Kindness

Butternut Squash in Coconut Milk
1/2 cup flaked coconut
2 tsp vegetable oil
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 TBSP fish sauce
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1 butternut squash, peeled and cut into large cubes
1 TBSP fresh cilantro

     Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spread the coconut on a baking pan and bake until golden, about five minutes.  Set aside to cool and crisp.
      Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and the garlic and stir three minutes, until tender.  Add the coconut milk, brown sugar, fish sauce, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
     Bring the mixture to a boil and add the squash.  Reduce the heat, cover,
and allow to cook until the squash is tender, about 30 minutes.
     With a slotted spoon, transfer the squash to a serving bowl.
     Boil the remaining liquid until it thickens, then pour over the
     squash.  Garnish with toasted coconut and cilantro.


       "It is one of the beautiful compensations of life, that no man 
        can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."
                                                         -Ralph Waldo Emerson

        "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
                                                         -AESOP