Cooking Through W I N T E R *Butternut Squash Ravioli*

I started a little series called 'Cooking through F A L L' in November, but honestly because I am from Southern California, I really didn't make a whole lot of 'cold' weather foods.  I am now re-titling my post to be cooking through winter, since we are now finally experiencing some cold weather. :) #40degress.

I had been looking online for some great butternut squash recipes, since I love butternut squash, and came across a ravioli recipe that sounded perfect.  I hope you can enjoy it as much as my family did!
(This recipe would also be great for a date night for those of you looking for a fun cheap date) :)
Here is the recipe for those wanting to look at those pictures as well.

My beautiful butternut squash

Wonton wrappers with mixture inside

The finished product!

Ingredients:
1 butternut squash (1lb-about 5 cups peeled, seeded and chopped)
1 clove of garlic (peeled and smashed)
28-30 whole wheat wonton wrappers
1/2 cup water

Sauce:
1/4 soy sauce
6 slices ginger (smashed)
1/4 sliced green onions
4 tbl sesame seed oil


Honestly the longest part was pressing the sides of the wonton wrappers together.  The garlic, chopped squash, and water boil for 20 minutes.  Take off stove and mash. Return to stovetop for 3 more minutes stirring constantly and set aside.  Take a tbl of squash mixture and place in the middle of the wrapper and wet all sides with water and your finger.  Take another wrapper wet all sides and press together forming a ravioli style.  (I folded mine so mixture would not come out when being boiled.)  After doing 30 or so, place in separate pot of boiling water for 3-4 minutes and then they are done.  Go ahead and make the sauce and enjoy!

5 Facts About Coffee // Whole Bean, Grounds, Roasters

1. Types of Beans:
1. Arabica: 70% of the world consume Arabica beans.  These beans are mild and aromatic-indigenous to Ethiopia and well known as 'mountain coffee.' This kind of bean is known to be the first discovered species.  (We are still talking coffee people ;) This bean has an overall more pleasant taste due to the 50% less caffeine than the Robusta bean.  
2. Robusta: Commonly known to be indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa-this type of bean  is now found mostly in Vietnam being its biggest exporter.  Robusta coffee has 2.7% caffeine compared to the 1.5% in the Arabica. Because this bean is easier to grow, yields more per plant, and is not susceptible to diseases, it is cheaper.  However, due to its bitter taste, many prefer and uphold the Arabica flavoring. Many coffee companies will put the Robusta in low grade coffee, giving it an extra bitter flavoring.  This coffee is described as strong and full-bodied, with earthy tones.
2. Longevity of Whole Bean
1. Beans are perishable once bag is opened and exposed to air.
2. Keep whole beans in air tight container in cool pantry
3. Refrigerating coffee does NOT extend shelf life.
4. Unopened whole beans are good for 1 year
5. Whole Bean will stay fresh for 21 days
6. Ground coffee stays fresh for 7 days
3. Caffeine vs. Decaf
1. 1 cup of decaf coffee contains roughly the same amount of caffeine in 5 cups of regular.
2. 10 ounces of coffee contains about 200-300 mg of caffeine; which falls under the normal range for caffeine consumption
3. Darker roasts usually contain less caffeine because the roasting process burns off caffeine.
4. Fair Trade Coffee Companies
1. America's Best Coffee Roasting Co.
2. Archer Farms
3. Bear Mountain Coffee
4. Boston Common Coffee Co.
5. Look Here to see if your coffee is fair trade
5. Tools
1. For those with bigger budgets-I recommend This Coffee Machine
2. This Air Tight Coffee Container
3. This Coffee maker is a little more reasonable and super nice

There you have it!  

What things/facts do you know about coffee?  What is your favorite brand? 

Oils and Their Smoke Points

Oils

Smoke Points 

Cold Pressed