Like with rice but instead…Farro! This recipe is super creamy, slightly sweet, and absolutely stunning color.
This easy farro risotto is a go-to quick dinner recipe in the autumn when butternut squash is in season.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
These two ingredients combine to create a warm and cozy simple ingredient farro creamy risotto. The whole-grain farro is nutty and chewy and the butternut squash is slightly sweet, yet savory, and the entire dish is oh-so-creamy.
Below I will guide you through the key ingredients for this dish, how to make it, and some tidbits about the fantastic cold weather veggie, butternut squash.
Ingredients
Skip the arborio rice risotto and go for an easy Farro Farrotto!
Farro: I use Semi-Pearled Farro for an easy, convenient, and healthy Farrotto. You could also use pearled or whole grain farro just note, thatthey will have differing cook times. Farro is an ancient grain with a nutty flavor and chewy texture.
Butternut Squash: If you don’t have butternut squash, honey nut squash or acorn squash works. In a pinch, you can even use a can of pumpkin!
Onions & Garlic: These ingredients add depth of flavors and textures.
Jalapenos: The jalapenos give this risotto a lovely yet subtle kick. You can use any other spicy pepper of choice or in a pinch, swap for a tbsp of red pepper flakes.
Half & Half: I enjoy including half and half because it aids in creating a silky smooth and creamy sauce—the option to swap the half and a half for whole milk, heavy cream, or coconut milk.
Crispy Herb Topping: In addition to many other recipes, this topper is fantastic on this Butternut Squash Farro Risotto. Comprised of butter, fresh sage leaves, and cilantro it is a garnish that elevates the meal. Alternatively, you could use fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, or basil.
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
Optional add-ins: Nutritional Yeast (for extra protein), white wine, parmesan cheese or vegan parmesan, fried shallots, frozen peas, chopped greens, or wild mushrooms.
Step By Step Instructions on How to Make Spicy Butternut Squash Farro Farrotto
Roasting The Butternut Squash
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut the butternut squash in half (peeled or unpeeled). Remove the stem and seeds. Dice the squash into evenly-sized 1-inch pieces.
Evenly place squash over a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to ensure the squash is evenly coated. Roast the squash for 30 to 35min, flipping halfway to ensure even roasting.
Once the butternut squash finishes cooking, add it and 1 cup of water (option to use vegetable broth or chicken stock) to a blender or food processor and blend until the squash is smooth. You could also use an immersion blender (hand blender) for blending.
Set the butternut squash mixture aside this is your cooking liquid.
Note: It is possible to prep the squash 1 to 2 days in advance.
Cooking Farrotto
Turn the stove top burner to medium-high heat and heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot. Add onion and saute for 3 to 5 min.
Adjust the stove to medium-low heat (to prevent garlic from burning) and add garlic and jalapeno. Continue to sauté for another 3 to 5 min.
Add rinsed farro, butternut squash mixture, half and half, salt, and pepper to the Dutch oven. Continue to cook on low heat for 30 to 60 minutes. Stir the farro risotto occasionally (approx. every 10 min) to prevent sticking or burning.
Taste the Farro as you cook starting at 30min to check for doneness. The farro should be chewy yet tender.
Crispy Herb Topping
While the Butternut Squash Farro Risotto is cooking, add olive oil to a sautee pan on medium heat. Add herbs and crisp for 3 to 5 min.
Set aside and sprinkle the crispy herb topping over the risotto before serving.
How To Enjoy This Dish
I like to make this farro risotto recipe with leftover butternut squash soup during the autumn and winter months. It is a great way to use leftovers to make a comforting farro risotto. Below are my favorite ways to serve this dish.
A way to use up leftover Butternut Squash Soup
As a warm and comforting main dish for a lighter meal
As a side dish to baked chicken or tofu
As the main course paired with a salad with frozen peas, nutritional yeast mixed in and topped with vegan parmesan for a delicious vegan dinner.
FAQ (Ask A Dietitian!)
What is Farro?
Farro is a hearty whole grain that has been cultivated for millennia. Farro is known for its nutty flavor and chewy texture. It can be used in Farrotto’s, soups, stews, salads, and grain bowls.
It can be found in stores or online as a whole, pearled, or semi-pearled farro. For this recipe, I used Semi-pearled Farro. Note, the different types of farro have different cook times due to the varying amounts of bran and germ layers present on the grains.
What is Butternut Squash?
This 2 to 3-pound veggie is a type of winter squash. This veggie is related to pumpkins, tastes slightly sweet, and nutty, and can be cooked into a variety of dishes.
How Do You Cook Butternut Squash?
