Cheesy Stuffed Acorn Squash - 52 Side Dishes and Cooking with Beer Recipes

Double click the photo above for a link to this
Doritos and Beer Spinach Dip

Did you happen to catch yesterday's post about a party dip - Doritos and Beer Spinach Dip?

This is a planned vegetarian main dish that I made from extra dip.  I have a friend who happens to be a vegetarian.  She is invited to just about all of my larger dinner parties, so I am always on the look out for something new that I can serve and not make her feel like an afterthought.

This stuffed acorn squash was so popular many of my other guests thought about asking for a vegetarian option next party.

Cheese, spinach, rice and the thick meaty squash made for a very tasty meal.

And simple.

PLUS I had a plate of dip and chips the night before for a few family members that came for a visit.

Win - Win - Win - And I get a cheesy dip!

As I am writing this, Thanksgiving meals are being planned throughout the US.  Here's a great option, easy for a lunch but just special enough to serve on any holiday when you want to include your vegetarian friends in a meal other than just asking them to double up on the sides.

And you can easily add an appetizer cheesy dip and chips to your menu!

Enjoy indeed!

For the Cheesy Beer and Doritos Spinach Dip recipe, double click the Blue Letters.

You will need that base to make the stuffed Acorn Squash...

OK.. Here's what I did...

Cheesy Stuffed Acorn Squash

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Doritos and Beer Spinach Dip
• 1 Cup Cooked Brown Rice
• Half and Half (Can use whole milk) to thin the dip as needed.
• 1 Acorn Squash, Halved lengthwise and de-seeded
• 2 TBS Butter, Melted
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Cooking Directions

1. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat to 425 degrees.
2. Cut and de-seed the squash. Brush the butter onto the flesh of the squash. Put the squash, cut-side down on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake for 1 hour until the shell skin can be pierced easily with a knife.
3. While the Squash is cooking, Cook the brown rice according to the package directions. Add the cheese dip to the hot rice and stir to mix (and melt). If need be, add a few TBS of Half and Half (or Milk) to this to thin.
4. When the squash has cooked through, flip the squash over and top with the cheese/rice mix. Return to the oven and cook for about 20 minutes until the cheese has started to brown - Golden Brown and delicious. You can use the broiler setting to brown faster, only 2-3 minutes but be sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn.
5. Serve HOT and ENJOY!

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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Ways to Cook Side Dish Recipes"!!!

Sure the meat gets all the glory but real cooks know it's the spread... the specialty Side Dishes that makes a meal rise or fall. Here's a few of my favorite recipes that will help to create that illusive COMPLETE MENU!

LOTS of Potato Sides, Vegetable Sides, Specialty Salads, Bread and MORE!

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Also,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Cooking With BEER Recipes"!!!

Everyone knows about cooking with wine, but BEER has so much more complex flavors.  I imagine the day after beer was invented, someone made an Irish Stew. Cooking with beer infuses recipes with this intoxicating concoction of hops and barley in an effort to enhance and enrich everyday food..  Come take a look, sure to have something you might like to try.  All recipes have been tested and WORK!

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