Pumpkin Pie Shake

This recipe is adapted from a little freebie magazine I saw in a coffee shop, called, "Food for Thought".  I think I've seen them at the local health food store as well.


2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 cup milk
2/3 cup pumpkin
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
pepitas for garnish (optional)


Throw it all in the blender (except pepitas), mix it up and serve!  This really did taste like pumpkin pie.
You could also just use pumpkin ice cream, which is sold seasonally in the grocery store.  Makes about 4 servings.

Don't forget to share with a friend!

Slow Cooker or Five Ingredient?

Hi Bloggy friends!
I really want your input!  I'm going to be starting a weekly feature here at Art From My Table.  Which would you rather see... "Slow Cooker Sundays" or "Five Ingredient Fridays"?


Please please please comment on my blog and let me know.  I would love to hear from you.  :-)

                      

NOTE:  I usually take all my own photos, however these 2 are from a website that offers free images.  All of my recipe's are my own photos.  

Apple Cinnamon Chex Mix

I was at the orchard the other day buying some apples to dry.  The woman there was giving me some tips and we got to talking about recipes.  She mentioned that people were buying up her dried apples to make this chex mix.  So, I told her I was going to try it, and if I blogged about it I would mention her.  Then she told me the recipe was on the back of the cereal box.  :-)  But, I am mentioning her anyway.  I love Wells Orchards, and during apple season I always buy from them. So, if you live near me, you've got to check them out.  They are awesome!
So, this recipe is on the back of the Wheat Chex Cereal box, but I did make some changes.  Also, they give microwave directions, but I'd much rather cook it low and slow, plus the house smells fabulous!


4 cups Wheat Chex
4 cups Corn Chex
2 cups Rice Chex
1 cup pretzel sticks
1 cup peanuts
1 cup pepitas
1 stick of butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice
2 cups dried apples
1 cup vanilla yogurt covered raisins


Preheat oven to 250.
Mix your cereal, pretzels, peanuts and pepitas in a large bowl.  In a seprate bowl, combine the butter, sugar, and spices.  Put in the microwave in 1 minute increments until the butter is melted and the mixture is boiling (about 2 minutes).  Pour the butter mixture on the dry mixture and stir well to coat.  Then spread the mixture on a large baking sheet(s).  Place in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  I needed to baking sheets, and I rotated them each time I stirred them.


Let it cool completely and then add your dried apples and raisins.  Mix well, and enjoy!

Turkey Stuffing Bake

Mmmm, a little taste of Thanksgiving early.  This was a great easy meal and very flavorful.  I prepared it early and just popped it in the oven at dinnertime.  This is adapted from my favorite food magazine, "Everyday Food"


2 tbs evoo
2 lbs ground turkey
1 tbs fresh sage, finely chopped
3 tbs flour
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste
1 yellow onion, diced medium
3 celery stalks, diced medium
8 cups whole wheat bread (cut in large cubes)  I used home made bread, you could use a crusty bread too.
2/3 cup dried cranberries
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbs butter cut into small pieces


Preheat oven to 425.  In a large skillet, heat 1 tbs oil over medium-high.  Add Turkey and brown til cooked.  Drain.  Return to the pan, add sage and flour and stir to coat.  Add 1 1/2 cups broth and cook, stirring and scraping up any browned bits, until liquid is thickened.  Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a baking dish.


Rinse out skillet; wipe dry.  Return to heat and add 1 tbs oil.  Add onion and celery and cook until softened, about 8 minutes.  Remove from heat and add bread, cranberries, and 2 cups broth; toss until combined.  Stir in eggs.  Pour bread mixture over turkey mixture; dot with butter.  Bake until juices are bubbling and bread is golden brown, 20-25 minutes.  Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Salted Caramel Apple Cider

This is for those that like that sweet and salty combo.  If you're not one of those, just omit the salt and you'll have a nice sweet treat.


12 oz apple cider
1 1/2 tbs caramel sauce
whip cream
salt


Warm your apple cider in a sauce pan until it is steaming.  Meanwhile put caramel in a mug, or the cup you'll be serving in.  Add the cider and stir.  Top with whip cream and a dash of salt. Drizzle with more caramel sauce if desired.  Mmm mmm, I love the flavors of fall!

"Caramel" Apple Bites

It's my daughters birthday, and her first year in school.  We decided these mini caramel apples would be fun to do as her birthday treat.  Now, did you notice the quotes around caramel?  These are more like a mock caramel apple, but that just doesn't sound as good.  I did try these with real caramel, but I couldn't get the caramel to set up.  The apple is just too moist, even after blotting it.  So, here's what we ended up with and they really are tasty!


You'll need:
a Melon Baller
Sucker Sticks
Apples
Butterscotch chips
Sprinkles


Use your melon baller to scoop out 'bites' of the apple.  You should get about 8 per apple.

Place the stick in the side with skin.  All of them should have 1 side with the skin still on.  I trimmed the ends of my sucker sticks so they had a point, it just made it easier to stick in the apple.


Melt your butterscotch chips on very low heat or over a double broiler.  I add a teaspoon of vegetable oil just to make it smooth and easier to work with.


Blot each apple bite before you dip it and swirl it in the butterscotch.  This is key, otherwise the melted butterscotch will not stick.  Then dip it in your sprinkles and you're good to go!

They don't take long to set up.  I put mine in mini treat bags since they were going off to school.

Hobby Lobby and stores like that do make a decorating stand for these and cake pops.  But, because I have such a handy wonderful husband, he whipped up these little wood blocks for me.  They work great!  I have yet to paint/decorate them to make them a little more photogenic, but some day, in my spare time...yeah right!  Anyway, I hope you enjoy!  Happy Fall!

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a staple in our house. We like it all different ways, it usually consists of either fresh fruit or dried fruit along with some nuts and/or seeds, topped with vanilla yogurt. The yogurt makes it creamy as well as sweetens it up a bit. I used to only like oatmeal that had brown sugar and maple syrup on it, but as you can see I've branched out alot...thanks to my husband. :-) I find that using the dried fruit along with vanilla yogurt sweetens it up plenty.

Today we went for another fall flavor...pumkin! We really enjoyed it, I hope you will too.

1 1/2 cups Old Fashioned Oats (not quick cooking)
3 cups of water
1/4 cup pumpkin puree'
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon and sugar
1-2 tbs brown sugar (depending how sweet you like it)
Vanilla yogurt
pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Combine all ingredients except the yogurt and pepitas in a medium pan. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Top with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and some pepitas.