Squash is high in fibre, vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, potassium and vitamin A, making it an all round healthy fruit. It is in season in the UK between September and January, but it is often imported from the Mediterranean during the summer months.

It is a good fruit for the kitchen as it can go into a lot of dishes. Curry, soup and different bakes are well suited and in Africa it is often baked with nutmeg and cinnamon.

When preparing the squash you must peel off all skin (a good potato peeler is adequate) and remove all the seeds. For this just cut through the middle and scrape out the seeds the a spoon. This will only take a few minutes and shouldn’t put you off using a squash.

When buying a squash it should weigh around a kilo and be quite firm. If you buy one that is substantially more than 1kg they tend not to have as much flavour. If you tap it you should hear a hollow sound and ensure there are no green shades on the skin of the fruit. Some supermarkets sell pre-prepared squash but it is usually better (and cheaper) to prepare it yourself as you’ll get more of the goodness.

If you need to store a butternut squash I wouldn’t put them in the fridge. They can often go a bit mouldy or rot due to the extra moisture. The best place for them would be the place you usually keep your veg – a cool dark cupboard is best. If you are thinking of freezing you will need to peel the skin off and remove the seeds. I would then chop the squash into squares before freezing – or you could make a squash soup and freeze that.

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Putting on the Kettle

In some crock pot recipes, you will see them recommend preparing your pasta as directed on the package. Once it is done, you can add it to the crock pot or you can serve your meal on top of the noodles. This approach works best with meats and sauces, as well as recipes like stroganoff.

Other recipes may suggest that you cook your pasta until it is just a little tender before adding it to the crock pot. The pasta finishes in the pot with the rest of your meal for the last half hour or so. This approach works well with dishes like casseroles, chicken Alfredo, and similar recipes. Because the noodles finish up in with the sauce, they will soak up the flavors and seasonings that have been cooking all day.

It is true that cooking your pasta separately takes more work on your part. Instead of just dishing up, you need to boil the water and cook the noodles. This method does make sure your noodles are just right, but it will not work with every crock pot pasta recipe.

Tossing it in the Pot

You will find some recipes are meant for uncooked pasta. While these recipes mean less work for you, the pasta will still need to be added near the end of the total cooking time. This technique would work well for a chicken noodle soup recipe, goulash or ramen. Most pasta should be added about 30 to 60 minutes before serving. For ramen, it only needs to cook on high for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Finally, there are some recipes that tell you to put the pasta in right at the start. Lasagna is one crock pot dish that must have the noodles put in immediately. Macaroni and cheese is another. If you make this dish, do not expect to leave it cooking all day, however. Most mac and cheese recipes for the crock pot are done in 90 minutes to 2 hours, tops. Stuffed pasta shells and baked ziti are other pasta dishes for the crock pot that must have the pasta added at the beginning. Watch the clock when making this type of dish so your noodles do not get overdone. It will be mushy and shapeless if it cooks too long.

So, pasta can easily be made in the crock pot. You just have to know which approach to take for the best results. Pasta is delicate, and should not be overcooked. Sometimes it takes two or three times to perfect a new recipe.

With a little practice, you will be making wonderful pasta for your family with your handy crock pot. You will be enjoying comforting, hot pasta that tastes terrific and your family will love.

A chicken soup recipe is just the thing when you don’t feel good. It is gentle on the stomach and soothing to the throat. It helps drain the sinuses so you can breathe. This is the best tasting medicine on the planet, so go ahead and eat a large bowl. You’ll feel better sooner.

All you have to do is know what to add to any can of soup to take it from dull to delicious. Check out your leftovers – do you have any veggies in the fridge? Cut up fresh veggies and microwave or saute them, or toss in cooked veggies. You will be surprised by the difference they can make in a simple can of soup

Frozen veggies can work well, too. Take a commercial can of chowder and add some corn, carrots, peas, or green beans out of the freezer bag, then heat as usual. You will notice a real difference in the taste, and you do not have to put in very much more effort.

