Butternut Tomato Soup

4 c. cooked butternut squash
1 onion, skin removed and cut into large pieces
Drizzle of olive oil or butter
3 c. chicken broth
1 can evaporated milk
1 c. whipping cream or half & half
3 cans diced tomatoes (or fresh)
1/8 t. cayenne pepper 
2 t. salt, to taste
2 T. brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 t. basil
2 t. Italian seasoning
1 t. black pepper

In a large soup pot saute onions in olive oil. While this is coming to heat, add squash to pan. Continue to cook for awhile until the onions are even more soft and then add the seasonings, garlic, and the chicken broth. Continue to simmer for a few minutes and then add the canned tomatoes. Let the soup simmer until it is warmed through and the squash has broken down nicely. Blend soup in a food processor or blender to the consistency that you like. Return soup to pan and return to simmering.  Add the evaporated milk and whipping cream. Season the soup to your desired liking (more kick, add cayenne pepper, more sweetness add more brown sugar, more salt, etc.). Serve this soup with grilled cheese sandwiches or warm bread out of the oven. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Waffles

1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ginger
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg*
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and warm

*Grated and lightly packed into the spoon, use 1/2 tsp. Grated and loosely scooped, this is about 1 tsp. of nutmeg. If you have to use pre-grated, dried nutmeg, use 1/4 tsp.

DIRECTIONS

1. Lightly oil the waffle iron with vegetable oil, and set it to the desired temperature.

2. Combine brown sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl. Whisk together to break apart the cornstarch. Add the remaining dry ingredients, and whisk to blend.

3. Separate eggs: yolks go in a medium sized bowl and whites get set aside in a smaller bowl.

4. Add pumpkin and milk to the egg yolks. Whisk to blend and set aside.

5. Whip egg whites with a hand mixer on high, until stiff peaks form, about 1 1/2 – 2 minutes. Set aside.

6. Pour melted butter into the yolk/milk/pumpkin mixture. As you pour, whisk to combine.

7. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix them together until just combined. A little lumpiness is fine. That will smooth out when the egg whites are added.

8. Slide the whipped egg whites out of the bowl and onto the mixture you just prepared. Gently fold them in until no white bits are obvious.

9. Once the waffle iron is heated, you’re ready to pour the batter!