Halloween week!!!

Here's the plan for our eats this week:

*Monday: Trader Joe's Surprise! I'll let you know if it's good. And, caramel apples (we're having a pumpkin carving/caramel apple party! Yay!)

*Tuesday: Pizza Pockets--use your favorite dough & sauce, and any toppings you like. Wrap the sauce, cheese and toppings inside of the dough (making sure to seal the edges tightly), and bake on a rimmed baking sheet until cooked through.

*Wednesday: Black Beans & Rice

*Thursday: Leftovers

*Friday: White Chili & Cornbread Pudding (being taken to our church Halloween party!) + Caramel Pecan Pie & Pumpkin Cheesecake (see recipes below)

*Saturday: HALLOWEEN PARTY! Not exactly sure what I'm contributing, but I hear there is real Kahlua Pork involved...

*Sunday: Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables & apple-cider doughnuts

CARAMEL PECAN PIE

-1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust (this is my go-to pie crust recipe)
-36 individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped (or you can make your own)
-1/4 c. butter
-1/4 c. milk
-3/4 c. sugar
-3 eggs
-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
-1/4 tsp. salt
-1 c. pecan halves

Preheat oven to 350*. In saucepan over low heat, combine caramels, butter and milk. Cook, stirring frequently, until smooth. Remove from heat. Set aside.
In large bowl, combine sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt. Gradually mix in melted caramel mixture. Stir in pecans. Pour filling into unbaked pie crust.
Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown. Allow to cool until filling is firm.

DOUBLE LAYER PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

-2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
-1/2 c. white sugar
-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
-2 eggs
-1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
-1/2 c. pumpkin puree
-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
-1 pinch ground cloves
-1 pinch ground nutmeg
-1/2 c. whipped topping/whipping cream

Preheat oven to 325*.
In large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Remove 1 c. of batter and spread into bottom of crust; set aside.
Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to remaining batter an stir gently until well blended. Carefully spread over batter in the crust.
Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until center is almost set. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Cover with whipped topping before serving.

Another lovely week!

Last week I felt like I was finally in the fall/winter cooking mode. It was fun to cook/bake, and I loved trying some new recipes. Here's to another week!

*Monday: Leftovers (had some of our favorites--the Noorda's--over for dinner last night, and all agreed we didn't do our duty in finishing the food. Bonus for tonight!) I made this yummy salad to go with our spinach/prosciutto lasagna (totally did my own thing with both recipes though. For the lasagna--I added 2 eggs to the ricotta/s&p/garlic mixture. And I also just layered the prosciutto on top of the sauce, instead of mixing it in. It was a very yummy/simple lasagna. For the salad, I used parmesan instead of ricotta salata, and substituted toasted pecans for the Pancetta Crisps. I also made up my own dressing-a little Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, salt, pepper & honey. This was the first time I've ever made Brussels Sprouts--they were SO good roasted in the oven! Try this salad, it was definitely yummy...)

*Tuesday: Baked Potatoes with "mountain toppings" (Until Ryder was about 3 1/2 he HATED potatoes--in every form. He wouldn't even eat french fries. I kept offering potatoes, and one day decided to make it fun. I had lots of toppings I knew he would like--corn, bacon, cheese, broccoli, etc. for him to make a "mountain" on top of his potato. Ever since then, he LOVES potatoes, and begs for Baked Potatoes for dinner. Burke and I will add tomatoes, onions, peppers and any other veggie in my fridge to ours! Maybe even some roasted Brussels Sprouts?!)

*Wednesday: Skewered Sesame Shrimp with rice

*Thursday: Asian Noodle Salad + a special request for some treats to take to work tomorrow for the last day of a loved rotation. I think I'll do these & these.

*Friday: Pizza at the church for Primary Activity

*Saturday: White Bean Dip with Toasted Pita Chips & Apple, Grape and Celery Salad (Random meal, I know...this is what I need on a Saturday though ;)

*Sunday: Roasted Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup with Cornbread Muffins

Peanut Butter Pie

Here's a super easy peanut butter pie recipe. It was yummy. I think next time I would definitely make a graham cracker crust instead of the chocolate wafer crust (a little weird since I love chocolate so much). And the texture was interesting. The gelatin definitely gives the pie some "bounce" as Burke put it. But the flavor was yummy and with the crunchy peanuts on top and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, it was a delight.


CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER PIE

-30 chocolate wafer cookies
-4 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
-1/4 c. cold water
-1 envelope (1/4 oz.) unflavored gelatin
-1/4 c. packed light-brown sugar
-1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
-1 c. heavy cream
-1/4 c. chopped roasted unsalted peanuts

Preheat oven to 350*. Process cookies in a food processor until finely ground (to yield 1 3/4 cups). Add butter, and pulse until crumbs are evenly moistened.
Transfer crumb mixture to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press firmly into the bottom and up the sides. Place pan on a baking sheet; bake crust until set, 15 to 20 minutes; let cool completely.
Meanwhile, place the water in a small saucepan (off heat); sprinkle with gelatin. Let stand until softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
In a food processor, combine brown sugar and peanut butter; process until smooth. Add cream; process until mixture is light and holds soft peaks, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
Place softened gelatin over very low heat, stirring, just until dissolved. Add to peanut-butter mixture in food processor; blend to combine. Transfer filling to cooled crust, and smooth top with a flexible or offset spatula. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, and chill until set, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

*next time I think I'll give this recipe a try...

Another weekly menu...

Here's what we're eating this week for dinner:

*Monday: Leftovers

*Tuesday: Salmon with Hoisin Sauce and Spring Vegetables

*Wednesday: Baked Shells with Winter Squash & steamed Cabbage

*Thursday: Tomato-Basil Bisque (see recipe below) with homemade white bread (best recipe--see below), spinach salad and apple pie (I'm taking dinner to a family--and I get to meet the cute new little Bella! So excited!)

*Friday: Fast Chicken Fajitas with a little guacamole...it's been way too long. ;)

*Saturday: Leftovers

*Sunday: Spinach & Prosciutto Lasagna (didn't get to try this last week, and Ryder really wants to...)


TOMATO-BASIL BISQUE

-6 celery ribs, choped
-1 large onion, chopped
-1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
-1/4 c. butter, cubed
-3 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes, undrained
-1 TBSP tomato paste
-3/4 c. loosely packed basil leaves, coarsely chopped
-3 tsp sugar
-2 tsp salt
-1/2 tsp pepper
-1 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream

In a a large saucepan, saute celery, onion and red pepper in butter for 5-6 minutes or until tender. Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40 minutes.
Remove from the heat. Stir in the basil, sugar, salt and pepper; cool slightly. Transfer half of he soup mixture into a blender/food processor. While processing, gradually add cream; process until pureed. Return to the pan; heat through (do not boil).


LOTTIE ROBERT'S BREAD (my Mom got this from Relief Society probably 30 years ago!)

-2 pkgs. dry yeast
-1/2 c. warm water
-1/4 c. sugar
-1/4 c. shortening
-1 TBSP salt
-1 c. warm milk
-3/4 c. warm water
-6-7 c. flour

Soften yeast in 1/2 c. warm water. Measure flour by lightly spooning into cup and leveling off. In large bowl (or mixer) blend sugar, softened shortening, salt, milk, 3/4 c. water. Add 2-3 c. flour and beat with mixer until smooth. Add yeast. Gradually add remaining flour to form a moderately stiff dough; working it in first with spoon and finishing on a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8-10 mins). Place in greased bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover to keep air out; let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk.
Punch down dough; cover and let rise until nearly double again. Knead to remove air bubbles. Dived into 2 portions and let rest 10 mins. Place in well-greased loaf pans, seam side down and covered. Let rise until dough is nearly doubled. Bake in 350* oven until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped, about 30 mins. Remove from pans immediately; cool on wire racks.

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Thanks to my Mother in law, every fall I enjoy my days a little more because of this recipe.

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

-1 c. brown sugar
-3/4 c. butter
-1 egg
-1 c. pumpkin
-1 tsp. vanilla
-2 c. flour
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1 tsp. baking powder
-1 tsp. baking soda
-1 tsp. cinnamon
-1 c. chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, butter, egg, pumpkin and vanilla; beat well.
Mix dry ingredients together, then add gradually to the wet ingredients blending thoroughly. Stir in chocolate chips. Using a TBLSP sized spoon (or small ice cream scoop), evenly space dough on cookie sheet. Bake at 350* for around 10 minutes.

fall, finally!

Sorry, but I am just one of those people who can't get enough of fall. I LOVE when the air begins to chill, and I can break out the sweaters/boots. And I even get a little excited for winter. Go ahead, hate me. But I like that I don't have to feel depressed half of the year because I'm cold. :) One reason the cooler weather is so amazing to me is all of the baking/cooking opportunities I can take advantage of now that it isn't so hot out! So get ready for some home-cookin' casseroles and lots of warm soups!!! I'm SO excited!!!

*Monday: Never got around to our Salmon & Roasted Root Vegetables yesterday for dinner (we were too busy eating cinnamon rolls!). So we'll try it tonight!

*Tuesday: Sweet Potato Soup with Blue Corn Tortillas

*Wednesday: Spinach & Prosciutto Lasagna

*Thursday: Leftovers

*Friday: Tamale Pies

*Saturday: Steak with Roasted Carrots & Onions

*Sunday: Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo (Ryder is begging for me to make this again!) with a green salad