8.26.2014

Taste of Tuesday : Warm Butternut Squash and Chickpea Salad + Game Day Kick Off Week

I'm pretty sure my cousin made this recipe for me when she stayed back in February, but I didn't know exactly what recipe she used.  I came across this one from Smitten Kitchen and I'm obsessed.  I had my friend Courtney over for lunch last week for a playdate and made this salad and she shared my same OBSESSION.  It' so delicious and healthy.  The tahini dressing is perfection and I can't wait to make it again.  It's really and easy recipe except for cutting up the butternut squash.  Don't cheat and use frozen because it's not the same!!

Warm Butternut and Chickpea Salad with Tahini Dressing
Recipe via Smitten Kitchen who adapted from Orangette

Yield: 4 servings

For salad:
1 medium butternut squash (about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium garlic clove, minced or pressed
1/2 teaspoons ground allspice 
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt
One 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (1 1/2 cups)
1/4 of a medium red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

For tahini dressing:
1 medium garlic clove, finely minced with a pinch of salt
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons well-stirred tahini
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more to taste

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

In a large bowl, combine the butternut squash, garlic, allspice, olive oil, and a few pinches of salt. Toss the squash pieces until evenly coated. Roast them on a baking sheet for 25 minutes, or until soft. Remove from the oven and cool.

Meanwhile, make the tahini dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic and lemon juice. Add the tahini, and whisk to blend. Add the water and olive oil, whisk well, and taste for seasoning. The sauce should have plenty of nutty tahini flavor, but also a little kick of lemon. You will probably need to add more water to thin it out.

To assemble the salad, combine the squash, chickpeas, onion, and cilantro or parsley in a mixing bowl. Either add the tahini dressing to taste, and toss carefully, or you could serve the salad with the dressing on the side. Serve immediately.

Tahini Dressing:

I'm also participating in a Football link-up with Cait at Home Sweet Ruby.  She's a fellow Florida Gator which I love and has a passion for football like any girl from the South should :)  In honor of football starting this week, I'm sharing a few of my favorite {football related} dips and decor.



Mexi-Corn Dip

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls

Loaded Baked Potato Dip


Fabric Garland in your team colors


Football Beers 

I have a whole board on Pinterest dedicated to Game Day Recipes

I also wrote a post last year on Fall and Football favorites for your baby boy, here, that I thought I'd share too because it's just as important that the babies represent too!! 
Halloween & Football Favorites



Hooray for kick-off this week!!! What college team do you cheer for?? Any other Florida Gators out there???

 Linking up with: 
Emily and Kate for Tuesday's Recipe Swap
Handmade Tuesday's with Kristen
Let's be Friends Blog Hop with The Dwelling Tree or Southern Beauty Guide

Signature
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12 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh that first chickpea salad looks so good and colorful and then you shared the game day stuff and my mouth started watering!! I can't get over all the orange and blue cuteness Brody will be wearing!

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  2. Definitely going to try that salad out soon! I love to cheat and buy the pre-cut butternut squash. PS - Go Cocks!! :)

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  3. Oh I love all the festive decor and those recipes look so good! That salad looks great, I need to eat a little better now that I'm feeling good. I've never seen that Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pull recipe before! Also so glad you shared those cute baby boy outfits!! I've already been scouring Etsy for little gator shortalls/jon jons :) Thanks for linking up and go Gators!

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  4. ohhh I want to make that mexi dip! it looks SO good! xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  5. That salad looks so good!! I've been wanting to buy a jar of tahini to make my own hummus but it's pretty expensive so now I have another excuse to buy it! The mexi corn dip has been floating around on Pinterest and it looks delish! The football beers are too cute!

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  6. OMG so many good food options!!! I love those football beers, so cute! I'm not a Gator fan but I am going to the UF/UK game in a few weeks! However I bleed black and gold :) GO KNIGHTS!

    <3, Pamela
    sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com

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  7. those football beers are precious!! i love all things football related. we made something similar with the mexi corn dip - it's delish!

    xo, amanda @ as the wine cork turns

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  8. LOVE butternut squash! Can't wait to try this recipe out!

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  9. That salad looks delish and all that football party food YUM!!!

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  10. Anything with butternut squash and I'm in! I seriously can't wait for fall just so I can have roasted vegetables at every meal.. yum!!

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  11. Yumm!! I am going to try making this this weekend!

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  12. As much as it pains me that you're a gator fan, I'm looking past it to focus on those delicious appetizers! It's 9 AM and I'd love just about any of those right now!

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