The Hubby offered to take me out to dinner for my birthday, but I really wanted to stay home and. make a home cooked dinner. I was excited to try the Barefoot Blogger’s challenge picked by Rachel of Rachel Likes To Cook. Butternut Squash Risotto. I was tempted to make it with pumpkin instead of the butternut squash but I knew it would be a hard sell to the little family. No one likes pumpkin in my family the way I like pumpkin. So I figured it was a safer bet to stay with the original recipe. 
Although the recipe is a little time consuming, it’s totally worth it.
You roast the squash and add it in at the end. I think this is my new favorite vegetable. Just roasted, with a little salt and pepper. But don’t tell the Hubby that. He thought it was a little to close to the pumpkin family for comfort. I don’t know what is wrong with that man.
It was creamy, dreamy, and just screamed Fall!
I really wanted to serve it with turkey legs but I couldn’t find any.
I had to settle for roasted chicken.
It was a fine birthday dinner and I enjoyed every bite.
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What Are The Barefoot Bloggers?
We’re an [extra]ordinary group of cookers and bakers with a love of all things Ina. We’ll be testing Ina Garten’s (Barefoot Contessa) recipes as a group and blogging about them on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.
ht: Tara
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I’ll announce the Happy Spoon giveaway winners tonight.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I love Butternut Squash. I can’t wait to try this recipe! Dinner looks lovely.
Anytime I open a blog and see bacon frying, I’m a happy girl. I love bn squash. This looks decadent. I’ve never made risotto befoe. But, this…wow, now maybe I will.
Your birthday dinner looks fantastic!
That risotto looks so warm and tasty! I wonder if I could get my family to get butternut.
I love squash risotto (although I’ve never tried that particular recipe!) And I love how festive your table looks too!
What is it with men and squash???
Yours looks great.
Looks delicious! It’s my birthday, too! Happy Birthday!
I thought about making it with pumpkin, too! But I couldn’t find peeled, diced pumpkin. The thought of doing it myself was too much!
Looks delicious and happy late birthday!!!
Mmmmm, delicious! What’s wrong with these men? I had to leave the squash out of Jeff’s portion.
P.S. Happy Birthday!!!
Hey Birthday girl-what a fabulous dinner! I love that you opted to stay home. That’s a true blue foodie.
Happy Birthday!! Hope you had a great day-your risotto looks great!
Oh my word, what a gorgeous table! I am making this again on my birthday as my present to myself. That’s all I need. Just the butternut squash risotto. Yours looks perfect. Happy birthday!
Oh, I love your table setting! I agree, what is wrong with that hubby to not love pumpkin! Oh, that should be a crime!
~Cat
What a beautiful table setting Megan! The Risotto looks really delicious!
I love butternut squash also and am so lucky my parents grow this! I have a few dishes I’ll be making this month to post with it myself!
Happy Birthday! Your meal looks lovely. And I agree about the squash. I hope that you didn’t have to clean the kitchen after preparing your own birthday dinner!
That is a pretty amazing meal! Good for you! It’s too bad your fam doesn’t like pumpkin…my husband isn’t too keen on pumpkin…but he indulges every once in a while.
Happy birthday! Glad you enjoyed yourself – it was a really lovely recipe.
Yum! Looks fantastic! Great job!
This sounds wonderful Megan and looks mighty yummy!!
Happy birthday! Looks so good and creamy!
i love love the spoons and butternut squash is my absolute favorite ever! i love this, geesh!
Happy late Birthday!
The risotto looks fabulous and so does your table centerpiece. Love the combo and the glass acorns are so cute!