Happy New Year’s Giveaway!

I have loved reading everyone’s New Year’s Goals and blog recaps. It has been very inspiring! My only blog goal is to keep up Mom on the Run and share incredible recipes with all of you I have truly enjoyed sharing a piece of my kitchen with all of you. The comments you leave on a daily basis just motivate me to become a better food blogger. I am also inspired how you all share your healthy living and food with me. I am so glad that I joined this great blogging community.

In 2009, I have found many new products and food finds that have kept my kitchen fresh and new. One of my favorite cookbooks of 2009 has been:

Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients.

I know that this is an older cookbook but it was new in my kitchen this year. I love this cookbook for so many reasons. The #1 is the great tasting food that is made by the many recipes Ina has created. I have not been disappointed by any of the recipes that I have made and I have made a lot. The recipes involve simple food with big flavors. Here is one of my favorite and probably the most talked about dish during Christmas Dinner.

Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash

Ina Garten

Ingredients:

Serves 6

• 1 large butternut squash
• 1 head garlic separated but not peeled
• 2 Tbsp. good olive oil
• 2 1/2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 
• 2 ounces thinly sliced pancetta chopped
• 16 whole fresh sage leaves
• French bread for serving

Preheat oven to 400°. Peel and seed butternut squash and then cut into 3/4- to 1-inch cubes. Place squash and whole unpeeled garlic cloves in a baking dish or sheet pan large enough to hold them all in one layer. Toss with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper, and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until squash begins to brown, turning once during baking.
Sprinkle pancetta and sage leaves evenly over squash and continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until squash and garlic are tender and caramelized. Season to taste and serve hot with French bread for guests to spread with the roasted garlic.

This recipe is to die for! There was not a single cube of butternut squash left after dinner. In fact my dinner guest were disappointed there was not more. I have a feeling this will be on every holiday menu I need to prepare food for. I puffy heart butternut squash!

In celebration of this great recipe and the Mom on the Run Cookbook of 2009 I will be giving away one copy of Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients. I would love to pay it forward in the cooking world and give another home chef the opportunity to cook like the Barefoot Contessa

Here is how to enter:

Please leave a separate comment for each one you complete

1. Leave a comment of who your favorite chef is.

2. Become a Mom on the Run Follower. If you are already one just comment that you are.

3. Add me to your Blogroll or Google reader. If you have already just comment that.

4. Link back to this giveaway on your next post! Three extra entries for that

Happy New Year’s!!! “See” you in 2010!