Winter Butternut Squash Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

 Prep Time: 15 min    Cook Time:  30 min    Total Time:  45 min

For the butternut squash:

3 cups 1/2 inch cubed butternut squash

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 Tbsp honey or pure maple syrup

Freshly ground salt and pepper

For the sweet and salty toasted pecans:

1/2 cup pecan halves

1-2 tsp pure maple syrup

sea salt

For the salad:

1 lb (16 oz) burssels sprouts, ends trimmed and yellow outer leaves removed

3/4 cup seeds from 1 small pomegranate

1 large apple, thinly sliced (honeycrisp or pink lady apple are great)

1/2 cup chopped Medjool dates

1/3 cup shaved Manchego (or shaved Parmesan)

For the Caesar dressing:

1/4 cup tahini

2 Tbsp olive oiljuice from 1/2 large lemon

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1 tsp finely diced capers

1 tsp caper brine (from the jar of capers) 

1 tsp dijon mustard

1-2 Tbsp warm water, to thin dressing

Freshly ground salt and black pepper

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and add butternut squash cubes.  Drizzle with olive oil, honey or maple syrup, salt and pepper.  Toss to coat  the butternut squash with the oil.   Roast for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.  Butternut squash is done with fork tender.

2. While butternut squash is cooking, you can toast pecans:  add the pecans to a pan and place over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 4-5 minutes until they are slightly golden brown.  Once golden brown, turn off the heat and stir in a tsp or two of pure maple syrup to coat the pecans, followed by a sprinkle of sea salt.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.

3.  Next, shred your brussels sprouts: shave the brussels sprouts by using a food processor with the slicing attachment and pulse until the brussels sprouts are thinly sliced.  If you don't have a food processor, feel free to use a sharp knife to thinly slice.  Add shredded brussels sprouts to a large bowl.

4.  Next, mix the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth:  Tahini, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, diced capers, caper brine, Dijon mustard, warm water and freshly ground black pepper.  Taste and add a pinch of salt if necessary.

5.  Pour dressing over shredded brussels sprouts and toss together with tongs to coat the brussels.  Before you add anything else, I highly recommend tasting the brussels to see if they are salty enough to your liking.  If not, season with a bit of freshly ground salt and pepper.  Next, you can choose to serve this on a platter or in a bowl.  Platters are pretty for entertaining.

6.  If making on a platter:  add all of the brussels sprouts coated with dressing to a large platter.  Top with roasted butternut squash, then pomegranate seeds, apple slices, chopped dates, shaved manchego and finally, the toasted pecans.

7.  If making in a bowl:  stir in the cubed roasted butternut squash, pomegranate seeds, apple slices, chopped dates, shaved parmesan and toasted pecans.  Gently toss again so that everything is combined.

  Serves 6

Notes:

TO make paleo, vegan and dairy free simple leave off the cheese.  Make sure to also use maple syrup instead of honey for the butternut squash.

IF you want to make this a full meal, add1 (15 oz) can of drained chickpeas.