Butternut Squash & Cranberry Brown Rice

This is a healthy dish for the new year. It can be made with couscous or brown rice.

Ingredients:

4 cups peeled and diced butternut squash
1 Tablespoon + 2 teaspoon olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
5 oz. dried cranberries about 1 cup
2 cups water
2 cups cooked brown rice according to package directions and add in 1 tablespoon oil and salt to taste or 2 cups couscous following directions below
2/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/3 cup diced celery
zest of 1 lemon
4 tablespoons lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

Materials:

Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Large bowl
Medium bowl
Small bowl
Medium saucepan if making couscous
Baking sheet
Fork

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a medium bowl, toss butternut squash with 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place on baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes or until tender.

2. In a small bowl, rehydrate the dried cranberries by combining with 2 cups hot water. Soak for one minute. Drain.

3. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon olive oil to a boil. Stir in couscous and cover, remove from heat, let stand 5 minutes. Remove cover, fluff with a fork and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

4. In a large bowl, combine the couscous (rice), butternut squash, cranberries and remaining ingredients. Serve at room temperature.

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