Top 2 Tuesday- favorite things about FALL

1. PUMPKIN!!!

I love pumpkin!!

I like pie, cookies, ice cream, fudge anything pumpkin!!!

Here is a great recipe for pumpkin whoppie pies from Rachel Ray

Ingredients:
1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, 1 stick melted, 1/2 stick softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt
1-2/3 cups flour
4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the baking powder, the baking soda and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour.
Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop 12 generous mounds of batter, spaced evenly, onto each baking sheet. Bake until springy to the touch, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the cream cheese. Add the confectioners' sugar and the remaining 2 pinches salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; mix on low speed until blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with another cake.

2. Anniversary month!

9/19/09

It was the most wonderful day

the weather was perfect

and I wouldn't of wanted it any other way

we had such a great day with our family & friends

Fall will always have a special place in my heart.

Chilly Chocolate Nutty Banana Pops- Hungry Girl

I love chocolate covered banana's!!! I NEVER have them due to not being able to find them. This summer I found one to late already ordered my ice cream. Hungry Girl once again has come up with a quick & easy way to enjoy a summer favorite!

Chilly Chocolate Nutty Banana Pops
PER SERVING (1 pop): 115 calories, 3.5g fat, 40mg sodium, 21g carbs, 2.5g fiber, 13g sugars, 1.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

Make your own nut-covered, chocolate-drizzled banana pops... Weeeee!

Ingredients:2 tbsp. All Natural Almond Accents Honey Roasted Flavored Sliced Almonds
1 medium banana
2 tbsp. Hershey's Lite chocolate syrup

Directions: Roughly chop the sliced almonds and set aside. Peel banana and cut in half width wise. Place both halves on a plate lined with wax paper. If you like, slide a craft stick into the cut side of each half (like a Popsicle).
Evenly drizzle banana halves with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with chopped almonds.
Gently roll banana halves in any excess syrup/nuts on the plate. Freeze for at least 1 hour. Enjoy!

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

Shortcut Pumpkin Bread

I found this recipe in a Parents Magazine.

Short cut Pumpkin Bread
-prepare a yellow cake mix, according to package, omit water
-stir in 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1 cup mashed bananas, 1 tsp cinnamon
-pour into greased 9 in loaf pan
-bake at 375 for 50 minutes

Frosting
-In mixer beat 4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened butter until creamy (2minutes)
-stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla and slowly add 1 cup confectioner's sugar

Frost cooled bread, chill

makes 16 slices

Spice Recipes- Lemon Pepper & Chili

Two great recipes for spices

My Aunt Lois is an amazing cook. She makes everything home made.

She made a great recipe the other day and I loved the spices in it.

She makes her own and she passed along the recipes!

I have only tried the Chili and it's so much better then the packets you get in the store.

Lemon-Pepper Seasoning Mix
1/2c. black pepper
3T. dried lemon zest
1 1/2T coriander seeds
2 T. dried minced onion
2T. thyme leaves
Combine all ingredients. Blend well. Store in air tight container.

Chili Seasoning Mix
Ingredients:
* 1/2 cup dried parsley flakes
* 1/2 cup chili powder
* 1/4 cup dried minced onion
* 2 tablespoons salt
* 1 tablespoon Caynne pepper (optional)
* 2 tablespoons dried minced garlic
* 2 tablespoons ground cumin
* 1 tablespoon ground coriander
* 1 tablespoon each dried cilantro flakes, basil and oregano
* 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
* 1-1/2 teaspoons pepper

Directions

* In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Use as a rub for pork or sprinkle on fish or as a seasoning for chili. Yield: 1-3/4 cups.


Nutrition Facts: 1 tablespoon equals 18 calories, 1 g fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 531 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein.

