While we don’t post nearly as often as we used to, our kitchens by no means have slowed down. We’ve been making new and old recipes pretty regularly now. Sometimes the kids are on-hand to help, but most of the time they have other things keeping them busy. 
While I’m usually at the sink, stove or counter, the kids are doing their homework, coloring, or just talking with me about their day. When Mike is home, he’ll be in the kitchen with me, helping me chop vegetables or putting dishes away. We have one cat, Chipper, that likes to sit at the stool on the other side of the counter or at the kitchen window so that he can supervise everyone, especially his little brother Hobbs. He much prefers to observe him from above. 
As for Hobbs, he’s either running through the kitchen chasing toys, nipping at my toes and whining to be picked up, or curled up in a little ball on the rug in the center of my work area. I’m fairly certain he’s going to cause me to have accident one of these days. However, more often than not, he’s climbing things he’s not supposed to and having to repeatedly be set back on the floor. He is awful cute though. 
We haven’t made too many international dishes lately; although we do have plans for a new recipe next weekend. I have, however, been teaching Mr. N some kitchen basics. He’s old enough now to learn how to operate the stove, oven and microwave. I’ve even had him make a few meals for he and Miss A all by himself. I just walk him through step-by-step. So far we’ve tackled pasta, shrimp, roasted chickpeas and homemade pizza. We, of course, have had to start with his favorite foods! 
It’s been fun to teach him and spend this time with him. It gives us a few minutes in his busy day that are just ours. I think he enjoys it too. At first he wasn’t too thrilled to have to learn these things, but once I explained to him that someday he might want to cook a special meal for a special girl, he was much more on board. He’s growing up so much! Fortunately for me, those days are still a ways off (whew!), and the only girl he’s cooking for right now is his little sister. And I have to say, she was very impressed that Mr. N made her dinner. She adores him and loves anything he does for her, unless of course he’s made her mad that day, in which case he’s best just steering clear of her six-year old wrath. 
So, the kitchen, it’s still the center of our ever-changing universe. And until Miss A and I get that next international recipe rolling, I thought I’d share with you a dish that Mike and I ate last week. It’s definitely a warm, comforting fall dish loaded with fresh and inviting flavors. It’s an Acorn Squash stuffed with Lemon & Ginger Risotto. 
You can find the recipe here: Lemon Ginger Risotto with Acorn Squash
I roasted the acorn squash while I prepared the risotto. Once both dishes were done, I scooped the risotto into the squash for serving. 
The sharp, fresh taste of the lemon and ginger were a great complement for the nutty flavor of the squash. Mike and I both gave the dish 3 spoons. 
We topped the risotto with toasted walnuts. We didn’t use any Parmesan or cream as we were trying to keep it healthy, but either would be a nice addition as well. Fortunately we made enough risotto to stuff two more squash later in the week. 
The leftover risotto heated well, but this time we tweaked the recipe a bit and added some sauteed spinach to the risotto as well as some mild Italian sausage. We enjoyed this version as much as the first. The spinach added a little lemony bitterness to the dish that to me just completed it perfectly. 
The kids, as many of you know, eat many things, and often many exotic or unusual things. Squash, however, is not one of them. Try as I might, they do not like the sweetness or the texture of the vegetable. In all fairness, I didn’t either until I was in my 20’s, so there’s still hope. Until then, there’s more for Mike and I to enjoy. 
We’ll be back in a bit with Miss A’s international dish. It’s a yeast-based recipe, so goodness knows how we’ll fare. Fortunately, Miss A is better at cooking with yeast than I am, so our odds are better with her in the kitchen. Until then, enjoy your changing seasons and have a great Halloween! More soon. Cheers!
Eat, Play, Love 
This is such a fantastic idea!
