Winter Squash Soup with Ginger and Turmeric                 Serves 6-8.
3 pounds squash, baked whole in the oven in a pan of water at 350 degrees for an hour while you putter about, then cooled enough to peel, scoop out, and cut into chunks. Or you can cut your squash into big chunks and steam it.
3 tablespoons of garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 hot chili, minced
1 large apple, cored and chopped
1 tablespoon Sweet Turmeric Masala OR  ¾ teaspoon turmeric, ¾ teaspoon coriander, 1 teaspoon cumin (see note) 
1 thumb sized piece of ginger, grated
6 cups of broth (more if you use a drier squash)
salt and pepper to taste

Peel and seed the squash. Chop roughly and set aside. 

Sauté the onion for 3-5 minutes, then add the fresh ginger and garlic and cook another minute or two. Add the turmeric, coriander, and cumin or the Sweet Turmeric Masala. Cook 30 seconds, stirring. Don’t worry if it sticks to the bottom of the pan, just don’t allow it to burn.

Add the chili and apple and cook 3 minutes. Add the squash and broth. Cover and cook until the squash is very soft, then puree the mixture. A stick blender comes in handy here or you can blend it in batches in a blender. If you use a blender, be very careful, as hot liquids like to explode out of blender lids. Keep a dish towel over the top of the blender. Salt and pepper to taste and serve with a dollop of whole milk yogurt or sour cream.

Note: If you decide to use the cumin and coriander, toast them in a dry skillet until they become aromatic. Allow to cool and grind in a mortar or a spare coffee grinder.

ghee or oil, 1 tablespoon 
garlic, 1-2 tablespoons minced 
onion, 1 medium, chopped 
celery, ½ cup diced
carrot, ½ cup diced  
garam masala, 1 teaspoon 
sweet turmeric masala, 1 teaspoon 
tikka masala, 1 teaspoon
tamarind paste, ¼ teaspoon, mixed into warm water (opt.)
ginger, 1 ½ inches, grated
coconut milk, 8-12 ounces
red lentils, 2 cups
chicken or vegetable stock, or water, 1 quart
spinach, 10-16 ounces
salt to taste

Heat the oil to a shimmer. Sauté the onion on medium heat for 3 minutes. Lower the heat to medium low, add the garlic, and sauté for another minute, then add the carrot, ginger, and celery and cook 3-5 minutes. Add the spices and stir to mix thoroughly for 30 seconds. Add lentils and broth and simmer 20-25 minutes, until lentils are tender. Add more water or broth as needed. Add spinach and cook until tender. Add the coconut milk and bring the soup back up to a lower simmer. Taste, correct salt, and serve.

It's fall here in the Pacific Northwest. All of a sudden, after the hottest summer ever recorded here. The grey and the rain are a welcome blessing. And with that weather comes the desire for soups, puddings, and a move away from the cold, crisp foods of summer. Kheer is perfect for this time.

Kheer - serves 4
1/4 cup arborio or jasmine rice, soaked and rinsed
16 ounces of coconut milk
2-4 tablespoons of sugar (I used 2 1/2)
1+ cup water
a pinch salt
3/4 teaspoon cardamom seeds, ground
1/4 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
2 tablespoon roughly chopped almonds or pistachios (I omitted these this time)

Add the rice, coconut milk, water, and salt to a large-ish saucepan. Cook until rice is still chalky in the middle. Add the sugar and spices. Cover and turn down the heat to low. Check every 5-10 minutes, stirring. If it becomes thick enough for you and the rice isn't cooked through, add a half cup more water.

Serve topped with the chopped nuts, if using, and/or chopped peaches or berries.