Great Autumn Recipes

I seem to have been struggling accepting Autumn and Winter's approach. The new scented candles arrived in stores, pumpkin lattes arrived and even pumpkin M&M's were showing up and I just couldn't stop wishing it were still summer. Thankfully this week has changed. Perhaps it was the purchase of a few bags of Halloween candy and all the sampling that changed my feelings! 

I couldn't think of a better way to spread my Autumn cheer than with some great recipes. 

Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins 

from My Recipes (click here for link)

This is a great moist muffin that you'll love.

 Apple Tart 

from Pioneer Woman (Click here for link)

If you're looking for an easy recipe that tastes amazing, this is it!

 

Pumpkin Spice Latte 

from Pillsbury (click here for link)

Yes, it sounds odd...a drink recipe from Pillsbury but it's easy and just as yummy as what you'd get from a coffeehouse. 

Now here is one of my favorites. We've done this every fall for years. Of course we've experimented with adding different ingredients such as raisins, oatmeal and butter. Below is the basic recipe, but have fun with it!

Campfire Apples

Ingredients

Apples (one per person)

Brown Sugar

To Make:

1. Cut the core out of each apple
2. Place an apple on a large square of aluminum foil
3. Fill the hole (where you removed the core) with brown sugar
4. Wrap the foil up and around the apple
5. Place the apple in the campfire for approximately 15 - 20 minutes
6. Open foil and cool slightly before eating

 

Enjoy!

Crispy Gnocchi

I have to share my new favorite recipe with you. I LOVE gnocchi and my husband LOVES goat cheese and with this recipe we both have an awesome meal!

I found this recipe on a blog I frequent called 

1 Cup Awesome

Not only is this recipe scrumptious, but its quick and easy!

Crispy Gnocchi Pesto with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
Adapted from Rachael Ray
Serves: 4
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 package (16oz) gnocchi (we used potato gnocchi)
1/2 pint grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
1/3 cup pre-made pesto
1 package (3.5oz) goat cheese, crumbled
Directions
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the gnocchi in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, until golden and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes; turn and cook, tossing occasionally, until golden all over, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.

I serve this with some crusty bread and it becomes an awesome comfort food meal! Perfect for a cold or rainy day! Enjoy!

Breakfast Pizza

For Mother's Day we got together with my husband's family and had a lovely brunch. I wanted to try something new and decided to try making a Breakfast Pizza. I was a little nervous going into it but it was super easy and everyone thought it tasted great.

BREAKFAST PIZZA 

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,165,144191-238203,00.html
Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.

1 lb. pork sausage
1 pkg. refrigerated crescent rolls (I actually like the crescent roll dough that you can buy now that is one solid sheet versus separated for rolls, it worked perfectly).
1 c. frozen, loosely packed hash brown potatoes, thawed
1 c. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
5 eggs, beaten
1/4 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Brown sausage in skillet and drain. Place dough in pizza pan or casserole dish (ungreased). Press over bottom and up sides to form a crust.

Sprinkle with sausage, potatoes and top with Cheddar cheese. In a bowl, beat together eggs, milk, salt and pepper.(I like to add a little minced garlic too!) Carefully pour egg mixture into crust. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese all over the top.

(Can be made the night before and stored in refrigerator). Bake at 375 degrees in oven for about 25 minutes. Makes 6-8 serving.

I made two pizzas; one using this recipe and the second I omitted the sausage and added tomatoes and spinach.  

Try this out for your family, hope you like it!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Are you having a Cinco de Mayo party? Maybe you just want to plan a fun family dinner for tonight? 

Here are some great recipes for Cinco de Mayo.

Green-Green Guacamole

This super easy guacamole is creamy and yummy. I got this from kraft-kitchens.com.

Ingredients

2 fully ripe avocados

1/4 cup  PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread

1/4 cup finely chopped tomatoes

2 Tbsp.  finely chopped onions

2 Tbsp. lime juice

1 clove  garlic, minced

1/8 tsp. salt

Dash  black pepper

Directions

MASH avocados in medium bowl. ADD remaining ingredients; mix well.

Fresh Salsa

This is one of my favorite salsa recipes from allrecipes.com. I love the jicama!

Ingredients

• 6 roma tomatoes, diced
• 3 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 red onion, chopped
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 2 cloves cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 small jicama, peeled and chopped
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Mix together the tomato, jalapeno pepper, red onion, green onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, cumin, jicama, and the diced tomatoes with chilies in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Allow to sit at least 1 hour before serving.