Butternut Squash Bread Pudding

This comes from the Nov. 2010 issue of Real Simple.  Suggested for Thanksgiving, but I think it's a great all around Fall and Winter side dish.  I might experiement with the squash to bread ratio to make it a little more squashy, but very good original recipe is below.

Ingredients:
2 T olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1 1/2 lb butternut squash, peedled and seeded, and cut into 1/2 in pieces
2 T chopped fresh sage
6 large eggs
2 c. whole milk
3/4 lb. soft french or italian bread, cut into 1" pieces, about 7 1/2 cups
1/2 lb. Gruyere, grated, about 2 cups

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 F.  Spray a 2 1/2 to 3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the onions and cook, stirring often, until beginning to soften, 4 -5 minutes.  Add the squash, season with 1/2 t. salt and 1/4 t. pepper, and cook tossing frequently until just tender, 8-10 minutes more.  Stir in the sage.  Let cool for 10 mins.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and 1/4 t. each salt and pepper.  Add the bread, cheese, and squash mixture. and toss to coat.

Transfer to the prepared baking dish and bake until golden brown and set, 55 to 60 minutes.

Garlicky Black Beans

The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet, that the recipe comes from.  Very easy and delish. 

Ingredients
1 T. olive oil
4 garlic cloves
2 16 oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed (approx 4 cups)
Juice of 1/2-1 lemon
1/4 c. minced fresh cilantro


Directions
1- Heat oil in large saucepan.  Add the garlic and saute over low heat until golden, 1 or 2 mins.
2- Add the beans, 1/2 c. water, and the lemon juice.  Cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.
3- Remove about 3/4 c. of the beans, mash them, and return to the saucepan.  Simmer very gently for another 5 minutes.  Sitr in the cilantro and serve.

Rib Rub by K

My personal blend of spices for a rib rub.  Use about 1T per lb of ribs.  Below are the proportions...

6 sugar
4 paprika
3 kosher salt
2 chili powder
2 black pepper
2 cumin
1 cayenne pepper