Leftover meats can work very well in soups, for those who want to make things a little heartier. When you have chicken, a roast, pork, or even seafood, save a few leftovers, then heat them up in the microwave and add right to your soup. Any kind of meat can work well for this as long as you handle it safely.

For those who do not usually have much in the way of meaty leftovers, canned meats can come to the rescue. There are great canned chicken, shrimp, crab, and other meat options out there that can really help you add interest to your soups. It is amazing how easy soup recipes can be.

You do not have to be using meat to turn leftovers into effective soups, either. Try using last night’s lentil pilaf, some leftover rice or barley, or even a handful of noodles in your canned soups to add a little interest. These grain items can be added when you heat up the soup, since they are precooked.

Check out your spices and condiments. Some of them can make a boring soup much more interesting. A sprinkle of garlic salt, basil, oregano, or red pepper could add that flavor you have been looking for. A splash of sherry or wine, or a little bit of an interesting vinegar (balsamic is great) are also excellent options. You can get creative with your options, too. A little bit of soy sauce adds an interesting depth of flavor.

Last, but not least, do not forget about dairy. A little freshly grated cheese can make your soup much tastier, and some soups benefit greatly from a spoonful of sour cream. Do not overdo it, and always add these after heating to prevent separation (to create a cheese soup, you can add grated cheese to a cream soup when heating). You will love the taste that results.

Soup is comfort food. It doesn’t matter if you have a shallow bowl with a rim and a silver spoon, or a big mug held in your lap, soup makes you feel good. Eat it with crackers, croutons, popcorn, fresh bread or a green salad. Soup is a dish that everyone should include in their menu.

Another easy pumpkin soup variation to try is pumpkin and cheese. This is a simple soup you can make using canned pumpkin puree. Simply add in your ingredients like spices, cream, broth, brown sugar and some grated cheddar cheese. Serve this soup with some fresh rolls or melt some grated cheese on top until it is bubbly and delicious.

A further variation on pumpkin soup uses Marsala wine and real maple syrup. The rich flavors combine to create a delicious soup. Always use real maple syrup for this variation. Imitation syrups do not create the same flavors in your soup.

You can also influence your pumpkin soup by changing cuisines. There are pumpkin soups in Thai, Haitian, Mexican and Jamaican cuisines. The common spices of each cuisine make the difference, creating new flavor variations with the pumpkin.

If you want a more exotic flavor to your soup, try pumpkin curry soup. This soup uses a light, aromatic curry that adds a little spice. Stronger curries are not recommended due to the possibility of overwhelming the pumpkin flavor. This soup can be made easily with canned pumpkin at any time of year. It also makes a wonderful appetizer to serve with any meal.

You can also add specialty ingredients to vary your pumpkin soup. Bacon adds a lot of flavor for a savory soup, while chocolate makes a delightful dessert soup. If you like spice, add some peppers, curry or other hot spices to add some zest to your soup. Mix up sausage and peanut butter with your pumpkin soup for a very delicious, distinctive flavor you will not soon forget. This fast recipe can be put together quickly when you do not have much time.

Ingredients you traditionally associate with fall like apples are often added to pumpkin soup. You can use other winter squashes like butternut or acorn in your soup. Even sweet potatoes will add a new twist, adding their own sweetness and texture. Do not be afraid to use herbs to create different flavor blends in your soup. In the hot days of summer, try a chilled pumpkin soup that will help your guests cool down admirably.

No matter what changes you make to your pumpkin soup, you will be eating a delicious, rich soup that will fill you up. The velvety texture feels good in the mouth and the cream gives you a satisfying taste. Even if you do not have a lot of time you can make pumpkin soup. Simply make it in the crockpot and let it cook while you are busy.

When you are looking for the perfect pumpkin soup recipe you would think it would be easy to choose, wouldn’t you? Did you know how many recipes are available for pumpkin soup? You can make it spicy, curried or creamy. You can add ginger, honey mustard or mushrooms. There are so many it is hard to choose!

