Plenty #13: The Ultimate New Mom’s Cookbook

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As you might expect, we’d never settle for a cookbook that asks us to sacrifice the satisfying or substantial to achieve our family dietary priorities. Thankfully, The Ultimate New Mom’s Cookbook, by Aurora Satler, doesn’t leave taste buds or tummies, big or small, wanting.

We have arrived at Episode #13. It’s good having you here, knowing we have Plenty in store for you. This podcast released a few days into Autumn, September 26, 2018. Like a lot of these episodes, though, the information and interview will be fresh and helpful long, long into the future.

We spoke this week with author Aurora Satler, author The Ultimate New Mom’s Cookbook just out from Page Street Publishing. Aurora has a solid background in food, writing, and more than a little experience being a new mom, and she really combines those ingredients into a must have volume in the kitchen. I should add, too, that this cookbook is all about cooking for the whole family, so you’ll find yourself going back to revisit these recipes for years to come.

Aurora has generously shared her recipe for her crowd-pleasing Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese. I happen to have a few gorgeous butternut squashes out in the garden right now that are >this< close to being ripe, and now I KNOW what I have planned for them. Look below for the recipe!

She’s a fascinating foodie, so let’s not waste any time getting to our conversation with Aurora Satler, right here on Plenty.

I can’t wait to find out what’s next out of Aurora’s typewriter. She hinted that she might be write chronologically, tackling a toddler book as a sequel, but I’ll be pretty excited about any culinary roadmaps she cares to draw for us.

You’ll also definitely want to read more about Aurora and follow the link to her blog, where she offers even more great ideas for feeding a growing family. Just go to greylockglass.com and look for the link to Episode 13.

I’ve been your host, Jason Velazquez, and I look forward to inviting you over again for a mouthwatering episode of Plenty.

Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese

Serves 8-10
Freezer Friendly

This is a meal the whole family will love. Perfectly suited for young children and adults, with the benefit of added vegetables, this Mac n’ Cheese is sure to please.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter, softened
2 lbs. pasta (I chose penne)
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced (4 cups diced)
2 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons Dijon
2 cups grated Gruyere cheese, or substitute equal parts cheddar
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 cup whole milk
¾ cup Greek yogurt
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

Topping:
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup cheddar
1 cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400F and grease two 8 x 8 inch baking dishes with a small amount of butter. In a large pot bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions.

In a medium stockpot bring squash and stock to a boil. Cover and cook 15 minutes until squash is tender. Puree until completely smooth with an immersion blender.

Once squash is blended, remove from heat and add in Dijon and cheeses. Stir until melted and then add in milk and Greek yogurt.

Stir your creamy base until smooth and season. Toss pasta with squash and cheese sauce in the large pot. Mix thoroughly and spoon with a spatula into prepared baking dishes.

In a small bowl mix topping ingredients, then sprinkle over the top. Bake 20-25 minutes until bubbling. Serve warm.

To learn more about Aurora Satler and The Ultimate New Mom’s Cookbook, head to aurorasatler.com!

Recipe from The Ultimate New Mom’s Cookbook by Aurora Satler, Page Street Publishing Co. 2018.