Butternut squash is marvelous in risotto, soups, salads, and sandwiches, among many other dishes. It can also be interchanged with most other winter squash varietals (except for spaghetti squash).
Did you know?! You can eat the skin of butternut squash? That makes preparation that much easier!
There are several ways to cook butternut squash.
These include:
Roasting
Boiling/Steaming
Microwaving
You can also use your air fryer and pressure cooker to cook butternut squash.
Enjoy This Recipe? Check Out Some Other Fall Favorites!
This easy Butternut Squash Farro Risotto recipe is creamy, buttery, and perfect for autumn and winter nights. Pair this with your favorite protein for a cozy balanced meal.
Cut the butternut squash in half (peeled or unpeeled). Remove the stem and seeds. Dice the squash into evenly-sized 1-inch pieces.
Evenly place squash over a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to ensure the squash is evenly coated. Roast the squash for 30 to 35min, flipping halfway to ensure even roasting.
Once the butternut squash finishes cooking, add it and 1 cup of water (option to use vegetable broth or chicken stock) to a blender or food processor and blend until the squash is smooth. You could also use an immersion blender (hand blender) for blending.
Set the butternut squash mixture aside this is your cooking liquid.Note: It is possible to prep the squash 1 to 2 days in advance.
Cooking The Farrotto
Turn the stove top burner to medium-high heat and heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot. Add onion and saute for 3 to 5 min.
Adjust the stove to medium-low heat (to prevent garlic from burning) and add garlic and jalapeno. Continue to sauté for another 3 to 5 min.
Add rinsed farro, butternut squash mixture, half and half, salt, and pepper to the Dutch oven. Continue to cook on low heat for 30 to 60 minutes. Stir the farro risotto occasionally (approx. every 10 min) to prevent sticking or burning.
Taste the Farro as you cook starting at 30min to check for doneness. The farro should be chewy yet tender.
Crispy Herb Topping
While the Butternut Squash Farro Risotto is cooking, add olive oil to a sautee pan on medium heat. Add herbs and crisp for 3 to 5 min.
Set aside and sprinkle the crispy herb topping over the risotto before serving.
Learn all about how to make Copycat Panera Green Smoothie recipe at home!
Why leave the house when you can make Panera Bread Green Juice Smoothie right in the comfort of your own home!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
There are many reasons why you will love to make this recipe.
Saves Money: Making your own smoothie’s are more economical and you can tweak the ingredients to make it a smoothie with more whole fruits and less added sugars.
Healthy: Not only is this smoothie a delicious breakfast but it’s a great way to bump up your fruit and veggie intake.
Simple & Easy: But most important of all, you can create a delicious smoothie with only a handful of ingredients and you don’t need to add things like cottage cheese, beets, or wheat grass to make the drink “healthy”.
Make your smoothies healthy and delicious without adding too many ingredients! Many people feel the need to include like 10 vegetables to amp up the nutrition. In my opinion, you’ll end up with chunky, salad-tasting soup. In the case of these flavorful drinks, less is more. And you can always eat some cottage cheese with pickled beets and fresh cracked pepper as a snack later! It doesn’t need to be added to this smoothie.
Tools
High-powered blender – I use a Vitamix
Ingredients
Greens – Use spinach, baby spinach, or kale. You could include your favorite greens powder to this step or swap the greens for greens powder.
Mango – I prefer to use frozen mango however mango puree or ripe mango could work too.
Peaches – I prefer frozen
Passion Fruit Juice Cocktail – For tips on how to find passion fruit juice check out my FAQ section, for this ingredient might not be readily available at your local grocery store. This ingredient adds tropical vibes.
Water
Optional: Banana, Coconut Water, White Grape Juice, Honey or Maple syrup, Protein Powder or Collagen!
Step By Step Instructions
Prepare Your Ingredients:
Wash the fresh spinach leaves thoroughly.
Ensure your frozen mango and peach slices are ready to use. You can use fresh fruit if you prefer, but frozen fruit helps create a thicker, colder smoothie.
Add Ingredients to Blender
Place the fresh spinach leaves, frozen mango and peach chunks, passion fruit juice, and (or water) to the blender. For a sweeter smoothie option to swap out the water for white grape juice.
Optional Additions:
If you’d like a creamier texture, add half a banana.
For a sweeter taste, add a tablespoon of honey.
For added protein add unflavored plant-based or whey protein powder. I prefer to include a scoop of collagen powder.
Blend the Ingredients:
Start blending at a low speed to break down the spinach and frozen fruits.
Gradually increase the speed to high and blend until the smoothie is smooth and well-mixed.
If the smoothie is too thick, add a bit more juice or water to reach your desired consistency.
