:

2 leeks, washed and cut into half moon shaped pieces

1 tsp dried sage

Sea salt and pepper

-Sauté until tender but not brown, about 7 minutes.

-Coat an 11x7-inch baking dish with 1 TBS butter.

-Spread half the leek mixture over the bottom of the baking dish and then when finished roasting, spread half of the squash over the leeks.

-Crumble up a 5.5-ounce log of chevre goat cheese and sprinkle half over the leeks/squash in the baking dish.

-Repeat layering of leeks/squash/goat cheese.

-Pour 1 cup of heavy cream over the gratin. 

-Sprinkle with ½ cup toasted chopped hazelnuts.

-Bake uncovered until gratin is heated through and cream is bubbling, about 30 minutes.

 

Stuffed Sweet Peppers

-Heat the oven to 375 degrees.

-Slice 3-4 peppers in half lengthwise then scoop out any seeds and membrane.

For the filling:

-Cut 4 slices of thick cut bacon crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick strips.

-Add to a pan over medium heat.

-Cook, stirring often, until crisp.

-Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel to drain.

-Dice half an onion.

-Add the onion to the pan used to cook the bacon. If the pan seems dry, add a splash of olive oil.

-Cook for 2-3 minutes.

-Add 1 clove of minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

-Remove from the heat.

-Add the following to a bowl:

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

4 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature

Juice of half a lemon

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

-Mix until well blended.

-In another bowl, combine the following:

3 TBS melted butter

3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
The bacon

 -Spoon the cheese mixture into each pepper half then place the pepper, filling side down, into the buttery breadcrumbs.

-Arrange pepper halves, filling side up on the baking sheet.

-Bake the peppers until they have softened and the breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 20 minutes.