Mexican Squash Soup

I sorta invented it as a variation on the other squash soup I posted last year, . .

2 small acorn squash
5 roasted hatch green chilies, stems removed
2 cups chicken broth
2 Tbs oil
1 large onion, diced
1 15oz can black beans
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp seasoning mix (*)
1 lbs chicken breast
1 cup sour cream
shredded cheese

1. Cut the squash in half, remove seeds and bake on a cookie sheet, face up at 350 for an hour or until tender.

2. Scoop squash flesh into food processor (let it cool a bit first or you'll burn your hands) Add green chilis to taste (hint, if you remove the seeds they are not as hot). Add as much of the chicken broth as you need to to puree the mixture

3. Put 1 Tbs oil in the bottom of a heavy bottomed pan. Saute onion until tender. Add the squash-chili puree and the rest of the chicken broth. Drain and rinse the black beans and add them too. Add water as needed for consistency.

4. Add spices and allow to cook over medium heat for 20+ minutes for flavors to meld.

5. Meanwhile, chop the chicken breast into 1/2" cubes. Add 1 Tbs oil to a frying pan and saute chicken (optional, add more spice blend) until done.

6. Just before serving, mix 1 cup sour cream into the soup (or mix individual dollops into each bowl), top the soup with chicken and a sprinkle of cheese.

* I really like this all purpose mix I got in Colorado it's from this place. Supposedly it's salt, toasted onion, black pepper, red bell peppers, garlic, French thyme and Greek oregano.

Blondie Christmas Brownies

12 Tbs butter (1.5 sticks)
1.5 cups dark brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/5 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup Christmas colored M&M's
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1. Brown the butter: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Allow it to bubble and boil approx 1-2 minutes stirring constantly until it turns golden brown - it will turn all of a sudden, so don't ignore it! Add 1 tsp vanilla to the hot butter, and then Allow the butter to cool to lukewarm

2. To the melted butter, add the brown sugar and mix well. Add the eggs, salt and remaining tsp of vanilla and beat well to combine.

3. Add the flour and baking powder and fold in gently until flour is just moistened

4. Add the M&M's and nuts.

5. Place in a greased (spray oil) 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes until done.

love it.