Taste and Enjoy:
A very important step, taste the smoothie and adjust the sweetness or consistency if needed. Add more juice, sweetener, or ice as desired. Serve in your favorite smoothie glass and enjoy!
Smoothie Making Tips
Below are some of my favorite smoothie making tips.
Add protein! For a more filling smoothie add protein. Some of my favorite add ins include Greek Yogurt, protein powder, and nut butter.
Got Leftovers? Make Smoothie Pops! Another refreshing take on this recipe is to make a smoothie pop! Not only is this recipe a nutritious smoothie and refreshing beverage, but it is also a nutritious Popsicle.
Taste and Adjust. After blending taste your smoothie. Adjust for sweetness and consistency.
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FAQ – Ask a Dietitian!
Where can I buy Passion fruit Juice?
Below are a few passion fruit juice options.
Ceres – 100% Passion Fruit Juice from concentrate – You can purchase Ceres Passion Fruit Juice on Amazon or Shaws, EarthFare, World Market, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Publics, MOM’s Organic Market, Hannaford, Big Y, and Morton Williams The Fresh Marketplace. I purchased some from Amazon. Mine came to me a little beat up but still intact!
Welch’s Passion Fruit Cocktail – This product might be more widely available I found it at Safeway.
Evolution – Tropical Passion Juice (apple, orange, pineapple, carrot, mango, passion fruit, lime). This was also available at my local safeway.
Are Green Smoothies Healthy?
Any food can be a part of a balanced and nutritious diet. That being said, if you eat pepperoni pizza, french fries, and chocolate cake after starting the day with a green smoothie, you are likely consuming too many calories from saturated fat and added sugars.
I enjoy starting my day with a green juice smoothie and I might even include a bit of collagen powder to bump up the protein. Continuing the day with veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins will ensure my day is healthy and balanced. That doesn’t mean I might not indulge in a slice of chocolate cake for my friend’s birthday later that day.
Green Smoothies can balanced diet depending on the other foods consumed during that day and week just like how that slice of chocolate cake can also be apart of a balanced diet. It’s about finding harmony in the healthy foods you eat as well as the decidant treats!
What are some other smoothie ingredients that would taste good in a green smoothie?
Below is a list of some ingredients that would taste good in a green smoothie.
Chia Seeds or Flax seed powder – adds fiber and omega-3 fatty acids
Protein Powder or Collagen – adds protein
Nut or Seed butters – adds flavor, protein and healthy fats
Skim Milk – 8g of protein per 1 cup
Almond Milk – for a lower calorie smoothie, however low calorie also means low protein
Green Veggies – like cucumber, celery, or romaine lettuce
Just this morning I made a variation of this smoothie which included 5oz coconut water 3oz passion fruit juice cocktail, 1/2 cup peaches, 1/2 cup mango, a greens powder, and a scoop of Earth Fed Muscle Collagen!
More Delicious Green Smoothie Recipe Combinations
If you love cold beverages in the heat of summer like I do, you will love these flavor combos for more green smoothies!
Cucumber, spinach, pineapple, apple or pineapple juice, ginger, lemon
Spinach, coconut water, banana, pineapple
Greens Powder, water, lemon, ginger, mango or pineapple
What other ingredients do you think taste good in a green smoothie?!
This Copycat Panera Green Smoothie Recipe has passion fruit juice, peaches, mango, and greens! It is refreshing and full of protein and micronutrients, you will love adding this smoothie to your daily routine.
Wash the fresh spinach leaves thoroughly.Ensure your frozen mango and peach slices are ready to use. You can use fresh fruit if you prefer, but frozen fruit helps create a thicker, colder smoothie.
Add Ingredients to Blender
Place the fresh spinach leaves, frozen mango and peach chunks, passion fruit juice, and (or water) to the blender. For a sweeter smoothie option to swap out the water for white grape juice.
Optional Additions
If you'd like a creamier texture, add half a banana.For a sweeter taste, add a tablespoon of honey.For added protein add unflavored plant-based or whey protein powder. I prefer to include a scoop of collagen powder.
Blend the Ingredients:
Start blending at a low speed to break down the spinach and frozen fruits. Gradually increase the speed to high and blend until the smoothie is smooth and well-mixed.If the smoothie is too thick, add a bit more juice or water to reach your desired consistency.
Taste and Enjoy:
A very important step, taste the smoothie and adjust the sweetness or consistency if needed. Add more juice, sweetener, or ice as desired. Serve in your favorite smoothie glass and enjoy!
