Delicata Squash and Gouda Souffle

I was wary of diving into the world of souffles, known for their difficulty, but this step by step process makes it relatively easy and the final, delectable product is worth every ounce of effort. This souffle combines light, naturally sweet delicata squash with some savory and slightly crunchy aged gouda for a delicious blending of flavors. The souffle comes out very light - an air-filled omelet almost - with hints of Thyme coming through to add perfection to every bite.

Since the souffle already required a lot of work and attention, I simply purchased some cajun catfish from Whole Foods and tossed it into a pan to round out the dinner. If you want to go a lighter route, however, simply serve the souffle with a light green salad or even a fruit salad. The egg in the souffle already provides a protein and in combination with the cheese makes this lighter-than-air dish surprisingly filling.

Difficulty: hard
Time: 2 hr 15 min
Cost: $16.99

Nutrition and recipe below the jump!

Phyllo Beet Wellingtons and Tilapia with Fresh Mediterranean Tomato Sauce

I'm new to beets. I hadn't really eaten them growing up, and so I also had never sought them out to make for myself. However, at a recent restaurant visit I had the most delicious beet gnocchi. I didn't even know such a thing existed, and was nervous ordering it, but it turned out to easily be the best dish on the menu. This success inspired me to try my hand at beets, and the phyllo beet wellington recipe below is a huge success. It takes a bit of effort, but it's well worth it.

To go with it, I served up some freshly sauteed tilapia topped with a fresh tomato sauce. It's not going to be a thick sauce, but a light, flavorful topping. Spring for some beautifully ripe heirloom tomatoes at your local farmer's market for the best taste. It's worth the extra cost; I promise you won't regret it.

Difficulty: medium-hard (because of phyllo dough!)
Time: 2 hr 15 min
Cost: $20.07

Nutrition and recipe below the jump!

Fresh Falafel and Honeyed Root Vegetables

I love falafel. When it's made well it's hot and crispy on the outside with a tender inside. It's flavorful and delicious, light in your mouth, and perfect in pita. You can heap on your favorite Middle Eastern dips and toppings, such as baba ghanouj, hummus, and more. However, it's deep fried and hardly healthy.

Here, I take the classic dish and lighten it up. No deep frying, but still some light pan frying to crisp the edges. I pair it with a tahini sauce as well as fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and lettuce. The vegetables add some nutrition in place of oily dips and the pan frying saves oodles of fat. Yet the basic taste is remained. What's not to love?

In addition, I whipped up some roasted root vegetables coated in a delicate honey sauce. The natural sweetness comes through and with the light honey tastes absolutely perfect.

Difficulty: medium-easy
Time: 1 hr 40 min
Cost: $11.17

Nutrition and recipe below the jump!

Italian Baked Cauliflower

Cauliflower hasn't always been a favorite of mine, but this dish makes me seriously reconsider that stance. It's full of flavor and truly hits the spot. The cauliflower dish combines Italian herbs, cheese, and fresh tomato sauce for a delightful and unusual blend. Make this for cauliflower fans, or those who are only so-so on the dish but have never experienced it cooked in this way.

I made this baked cauliflower with rosemary roasted potatoes and some Thai-flavored swordfish. However, if you're looking for a relatively light vegetarian meal, this could easily stand on its own.

Difficulty: easy
Cost: $18.21
Time: 20 min

Nutrition and recipe below the jump!

Creamy Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese

Would you believe that you can stuff macaroni and cheese with butternut squash but still end up with a wonderful, cheesy delight that will fool the most anti-vegetable people around? In fact, despite the fact that my fiance knew of the squash beforehand, he completely forgot by the time he dug in and had to be reminded. And, going full circle, it was my turn to completely forget a few days later.

Yet, while the squash may go unnoticed, it adds wonders to the macaroni and cheese. It takes the kid (and adult) classic favorite and lightens it up considerably. The addition of squash adds a creaminess that allows less cheese, but at the same time stuffs the noodle dish with vitamins. Perfect! And, if I forgot to mention it, it's delicious - absolutely amazing.

I made this with some macadamia tilapia, but really no other dish is needed. This easily stands alone - and already contains your vegetables!

Difficulty: medium-easy
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Cost: $22.83

Nutrition and recipe below the jump!

Balsamic Asparagus

Asparagus has grown and grown on me recently, and this recipe does the vegetable proud. It allows the fresh spring taste of asparagus to come through sharply, but at the same time provides a kick and a sweetness that are delightful together. This recipe also comes together quite quickly, making it perfect for a weeknight after work when you don't have a lot of time or energy but still want to enjoy a home-cooked meal.

I made this with some mango-coconut salmon from Whole Foods and perogies, but the taste is simple and versatile enough to really go with any meal. Post in the comments if you find a great combination or make any changes we should know about.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 20 min
Cost: $16.90

Nutrition and recipe below the jump!

Spicy-Sweet Kabocha and Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Kabocha squash is my new favorite. This sweet and spicy combination shows squash at its best - tossed in a variety of spices and sugar with a dash of soy and sesame oil. The combination is absolutely delicious and the squash is tender and amazing to the touch. I recommend making it immediately - and then many more times afterwards.

Along with the amazing squash, this meal featured some fantastic bread pudding. Bread pudding is always delicious, but here there is the extra delight of pumpkin. There's really nothing not to love here. The taste, the texture. it's perfect, and lightened up considerably so while not exactly full of health it does pack a wallop of vitamins A and C and at least it won't leave you feeling guilty. Finally, I paired these fall classics with some blackened albacore tuna for an all-around great meal.

Difficulty: medium
Time: 1 hr 45 min
Cost: $13.13

Nutrition and recipe below the jump!

Red Kuri Squash Gratin

Red Kuri squash was a new one to me when I found it at a farmer's market, but I've completely come to appreciate it. It is pumpkin colored, but smoother on the outside without the signature ridges of a pumpkin. It looks a bit like butternut squash when cut open, and is quite sweet. Like many other squashes, it is an excellent source of fiber and vitamins A and C and even contains beta-carotene.

I made a simple gratin with the red kuri squash that was absolutely delicious, but you could easily prepare this squash in many ways. It's smooth, creamy, and sweet texture makes it a delight in nearly any form. It also pairs with a lot of other dinner items. I made it with some cajun catfish to contrast the sweetness with a bit of spice, but you could go nearly any route.

Difficulty: easy
Cost: $21.04
Time: 1 hr

Nutrition and recipe below the jump!

Broccoli with a Cheddar and Beer Sauce

Who doesn't love the good ol' broccoli and cheese of one's youth? Here, I take that classic comfort dish and make a more adult version with some added depth and flavor. Instead of simply adding some American, muenster, or cheddar on top to melt, I whipped up a cheddar sauce, augmented by beer, and touched up with a bit of chives and lemon as well. The complexity adds a more unique twist to this childhood favorite, giving it new excitement and making it even more fun to enjoy than you remember. It even retains its signature creamy, cheesy goodness!

This dish is fast to make and favored even by picky eaters, so make it in a bind when you need dinner quickly or when you're having guests over and they do not have the same gourmet tastes that you do. I made it on a night filling the former category. I had some leftover fish in the fridge already, so I simply heated it up but made the meal more interesting by adding this dish and some perogies. Healthy, fast, and delicious!

Difficulty: medium-easy
Time: 15 min
Cost: $6.75

Nutrition and recipe below the jump!