Butternut Squash

When it comes to 'dieting' I take a my cues from the Italians, save calories before the splurge so Monday thru Wednesday I will eat less for Thanksgiving binge. I typically have a smoothie in the morning everyday but this week I will also do that for lunch and a small meal for dinner. Of course, I am cooking and baking preparing for the feast so I may taste test here and there for snacking or I will have an apple with some parmesan cheese (stolen from the French). I don't know about you but doing a lot of cooking tends to make me less hungry. For dinner tonight I made some roasted butternut squash and it was really good and quite filling.

Italian Roasted Butternut Squash

1 Butternut Squash peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes

2 TBS of Olive Oil (1 for the squash and 1 for saute)

1 1/2 tsp of Kosher Salt

Dash of Fresh Ground Pepper

2 Cloves of Garlic minced

1/2 of French Bread crumbs

1 1/2 tsp Tarragon

1/4 C Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 425

Put diced butternut squash on a roasting pan, drizzle with 1 TBS of olive oil season with kosher salt and pepper.

Roast for 20 minutes, toss the squash after 10 minutes

Saute garlic in the remaining olive oil for 1 minute, you don't want to burn the garlic.

Toss the bread crumbs into the pan with the garlic and saute (toast) for 2 minutes remove and put into a bowl large enough to toss the squash.

Add tarragon and parmesan cheese.

Add squash to the bread crumb mixture and toss until well mixed.

Serve

This is a great side dish even for Thanksgiving that tastes more complicated than it is, but today it was my dinner. My husband HATES butternut sqaush but loved this dish so it is great way to feed picky eaters this power house of nutrition.

Nutritional Facts:

45 calories per serving

High in fiber

High in antioxidants

Vitamin A

Vitamin B complex

Minerals: Zinc, iron, copper, calcium and potassium

NEVER use starvation as a diet it will always backfire on you. My saving calories is not about losing weight just maintaining my current weight. I still have to eat mindfully on Thanksgiving but I will allow myself to eat everthing I want to eat including my homemade bread and pumpkin pie. I just don't have to eat massive amounts, just enough to satisfy my craving and that is part of my Parisian Lifestyle Makeover.