When summer calls for light and effortless meals, this simple salad is your go-to: ripe local tomatoes, fresh aromatic basil, sweet and creamy burrata cheese, all topped with peppery, locally grown microgreens.
Consider topping the dish with some balsamic pickled red onion. Additionally, you can swap out the burrata for ricotta, andavocado, or go for the classic caprese salad with mozzarella.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This vibrant, fresh, and flavorful recipe is incredibly versatile. You can use different tomato varieties such as sliced Beefsteak, Brandywine, or halved cherry tomatoes.
You can enjoy this Burrata Caprese as an appetizer or a light, summery meal, paired with cooked quinoa, pasta, or fresh crusty bread.
Ingredients
For this recipe, all you need are 5 simple ingredients!
Burrata Cheese: A simple twist on the traditional caprese salad is a ball of burrata. You can find this cheese at many grocery stores.
Fresh Tomatoes: I’m using cherry tomatoes in this recipe but during tomato season use whatever ripe tomatoes you like. Some other fresh summer tomatoes you could use include thick slices of juicy heirloom tomatoes, quartered grape tomatoes, or even Roma tomatoes.
Fresh Basil Leaves: Fresh and fragrant basil ensures lots of flavor.
Good Olive Oil: I use a quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil such as Graza.
Kosher Salt
Optional Ingredients: Microgreens, pickled onions, a sweet balsamic glaze, and black pepper.
Step By Step Instructions
Prepare Burrata: Place the burrata cheese on a serving platter.
Prepare Tomatoes: Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes around the burrata on the platter.
Add Fresh Basil: Sprinkle the julienned basil leaves over the burrata and tomatoes.
Drizzle with Olive Oil: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the burrata, tomatoes, and basil. The high-quality olive oil enhances the flavors of the dish.
Season with Salt: Sprinkle salt over the burrata and tomatoes to taste.
Serve: Serve the Burrata Caprese immediately. This dish is best enjoyed when the burrata is fresh and creamy. Use a knife to cut into the burrata, allowing the creamy center to ooze out and mingle with the tomatoes, basil, and other flavors on the plate.
FAQ (Ask A Dietitian!)
What is Burrata
Burrata is an Italian cheese known for its rich and creamy texture. It is made of cow’s milk, however it can also be made with Buffalo milk.
Burrata has a milky, buttery taste with a hint of sweetness and a soft, luxurious, and creamy texture.
It is excellent in salads, served with some crust bread, spooned alongside grilled veggies, or even a topping for pasta and pizza!
Why is it called Caprese
The Caprese Salad is named after the island of Capri a region in Italy. The traditional ingredients include tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and salt. These ingredients are readily available in that region.
The fresh, high-quality ingredients are a big component of Italian Cuisine the minimal preparation allows the ingredients to shine.
More Recipe Ideas
You can get creative with a classic caprese salad. Let your taste buds guide you for it is a matter of personal preference how you enjoy your caprese salad.
Besides the juicy tomatoes, you can include fresh peaches or salad greens. Below are some ways I like to enjoy this salad.
An appetizer for a dinner party.
A simple recipe for a light lunch.
The perfect summer salad with dinner paired with some grilled chicken or fish and some crusty bread or roasted potatoes.
More Tips
Below are some tips when considering this salad this summer!
Think Local Fresh Tomatoes: This recipe shines when tomatoes are as fresh as possible. I especially love this recipe when I’m swimming in my homegrown garden tomatoes.
Season Well: This recipe is excellent when you season the tomatoes with either flaky sea salt or kosher salt to taste. I also enjoy a bit of cracked black pepper to enhance the natural flavors in the ingredients.
Serve Immediately: I am all for that easy recipe that can be made in advance for even easier dinner preparations, however, this recipe is best served right after it is made.
Enjoy The Beautiful Colors: This is a beautiful salad to make with all its layers, colors, textures, and shapes, this salad is truly a work of art. Feel free to snap a picture and appreciate its beauty before diving in!
3tbspextra virgin olive oil (adjust amount per preference)
½tspkosher salt
Optional: Top with cracked black pepper, balsamic pickled onions, or microgreens
Instructions
Prepare Burrata
Place the burrata cheese on a serving platter.
Prepare Tomatoes
Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes around the burrata on the platter.
Add Fresh Basil
Sprinkle the julienned basil leaves over the burrata and tomatoes.
Drizzle with Olive Oil
Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the burrata, tomatoes, and basil. The high-quality olive oil enhances the flavors of the dish.
Season with Salt
Sprinkle salt over the burrata and tomatoes to taste.
Serve & Enjoy
Serve the Burrata Caprese immediately. This dish is best enjoyed when the burrata is fresh and creamy. Use a knife to cut into the burrata, allowing the creamy center to ooze out and mingle with the tomatoes, basil, and other flavors on the plate.