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I really love that you teach Mr. N cooking basics. I learned majority of my cooking knowledge from my mom at young age and I still remember and use it. I need to work on my kids too. It’s just everyday it’s so busy, with homework and juggling 3 activities, I don’t have much time to spend the time with the kids in the kitchen. And weekends are for video shooting… But you’ve inspired me so much today! Lemon Ginger Risotto – that’s totally my kind of dish. And you put it in the cute acorn squash! Brilliant! xo
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I missed you international dishes now I cant wait for that yeast based recipe
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Happy Halloween Kristy! Your children are just beautiful and they are getting so big! Wow how time flies… I love that idea of stuffing your acorn squash, brilliant and so beautiful. Your kitties are so cute and playful and very photographic as well or your just fast with camera, one or the other… Take Care, BAM
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I do understand that it isn’t possible right now to post as often as you once did…I’m up against the same constraint! But it’s always a delight to hear from you and the family and I am really impressed that you are really teaching Mr.N to cook independently. He is going to be so happy and one day make a young woman VERY happy. 🙂 I hope they enjoyed their Halloween, Kristy, and that you have a great weekend. I clipped your recipe and put it where I can get to it easily. The acorn squash and risotto holds great appeal. You can tell Miss A I’m looking forward to her yeasted recipe, too. Just the mention of yeast and I already know I’ll love it. 🙂
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So glad to see this post, Kristy, and to see all’s well in your corner of the World. Mom used the same rationale when she taught me to cook when I was a boy. She was almost right. 😉
Love this dish and don’t know which of the two I’d prefer. I guess I’ll just have to try them both. Looking forward to seeing you guys!
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Hi Kristy, The kitchen is where the heart is, and I see alot of love in your kitchen! And so many great memories for your children. Your cats are so sweet; I’ve never been a cat person, but I believe I just fell in love with yours!
I’ve been into roasting and stuffing various squashes lately, I love this recipe. It is very comforting and perfect for a fall meal along with some great leftover ideas!
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Awwww your kitties are so adorable! Hobbs and my cat must be long lost brothers…that’s exactly how my cat acts! But he’s so cute that I can never stay mad at him very long. That risotto sounds divine! Perfect for fall. 🙂
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How lovely that you’re teaching your son to cook and that he’s keen to learn. What a beautiful way to present risotto. Those acorn squash are so pretty. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them here! xx
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The kids are definitely becoming their own people. And before you know it, Mr. N will be making up new recipes that I can’t wait to read about soon.
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I forget how naughty kittens can be, although they are precious and in our home, get away with murder.
Lovely to see Mr N growing more into cooking and how awesome for him to cook for Miss A. Lovely memories being made.
I love your squash risotto mix – sounds like my kind of meal.
Have a beautiful day Kristy.
🙂 Mandy xo
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oh how sweet. I love that they love each other. My boys are best friends too- always wanting to be together. This acorn squash looks amazing! its the perfect fall veggie in my opinion. I just love it
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What a gorgeous recipe Kristy ~ I am smitten by the fall colors and flavors you have going on in this warming risotto and it’s just so beautiful too. Love how you describe the kitchen as the center of your ever-changing universe. That’s precisely what it is… I would just need you to come over and inspire my 16 and 14 year-old boys to cook like Mr. N though ;-). Your furry friends are beyond cute… I don’t think I could ever get mad at either of those precious whiskered faces. Beautiful post Kristy – I love seeing Eat, Play, Love in my inbox ♡.
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Its amazing that Mr N wants to cook how fortunate. Looking forward to
Miss A’s yeast adventure.
The risotto looks fantastic and dressing it with walnuts is a great idea.
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It is always a pleasure getting a post in the mail from you 🙂
My kids only eat squash in one recipe but turn up there noses on it in anything else! Like you, I hope they will learn to appreciate it more when they grow up..
Convincing Mr N to learn cooking to prepare a meal for that special girl some day is bitter sweet, isn’t it! They are indeed growing up fast 🙂
I had to laugh at the “he’s best just steering clear of her six-year old wrath.” It’s the same here, my son is 5 and he loves his sister so much! but when he is mad at her! oh my!
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great photos!
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Beautiful pictures! Looks and sounds so yummy! I will have to try this for the family. 🙂
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Beautiful photos of the kids and the cats too. Acorn and risotto topped with toasted walnuts, great pairing, acorn squash is in season so this is a timely recipe, thanks for sharing.
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What a beautiful dish, perfect for fall! I love squash/pumpkin, and your cats are so sweet looking 🙂
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I don’t care how long it takes for you to blog, notification of a new post from you and your crowd brings me a huge smile, a bright of summer sun to my day… no matter how tired or how cranky I am due to the decreasing average temperature with each passing week.
Great recipe, so stylish and elegant!
wonderful photos all around, kittens included – Buck just passed by like a lightning bolt with his yellow ball stuffed in his mouth – I think he meant to say hello!
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Really beautiful dish Kirsty! I hope you are having a nice fall – and looking forward to some Halloween pictures from you!
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