Cardamom-Spiced Butternut Squash Gratin with Kale & Toasted Almonds

Cardamom-Spiced Butternut Squash Gratin

with Kale & Toasted Almonds

2 Servings
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From the Test Kitchen

In wintertime, nothing quite rivals the warming taste of a gratin. The word gratin comes from French and refers to the the golden brown, crunchy topping that defines the entire dish, which is usually baked. But, wait! We’ve found a shortcut. In this recipe, you’ll push the definition of the gratin by cooking the vegetables, mixing them with a spiced béchamel and simply topping them with a layer of crunchy, pan-browned panko breadcrumbs. No baking necessary, chefs! You’ll get the same rich, hearty, full-flavored dish in less time.

Get Cooking
  • Nutrition
    PER SERVING
  • Calories
    650 Cals (est.)
fresh
ingredients
Cardamom-Spiced Butternut Squash Gratin with Kale & Toasted Almonds
Title
  • ½ cup Red Quinoa
  • ½ bunch Curly Kale
  • 1 Butternut Squash
  • 1 Leek
  • 1 1-Inch Piece Ginger
  • 2 Tbsps All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 Tbsps Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 1 2-Ounce Packet Coconut Cream Powder
  • 3 Tbsps Golden Raisins
  • 2 Tbsps Almonds
  • 1 tsp Squash Gratin Spice Blend (Ground Cardamom, Saffron Powder & Cayenne Pepper)
time-saving
tips & techniques
Red Quinoa
Panko Breadcrumbs
step-by-step
instructions
Cook Along Triangle Created with Sketch.
Cook the quinoa:
1 Cook the quinoa:

Heat two large pots of salted water to boiling on high. Once the first pot of water is boiling, add the quinoa. Cook, stirring occasionally, 18 to 20 minutes, or until tender; drain thoroughly and set aside.

Prepare the ingredients:
2 Prepare the ingredients:

While the quinoa cooks, wash and dry the fresh produce. Separate the kale stems and leaves; discard the stems and roughly chop the leaves. Peel and halve the butternut squash lengthwise; scoop out and discard the seeds. Medium dice the squash. Trim off and discard the roots and upper, dark-green leaves of the leek; halve the leek lengthwise and rinse thoroughly, keeping the layers intact. Small dice the leek. Peel and mince the ginger. Roughly chop the almonds. In a medium bowl, combine the coconut cream powder and ½ cup of hot water; whisk until thoroughly combined.

Cook the butternut squash:
3 Cook the butternut squash:

While the quinoa continues to cook, add the butternut squash to the second pot of boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain thoroughly and set aside. Rinse out the pot.

Toast the nuts & breadcrumbs:
4 Toast the nuts & breadcrumbs:

While the squash cooks, heat a small, dry pan on medium until hot. Add the almonds and toast, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until fragrant. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Wipe out the pan. In the same pan used to toast the nuts, toast the breadcrumbs on medium, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Make the spiced béchamel:
5 Make the spiced béchamel:

In the same pot used to cook the squash, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium until hot. Add the ginger, leek and spice blend; season with salt and pepper. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until the leek is tender and the spices are fragrant. Add the flour; cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until thoroughly combined. Add the coconut cream mixture and ¾ cup of water. Cook, stirring frequently, 4 to 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.

Assemble the casserole:
6 Assemble the casserole:

Stir the kale, toasted almonds and golden raisins into the spiced béchamel. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the kale has wilted. Stir in the cooked quinoa and squash. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until well combined. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top with the toasted breadcrumbs. Enjoy!

Tips from Home Chefs

Cardamom-Spiced Butternut Squash Gratin

Cook the quinoa:
1 Cook the quinoa:

Heat two large pots of salted water to boiling on high. Once the first pot of water is boiling, add the quinoa. Cook, stirring occasionally, 18 to 20 minutes, or until tender; drain thoroughly and set aside.

2 Prepare the ingredients:

While the quinoa cooks, wash and dry the fresh produce. Separate the kale stems and leaves; discard the stems and roughly chop the leaves. Peel and halve the butternut squash lengthwise; scoop out and discard the seeds. Medium dice the squash. Trim off and discard the roots and upper, dark-green leaves of the leek; halve the leek lengthwise and rinse thoroughly, keeping the layers intact. Small dice the leek. Peel and mince the ginger. Roughly chop the almonds. In a medium bowl, combine the coconut cream powder and ½ cup of hot water; whisk until thoroughly combined.

Prepare the ingredients:
Cook the butternut squash:
3 Cook the butternut squash:

While the quinoa continues to cook, add the butternut squash to the second pot of boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain thoroughly and set aside. Rinse out the pot.

4 Toast the nuts & breadcrumbs:

While the squash cooks, heat a small, dry pan on medium until hot. Add the almonds and toast, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until fragrant. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Wipe out the pan. In the same pan used to toast the nuts, toast the breadcrumbs on medium, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Toast the nuts & breadcrumbs:
Make the spiced béchamel:
5 Make the spiced béchamel:

In the same pot used to cook the squash, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium until hot. Add the ginger, leek and spice blend; season with salt and pepper. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until the leek is tender and the spices are fragrant. Add the flour; cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until thoroughly combined. Add the coconut cream mixture and ¾ cup of water. Cook, stirring frequently, 4 to 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.

6 Assemble the casserole:

Stir the kale, toasted almonds and golden raisins into the spiced béchamel. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the kale has wilted. Stir in the cooked quinoa and squash. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until well combined. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top with the toasted breadcrumbs. Enjoy!

Assemble the casserole:
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