Autumn and Wintertime: Perfect for Quick Acorn Squash Recipes
This Quick Acorn Squash Recipe with Cranberries and Quinoa is the perfect easy side dish for your next Holiday meal and it is one of my favorite quick acorn squash recipes. It’s simple with a complex flavor, savory yet sweet, and deliciously healthy.
Adding veggies to a Thanksgiving plate is my favorite way to bump up my nutrition around the holidays. Packed with color, flavor, and warm nutrition, this autumn and winter side dish will be among the dishes for which you want seconds.
So, whether you are enjoying this quick Acorn Squash recipe for the holidays or as a compliment to a weeknight meal (perhaps with some crispy baked tofu or chicken), this roasted salad is everything you need to fill your belly and bring a smile to your face.
Tools Needed For This Recipe
Sharp Knife
Cutting Board
Baking Sheet
Medium saucepan
Sautee or saucepan
For Serving
Large Serving Bowl
Large Spoon or tongs
The Ingredients For This Easy and Quick Acorn Squash Recipe
Acorn Squash: For this recipe, take one whole acorn squash remove the seeds, and slice it up into squash halves. I love the colors the squash brings to this dish. There is no need to peel your acorn squash, I love to keep the dark green skin on! Don’t have acorn squash? You can play around with different other squash varieties such as butternut squash, delicata squash, or even spaghetti squash.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts: This recipe calls for about 1 lb of Brussels sprouts, equal to 4 to 5 cups or 15 whole Brussels sprouts. I like the Brussels sprouts roasted in the oven with the acorn squash; however, you can also eat your Brussels sprouts raw and shaved.
Dried Cranberries: You can use as much or as little dried cranberries as you please. This is true for all the ingredients but especially for the dried cranberries. I used ⅓ cup of sweetened dried cranberries. I enjoy not only the sweet and tart chewy notes but also the deep red color.
Quinoa: I like to use red quinoa in this recipe or I’ll make quinoa crisps if I’m feeling extra!
The quinoa crisps topping is like nothing you’ve ever tasted over a salad. I love the nutty crunch they bring to the salad and the nutritional benefits! Learn how to make it in this video by Simply Quinoa.
Agrodolce: Agrodolce is a great way to add lots of flavor to a warm autumn or winter salad. It is a sticky, tart-sweet condiment often served with veggies. The red onion, honey, and herbs add complexity to this agrodolce. If you do not have honey, a little brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup are good substitutes.
I chose Agrodolce as my dressing for this quick acorn squash recipe because it is full of flavor, sweetness, and tang. It pairs well as a sauce for many dishes this time of year. For more garlicky flavor, add a couple gloves of garlic, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder.
Bon Appetit has a lovely Winter Squash Agrodolce recipe from their November 2015 Issue if you want to see how to use agrodolce in other recipes.
Optional – Cheese: Optional to include a bit of parmasean cheese, feta, or goat cheese in this recipe.
Step-By-Step Instructions For This Quick Acorn Squash Recipe
Note that you can make the quinoa and the Agrodolce in advance.
Before you build the salad, there are three steps to follow. First, roast veggies, then prepare the quinoa and while that cooks whip up the agrodolce.
Roasted Veggies
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place thick slices of squash and shaved Brussels sprouts in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over the vegetables and rub it in using your hands.
Sprinkle salt and black pepper overtop.
Roast for 30 to 40 min in the oven, turning vegetables halfway through roasting.
While roasting the veggies make the agrodolce and cook the quinoa.
Cook Quinoa
I like to use plain ole’ cooked quinoa cooked with a little butter or olive oil. However, you can make this with Quinoa crisps! Check out this video by Simply Quinoa for a deep dive into how to make it.
While the squash is roasting, bring 2 cups of water or vegetable broth and 1 tbsp olive oil to a boil in a medium saucepan.
Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Agrodolce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the red wine vinegar and honey (or maple syrup).
Add the avocado oil, rosemary, thyme, and red onion to the pan and saute for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
Add red pepper flakes, and continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes.
Turn the heat off, and add salt and black pepper.
Assemble the Salad
Add roasted squash slices and Brussels to a large bowl. Add cooked quinoa and cranberries.
Drizzle half of the agrodolce over the salad. Reserve the remaining agrodolce for those who like more dressing drizzled over their salads, or continue adding tbsp by tbsp until you reach your desired amount.
Serve warm with a large spoon or serving tongs.
FAQ – Acorn Squash
How to Store This Quick Acorn Squash Recipe
Store this recipe in an airtight container or even a covered container with plastic wrap or foil will do, in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Where to Find Acorn Squash?
