Blogs That Make Us Hungry

If you ever wondered if the adage about every picture telling a story has the ring of truth to it, look no further than the fabulous photos by Tami Hardeman on her wonderful food blog, Running with Tweezers, this week's Blogs That Make Us Hungry feature. She knows how to make even leftovers look so sumptuous you just want to reach into the screen and take the last delicious bite. Of course, it shouldn't be that surprising: Tami is a food stylist and by her own description one part Carrie Bradshaw, one part Nigella Lawson (which seems like a pretty darn perfect combo if you ask us).

But the photos are just the beginning. Tami offers up terrific but doable recipes and talks about food and its importance in life in a way that seems so honest and straight-forward that I just immediately want to be her friend. (Full disclosure: we've never met.) This recipe she got from her mother's Gourmet cookbook is just one of the many examples. Check her out! You won't be sorry.




Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Casserole
serves 6 as a side dish

* 3 1/2 pounds butternut squash
* 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 large garlic cloves, minced
* 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
* 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
* freshly ground black pepper to taste
* 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan (about 2 ounces)

- Preheat oven to 400°F.

- With a sharp knife cut squash crosswise into 2-inch-thick slices. Working with 1 slice at a time, cut side down, cut away peel and seeds and cut squash into 1-inch cubes (about 9 cups).

- In a large bowl stir together squash, bell pepper, oil, garlic, herbs, black pepper, and salt to taste. Transfer mixture to a 2- to 2 1/2-quart gratin dish or other shallow baking dish and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan.

- Bake casserole in middle of oven until squash is tender and top is golden, about 1 hour.

Rachel here: I can't wait to try the recipe posted above from Tami's blog. It seems so delicious and hearty and, frankly, I often struggle to figure out what to do with squash. Additionally, Tami has a lovely narrative woven through her blog, both enthusiastic and earnest, that I have loved following and I hope you will, too.