Fall Dinner PERFECTION!

Tonight is a special night; one deserving of a special meal. Yes, it's a glorious, windy, fall-like evening with smooth, gray skies and cool temperatures. This is reason enough for celebration, though this isn't the sole source of my conviviality.

Tonight, my friends, at 9:00 we will be reverently perched in front of our television set, for the season premiere of the only show that deserves such devotion. That's right; it's the only program on television in which you can hear a character say, "Fact: I am faster than 90% of all snakes". This show is what all comedy shows should aspire to be. It is life-changing. It is gut-busting. It is good medicine for the sick and the weary. It is...The Office.

So, I'm going to be brief because I am now left with only 24 minutes until the much-anticipated event. This is okay, because there's not too much to say about this celebratory dinner, other than IT ROCKED MY FREAKING FACE OFF!!!!!!!!

Butternut Risotto

• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter


• 1 tbsp. extra light olive oil


• 3 shallots, diced


• 1 large butternut squash, peeled and diced into 1/2" pieces


• 1 tsp. kosher salt


• 1/4 tsp. black pepper


• 1 clove garlic, minced


• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg


• 2 cups arborio rice


• 1/2 cup white wine


• 6 cups chicken stock (I used fat-free, low-sodium)


• zest and juice from 1 lemon


• 1 cup asiago cheese, plus extra shavings for garnish

Heat butter and oil in a large pot, over medium heat. Add shallots and butternut squash and cook app. 15 minutes, or until squash is tender. Add salt, pepper, garlic, nutmeg, and rice. Toss to coat every grain of rice with oil. Add wine and cook a minute or so, until reduced by half. Then, start adding chicken broth, one ladel at a time; you will need to add a ladel and stir often until the liquid is almost completely absorbed. Then add another ladel, and repeat this process until the rice is tender but firm. This process will take about 30 minutes over medium/low heat. Once rice is tender and the last ladel of broth is absorbed, remove from heat and stir in zest, lemon juice, and cheese. Serve with extra shavings of asiago cheese on top.

A Delicious Salad to Accompany Butternut Risotto

• mixed greens with assorted fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, and cilantro


• golden raisins


• toasted walnuts


• balsamic vinegar


• olive oil


• gray sea salt


• black pepper

"No, the gas station in Carbondale did not have fresh yams."

-Ryan, aka "Temp", The Office