Acorn squash is among many of the fall favorites located in most grocery stores or at the farmers market.
How to Choose An Acorn Squash
Look for a squash that is mostly a deep green color, too much orange can indicate the squash is too ripe.
Look for skin that is firm, dull, and smooth, and its a bit heavy for it size indicating it is full of moisture and not dried out.
You also want the stem to be dried indicating it has been picked at the correct time.
How to Serve this Quick Acorn Squash Recipe
There are many different ways to serve this recipe this holiday season, here are a few!
A light main course topped with pork chops or tofu.
A nutritious side dish accompanied by sweet potatoes and roasted chicken.
In a grain bowl add in with whole grains such as farro, wild rice, or more cooked quinoa.
Enjoy This Quick Acorn Squash Recipe? Check Out These Salad Recipes!
1lbsbrussel sprouts, shavedabout 4 to 5 cups - see recipe note
1acorn squash, seeds removed and slicedabout 3 cups - see recipe note
¼cupolive oilor avocado or algae oil
½tspkosher salt
¼tspblack pepper
⅓cupdried cranberries
Agrodolce - see recipe note
¼cupapple cider vinegar
2tbsphoney
2tbspolive oil
1red onion
1sprigrosemary
2sprigsthyme
1tspred chili flakes optional
¼tspkosher salt
⅛tsp black pepper
Instructions
Roasted Vegetables
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Place thick slices of squash and shaved Brussels sprouts in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over the vegetables and rub it in using your hands.
Drizzle the avocado oil over vegetables and rub it in using your hands. Sprinkle salt and pepper over top.
Sprinkle salt and black pepper overtop.
Roast for 30 to 40 min in the oven, turning vegetables halfway through roasting.
While roasting the veggies make the agrodolce and cook the quinoa.
Cook Quinoa
While the squash is roasting, bring 2 cups of water or vegetable broth and 1 tbsp olive oil to a boil in a medium saucepan.
Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Agrodolce with Red Onion
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the red wine vinegar and honey (or maple syrup).
Add the avocado oil, rosemary, thyme, and red onion to the pan and saute for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
Add red pepper flakes, and continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes.
Turn the heat off, and add salt and black pepper.
Assemble the Salad
Add roasted squash slices and Brussels to a large bowl. Add cooked quinoa and cranberries.
Drizzle half of the agrodolce over the salad. Reserve the remaining agrodolce for those who like more dressing drizzled over their salads, or continue adding tbsp by tbsp until you reach your desired amount.
Serve warm with a large spoon or serving tongs.
Notes
Here is a video on how to shave brussel sprouts using a knife, start video at 0:55. Also to note, 1lbs of brussel sprouts is equal to about 5 cups or 15 whole brussel sprouts. Here is a video on how to slice acorn squash. Here is an article by Food52 on how to make Quinoa Crisps if you don't have quinoa crisps option to use something else crispy and crunchy like nuts, seeds, or croutons. For the Agrodolce, you can use 100% of it tossed over your salad. However, to start, use about half then add per your tasting preferences!
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Easy Jammy Soft Boiled Eggs in Air Fryer
Have you ever tried an air fried egg?! Soft Boiled Eggs in Air Fryer are one of my favorite easy breakfasts for the weekend or weekday! The air fryer egg has firm whites and a jammy yolk for the best part of your morning.
Air fryers offer a convenient method for preparing soft-boiled eggs, resulting in delightfully runny, jammy eggs and firm egg whites.
I prefer this method vs stove top, oven baked, or instant pot eggs because it is the simplest and quickest method to making the perfect egg.
So if you want a quick breakfast, lunch, or snack weekly meal prep, cooking eggs never felt easier. Below, I will guide you through my easy method and your new favortie wat to make the perfect soft-boiled eggs in the air fryer.
Why You Will Love Making Air Fryer Soft Boiled Eggs
Quick: I use the air fryer as a quicker approach to cooking when compared to traditional stovetop methods. I appreciate the extra free time in the morning to sip and enjoy my coffee!
Consistent: Air Fryers provide consistency when cooking. I like to cook my eggs for 12 minutes for my preferred level of doneness. I like that super jammy consistency. However, like your eggs, a bit more firm, cook them a bit longer. You will have consistent results every time.
Easy: Why are these easy air fryer eggs? The cleanup is super easy. When air frying, you use removable baskets or trays, and they don’t require much cleanup.
Protein Punch: Eggs are an excellent source of protein containing all 9 essential amino acids. They are a good source of vitamins A, B2, B12, D, and E. They contain iron, phosphorous, and selenium. And Eggs are a cost-effective source of nutrition!
