Simple Yet Gourmet

Ok, ok, I know we've already posted quite a few pumpkin recipes, but I just have to share this one with you.  After eating at Einstein Bagels and tasting their pumpkin cream cheese I fell in love and decided to make some of my own.  I played around with it a little and came up with a delicious little spread.  It's not exactly the same as Einstein's but I think it's just as good.  We love this on bagels, but it's great spread on other things too.  I spread it on graham crackers for a snack at Mommy School and the kiddos went crazy for it!

I made this oatmeal for an early morning meeting and it really hit the spot.  What a great way to start the day!  The warm oatmeal was perfect for a chilly morning, and the apples gave it extra flavor and texture.  It tastes like a healthy version of apple pie.  I like to put milk on mine, but you don't have to.  All the ladies loved it, and for a breakfast that is actually healthy and hearty, I have to say I'm impressed.  I'll be making this again for sure!

I made this recipe a while back, but forgot to post the recipe.  With the holidays just around the corner, this is a great recipe to use for those school parties or family reunions.  If you like the sheet cake version, then you will like the cupcakes as well.  Like I have mentioned before, I like cupcakes because I don't have to worry about plates and, knives or spatulas when I take these to different functions.  Easy, delicious and functional, what else can you ask for?  Enjoy!

     Ok, so we need to balance out the sweet stuff with a little healthy stuff!  I know it sounds strange, but my kids love hummus.  In fact it is one of their favorite snacks, besides just eating the beans from the can.  They love it with crackers, pretzel thins and pita bread.  It is a little expensive to buy so I thought I would give it a shot and make my own.  All you do it but all of the ingredients in a food processor and hit start, now that's easy!  The next combination I try will be using  garlic and roasted red pepper, or artichoke hearts and spinach  yum!      I like hint, save the juice from the canned beans to use to thin the hummus out.  I thought the recipe made it a little to thick, but adding some of the juice helped a lot!  I hope your family enjoys this as much as mine did!    

Ok, so I'm a little nutty for pumpkin right now.  My kids have started a revolt with all this pumpkin, but I still love pumpkin anything so the cooking will go on. I couldn't believe I hadn't posted these last year on the blog.  These waffles are a favorite of our family this time of year.   This recipe makes a TON of waffles, but they freeze really well, so cook them and have a quick breakfast during the busy week. Feel free to use maple syrup, but I liked the whipped cream on these.  Not to sweet, but a wonderful cinnamon flavor on top of these pumpkin treats.  Enjoy the pumpkin, for soon it will be gone, so sad!

Pam and I must be on the same page about this time of year.  As soon as the fall hits, I break out the pumpkin and apples.  I love my house smelling like baked apples and warm pumpkin pie.  My family is getting a little tied of all the pumpkin recipes, but since I'm the cook, I get to choose what we eat!  On Sunday I made a big pot of white chicken chili and then made these for dessert.  Even Mike, who does not like pumpkin or dessert ate two of them, and even liked them.  They are extremely moist due to the sour cream and buttermilk.  They have a nice pumpkin spice flavor and the pumpkin cream cheese just adds that extra kick.  If you are not a pumpkin fan, I encourage you to still give these a try, they are amazing!  Get baking and enjoy this great time of year!!

Doughnuts are yummy. They just are. I don' t make them often though for three reasons: I don't like frying things, they can be pretty unhealthy for you, and I would probably eat all of them. These doughnut holes however, defied typical doughnuts. They are baked, which of course is healthier for you, yet they are still delicious. We had these for an afternoon snack, but they would be wonderful for breakfast or brunch as well.