What Kind of Soup Can You Make?

Almost any kind of soup can be made in a slow cooker. Whether you prefer simpler soups like vegetable beef or lentil soup, or if your favorites include fancier soups like vichyssoise or pot-au-feu, your slow cooker will come in handy. You can even create delicate soups such as trout chowder or crab soup in a slow cooker while you attend to other tasks. If you like ethnic soups like Indian Dal or Italian Wedding soup, they also turn out perfectly in a slow cooker.

It does not matter what your favorite is, you can make it in your slow cooker. Use leftovers or fresh ingredients. If you have a little ham, add it to some navy beans for a delicious bean soup. Likewise, you could add split yellow or green peas and make a wonderful pea soup.

Even soups that seem more complicated, like cheddar cheese or clam chowder, can easily be made in your slow cooker. Whether it is something simple like chicken soup or more complicated, you can make all your favorite soups. Use your favorite ingredients like noodles, dumplings or rice… whichever you prefer.

Something New

Maybe you will want to try a soup you have never tasted before. Trying new dishes is fun! Take a chance and try a new slow cooker soup. Have you ever tried a taco soup? What about cheesy meatball soup or deviled chicken soup? Ever tried a garden cabbage soup? There are many different soups out there just waiting to become your new favorite!

With a bit of inspiration, you can create your own new soup recipes. It can be fun to be creative in the kitchen. The slow cooker lets you make mistakes and your soup will still taste great. You can use tough cuts of meat because the long cooking time will tenderize them. Add some herbs and vegetables to add more depth to your soup. If you like creamy soups, add a little milk or cream at the end of cooking. Your imagination can run free!

Traditional soups like chicken and dumplings, beef noodle and potato soup are great, too. For something a little different, mix up the ingredients a bit. Try adding bacon or ham to your potato soup, or put brown rice in your beef soup. Adding a new twist can be a lot of fun.

You can even press your slow cooker into service after the holidays to make your day after easier. Add leftover turkey from Thanksgiving to the slow cooker to make a delicious turkey soup. Add rice, potatoes, or noodles, whichever you like best. Add in leftover vegetables like peas, squash, carrots, or leftover gravy. You will end up with a new way to enjoy the fruits of your labors from before the big day. Slow cookers are a great way to use up these leftover goodies.

A delicious chicken soup recipe is just the ticket to make your family feel better when they are recovering from a cold or flu. Studies show that simple chicken soup can alleviate symptoms and make people feel better faster. Keep some on hand this winter during cold and flu season.

Ingredients: 6 Potatoes – Red, Peeled and Cubed, 2 (11 oz) Corn – Whole Kernel (Canned), 1/2 Cup Bell Pepper – Green, Chopped, 1/2 Cup Onions – Yellow, Chopped, 1 Tablespoon Seasoning – Red Pepper Flakes, To Taste Seasoning – Salt, 2 Cups Vegetable Broth, 1 (12 oz) Package Tofu.

Cooking Directions:

1. Put potatoes in a pot of salted boiling water. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes; drain.

2. Add corn to the potatoes, bell pepper, onion, red pepper flakes and vegetable broth. Boil for about 15 minutes and remove from heat.

3. In a food processor or blender puree all but 1 1/2 cups of the vegetable and broth mixture with the tofu. Process in batches if necessary. Combine the pureed mixture with the remaining 1 1/2 cups vegetable and broth mixture, and cook over low heat for 5 minutes; do not boil. Season with salt to taste.

This recipe is super simple and once you make it, they’ll be asking you to make it again.

Here is my number 1 tip for making chowders: Always start out with a slice or two of salt-pork. Render it in the soup pot by adding a little water and then browning slowly. When you add your onion and celery with some stock it will deglaze and add tremendous flavor. Keep it in the pot throughout the cooking and remove before serving. It is a MUST, and keeping your remaining salt pork in the freezer will put it at your fingertips throughout the soup season.

Try this awesome corn chowder recipe and eat it with this good chicken marsala recipe.