Preheat your air fryer to 250°F. This lower temperature helps to achieve a softer texture in the eggs.
Prepare the Eggs:
Gently place the eggs in the air fryer basket. You can cook as many eggs as your air fryer can accommodate in a single layer.
Air Fry:
Cook at 250°F for 12-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. Keep in mind that air fryers can vary, so you may need to adjust the time accordingly. For a soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk, 12 minutes is probably sufficient.
Cool the Eggs:
Once the eggs are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spoon.
Place the eggs in a big bowl with lots of water and ice cubes also caled an ice bath for eggs!
Peel the Eggs:
I have found that the easiest way to peel the eggs is to gently tap each egg on a hard surface to crack the shell, then peel away the shell. I like to use an egg cracker to help with this. Then use the ice water bath to make the peeling process easier. Just submerge the egg in the cold water when peeling. You can even discard the shell right there in the water. Then toss it in your compost!
Season and Serve:
Season the soft-boiled eggs with salt and pepper or your favorite seasonings.
Serve them as they are on busy mornings or serve them the following ways!
with toast for dippy eggs
along side some air fryer hash browns
sliced over some avocado toast with lots of fresh herbs and a sprinkling of everything bagel seasoning
a topping for your favorite bowl of ramen
served over top your favorite cobb salad recipe
Soft-cooked eggs from the air fryer are versatile and can be incorporated into a variety of recipes! If serving the eggs in the shell in a holder, just crack the top of the shell and remove the top. To eat the egg use a small spoon or an egg spoon to scoop inside the shell. This is my personal favorite way to enjoy these spft cooked eggs.
FAQ (Ask a Dietitian!)
Can you use an air fryer to make medium and hard-cooked eggs?
Yes! For medium cooked eggs cook at 250°F for 15-18 min. For hard-cooked eggs, the same temperature but for 20-25 minutes.
How long to air fry eggs at 300°F?
The higher temperature means the eggs will cook faster. You can cook them for 8-12 minutes. You might need to test this a couple of times to see what temperature works best for your air fryer.
Enjoying this recipe? Check Out These Other Delicious Breakfast Faves!
Preheat your air fryer to 250°F. This lower temperature helps to achieve a softer texture in the eggs.
Prepare the Eggs
Gently place the eggs in the air fryer basket. You can cook as many eggs as your air fryer can accommodate in a single layer.
Air Fry
Cook at 250°F for 12-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. Keep in mind that air fryers can vary, so you may need to adjust the time accordingly. For a soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk, 12 minutes is probably sufficient.
Cool the Eggs
Once the eggs are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spoon.
Place the eggs in an ice bath or run them under cold tap water to cool down quickly and stop the cooking process.
Peel the Eggs
Gently tap each egg on a hard surface to crack the shell, then peel away the shell. I like to use an egg cracker to help with this. Then use the ice water bath to make the peeling process easier. Just submerge the egg in the cold water when peeling. You can even discard the shell right there in the water. Then toss it in your compost!
Season and Serve
Season the soft-boiled eggs with salt and pepper or your favorite seasonings. Serve them as they are for breakfast, with toast for dippy eggs, or sliced over some avocado toast!
Soft-cooked eggs from the air fryer are versatile and can be incorporated into a variety of recipes! If serving the eggs in the shell in a holder, just crack the top of the shell and remove the top. To eat the egg use a small spoon or an egg spoon to scoop inside the shell.
This Black Bean and Mango Salad is one of many bean salads I love to make! They are perfect for an easy weekday meal andmeal prepping, and I also like to make them for events!
This Black Bean and Mango Salad can be made at any time of year incorporating whatever is seasonally available.
Are you curious to learn more about how to make this salad more “seasonal”? Then keep on reading! Under the Ingredients section, I discuss ways to bump up this salad with some seasonal produce.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe is quick, easy to throw together, nutritious, and delicious!
Quick and Easy: This is a quick and easy recipe to throw together if you don’t have a lot of time. I love to whip up this colorful salad recipe as an easy salad or dip for game nights. I serve this dip with tortilla chips, like my favorite Juanita chips.
Nutritious and delicious: This delicious salad is also healthy! It is a great source of plant-based protein. Bean salads are one of my go-to meal-prepping summer salads when produce is abundant thanks to those sunny days. Plus, I always have a couple of cans of beans on hand for easy weekday meals for healthy eating.
You can make this a more substantial main dish by adding rice or quinoa. I like to turn this into a black bean quinoa salad.