Oreo Pie

Oreo pie-

Ingredients:
1 pkg Oreo's (I used off brand, reduced fat)
1/4 cup melted butter
8 oz cream cheese (I used off brand, 1/3 less fat)
1 pkg instant chocolate pudding
1 tub of cool whip (I used off brand, low-fat)
1/4 cup powder sugar

Directions:

Crush Oreo's ( I used my small food processor). Set aside 1/2 cup for the topping of the pie. Melt butter and add to the remaining Oreo's. Mix and pour into 9 inch pie plate. Pat down Oreo's to form a crust. Beat cream cheese for 2 minutes on high speed. Add powder sugar & 1/4 of the tub of cool whip. Start mixer on a low speed, then beat on med-high for 1-2 minutes. Pour the mixture onto the crust. Make pudding according to directions (I always use 1/4 cup less of milk. It helps make the pudding stiffer). once the pudding has set up pour over cream mix. Take the remaining cool-whip and spread on top and sprinkle with the 1/2 cup of oreo's.
I didn't have a recipe to work with so I made my own. I bought it into work for a going away party for the intern. It was a big success!!

**I made a mini pie for the HB so he could enjoy as well***

Frozen LemonADE Me Pie

Frozen LemonADE Me pie

I found this recipe and thought what a nice way to cool (whip) down on a long HOT summer day! ***in picture they used orange concentrate****

• 1 graham cracker crust
• 1 8 oz frozen container of Cool whip
• 1 14 oz can of sweetened condense milk
• 1 12 oz container of frozen lemonade concentrate
  

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine frozen concentrate & condensed milk until blended.
2. Fold in Cool whip, don't let it get to soupy, don't over mix
3. Pour filling in crust. Freeze for 6-8 hours

Ideas:

• you could use your favorite concentrate (orange, cranberry, fruit punch)
• use a shortbread crust (I think I will use for the lemonade pie)
• lighten up the recipe use low-fat or fat free cool whip, light sweetened condense milk & light concentrate

Crispy Peanut Butter Squares

Crispy Peanut Butter Square

3 Tbsp light butter1 spray(s) cooking spray
4 cup(s) Kraft Jet-Puffed Mini Marshmallows, or similar brand
1/3 cup(s) reduced-fat peanut butter
6 cup(s) crispy rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies


Melt butter in a large saucepan coated with cooking spray over medium-low heat.

Add marshmallows, stirring until melted

Add peanut butter and cook until melted. Remove from heat.

Immediately add rice cereal; stir until cereal is coated. Press mixture into a 13 x 9-inch pan coated with cooking spray.

Cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 18 servings (serving size: 1 square). Enjoy!

Peanut butter adds a creamy, nutty twist to an old favorite!!! I eat a morning snack everyday which consists of a granola bar. I haven't found one that is not to sweet!!!! So, I found this recipe and will make it this week and let you know how it goes.

Love this new treat! I enjoy the peanut butter and the crunchy cereal!

Servings: 18
Prep time: 6 mins
Cooking time: 4 mins

If following WW= 2pts

Easter

Easter is this Sunday and I can't wait. I love Easter for many reasons but most of all my parents come over for the afternoon and we spend good times together. I have already planned out my Easter meal and have purchased everything (pat on my back for being planned)!!!!!

Menu::

*Ham with pineapple slices and cherries in the middle
*Orzo & Broccoli Salad (I found orzo this time so my recipe posted earlier will be right)
*Sweet potatoes- I just slices and baked with some dried cranberries (i always use butter this year I am going to try it with out)
*Deviled eggs (what's Easter with out eggs)
*Cherry bread
*peach and blueberry cobbler (recipe below it's SO0000OOOO easy! my friend Mickey made this with mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries and blackberries) and it was amazing! I thought I would change it up and use peaches and blueberries.

Peaches and Blueberry Cobbler:

Ingredients:
1 bag of frozen peaches (keep frozen don't defrost)
1/2 bag of frozen blueberries (keep frozen don't defrost)
1 yellow cake mix
1 can of diet soda (doesn't have to be diet)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with PAM. Fill pan with frozen fruit (you can use any type of fruit and any amount depending how thick you want the fruit to be on the bottom) sprinkle the dry cake mix on top of the fruit pour the can of soda over the top (evenly). Cover with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes. take the foil off cobbler and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until brown!!!

How easy it that!!!!!!!! The taste is great!