The Ingredients
Black Beans: I love using black beans. In this Black Bean and Mango Salad, the dark-colored bean beautifully contrasts with the other ingredients.
I also love the taste and mouthfeel of the black beans in this dish. Black beans are a smaller legume, thus making them fit nicely on a chip or a small spoon!
Fresh Mango: Nothing tastes quite like a juicy mango. The mango in this dish adds a sweet yet slightly tart element that brings this salad together as a masterpiece in the mouth.
This salad would taste magnificent with frozen mango chunks or one of my favorite fruits ofsummer, fresh peaches!
Shallot: In this recipe, I enjoy a milder onion in this recipe so minced onion works well. If you don’t have shallots on hand consider leeks or scallions.
Want a stronger oniony flavor profile? Then try yellow, white, or red onions. Onions are a fall/spring crop, but you can get these year-round because they are stored so well.
Fresh Jalapeño Peppers: You’ll find me making bean salads all summer long because I love peppers.
Jalapenos are one of my favorite vegetables. At any given moment you will always find at least 1 plant in my garden. They bring the heat but not too much.
Add more or fewer jalapenos to this recipe or omit them entirely if you can’t take the heat.
Seasonal add-ins:You can make this recipe or add your favorite fresh produce like red bell peppers, tomatoes, corn, red onion, fresh cilantro, and fresh lime juice.
You can also use whatever beans you have on hand such as black beans, kidney beans, or white beans.
The Dressing Ingredients
Rice Wine Vinegar: Rice Wine Vinegar is an ingredient I like to always have on hand. I love how clean and slightly sweet this vinegar tastes.
Some substitutions include champagne, white wine vinegar, distilled vinegar, or even apple cider vinegar.
Olive oil: Olive oil is another staple in my pantry. I like to keep a few varieties of olive oil lying around.
I prefer a bolder olive oil for this Black Bean and Mango Salad Recipe. A bold olive oil means more flavor in the dressing.
Don’t have olive oil? Avocado oil also tastes lovely, especially if you decide to add avocados as an “add-on” ingredient!
Seasonings: For this salad, I kept it simple with dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly cracked pepper. However, as always, season to your liking.
Do you have an herb garden? Use whatever herbs you have growing! Some herbs that would taste lovely include dried or fresh basil, fresh parsley, and even dried or fresh thyme.
Step By Step Instructions for Black Bean Mango Salad
How to Make The Dressing
In a small bowl or mason jar add all the dressing ingredients. Either whisk together or add a lid to your mason jar and shake.
How To Make The Black Bean and Mango Salad
In a large bowl, add all ingredients and combine. That’s it.
Store this Black Bean Mango Salad recipe in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
How to Serve this Black Bean Mango Salad
There are so many ways to dish up this recipe.
Below are some of my favorite ways to serve this Black Bean Salad recipe:
Simply Served as a Dip with corn tortillas
Topper for Tacos topped with diced large avocado pieces and speckled with hot sauce
A great side dish to baked chicken or fish
Spooned over tip cooked quinoa for a Black Bean Mango Quinoa Salad
Learn More About These Flexitarian Faves: Beans, Peas, and Lentils
Did you know?! The Dietary Guidelines for Americans has recommendations for Beans, Peas, and Lentils!
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend adults following a 2,000kcal diet consume three servings (1.5 cups) of cooked beans, peas, and lentils per week. (1)
Today’s research shows, that beans, peas, and lentils are under consumed by most adults, which may contribute to inadequate intakes of nutrients and an unbalanced diet. (1)
Moreover, this Black Bean and Mango Salad recipe is a terrific way to incorporate more beans into the diet.
More About Beans
Beans are a versatile, sustainable, and nutrient-dense food. This is why beans are a staple food in my Flexitarian kitchen.
Now, I’ll review just a few ways beans are 1) versatile, 2) sustainable, and 3) nutrient-dense.
1) Versatile: Beans are versatile in cooking and recipes. Because beans are considered a vegetable and a protein, they pack a punch to any meal.
2) Sustainable: An article published last year in Nutrients showed an increase in bean, lentil, and pea consumption to two portions per week, which could modestly improve the sustainability of diets when replacing meat. (2)
3) Nutrient Dense: Black beans are rich in slowly digested carbohydrates, both soluble and insoluble fiber and are a high protein food. (3) They also have very little fat and zero sugar. In addition to all of that, they are high in many vitamins and minerals, especially Folate, Thiamin, and Iron. (3)
Another neat tidbit about this recipe, the Vitamin C in the Mango and Peppers will help the body better absorb the Iron in the Black beans.
Cool Science!
Like This Black Bean Mango Salad Recipe? Check Out These Amazing Salads Too!
