Pumpkin Pasties

This is a variation of the Pumpkin Pasties recipe in The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook by Dinah Bucholz. If you ever get a chance to get your hands on this wonderful book  - do so. It has some wonderful traditional English recipes that are delicious. These little hand pies are so simple to make that I had Joseph make them for our Monday baking to use for our afternoon snack.

Pumpkin Pasties

1 homemade pie crust or gluten free pie crust recipe
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4   cup brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
3 Tablespoons almond milk
colored sugar crystals of choice

1. Combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar,  nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger in a small bowl. Stir to mix well. Set aside.

2. Make the pie crust. Roll out the pie crusts and cut into four-inch circles.

3. Put 1 - 2 Tablespoons of the pumpkin filling into one side of the pastry circles.  Then fold over and crimp the edges with a fork to seal it. Make a couple of slashes in the tops with a sharp knife to make vents.

4. Brush the top of each with the milk and sprinkle with colored sugar of choice.

5. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or until a golden brown.

BBQ Burgers & Onion Rings

Last week this was Kody's pic for making dinner. BBQ Burgers, OMG Onion Rings and slaw.

Let me tell you about these onion rings OMG doesn't even begin to cover it. These little delights are beyond yummy! A definite must try for anyone.

Our whole wheat bread crumbs were from our freezer. We keep the crumbs from the slicing of our homemade breads and ends - boys aren't much for the large crusty ends of bread. His onion rings had a slight cinnamon taste (from our Who Bread) to them that added to the sweetness of the onions - very delicious.

The whole process didn't take long, however it was a bit messy - the boys love messy projects!

This was a great dinner. For the BBQ Burgers - Collin threw Boca burgers on the grill and basted them with Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce each time he turned them. The burger toppers were mixed baby greens, radish sprouts, and tomato slices. The slaw was store bought. This turned out so great we having a repeat of it (well almost) this week but we're having Black Eyed Pea Burgers, OMG Onion Rings, Potato Salad. I want to start trying different "burger" mixtures so we can get away from Boca & Morning Star Farms.

This is where you can find the OMG Onion Ring Recipe.

Mexican Casserole

We were going to have burritos and corn salad but Collin was flipping through this cookbook today

and found this

so needless to say the burritos and corn salad went out the window - we are having Mexican Casserole, fried corn and mixed baby greens salad. And the boy gets to cooking-

in the end he has this - Mexican Casserole

and this - Fried Corn

 and our plates look like this. A delightfully, yummy meal.

Mexican Casserole

serves 6

4 teaspoons olive oil, divided

1 cup chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 (12-ounce) package meatless crumbles (or use 1 pound cooked ground turkey for non-vegetarians or Celiacs)

48 baked tortilla chips divided

avocado cooking spray

1 (15ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained (we used back beans)

1 Tablespoon line juice

2 cups chopped seeded plum tomatoes

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (4ounce) shredded jack cheese (we we used Christian Cheese,vegetable cheddar)

2 tablespoons sour cream

2 tablespoons chopped green onions

1/4 cup sliced ripe olives

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet oer medium heat. Add onion to pan; cook 4 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook1 minute. Stir in chili powder and next three ingredients; cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Arrange half of tortilla chips in an 11x7-inch baking dish coated with avocado cooking spray; top with crumbles mixture.

3. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in skillet over medium heat. Add beans, mashing with the back of a wooden spoon until chunky and thick; cook 2 minutes or until heated, stirring constantly. Stir in lime juice.

4. Combine tomato and salt. Layer beans and tomato mixture over crumbles mixture in dish. Top with remaining tortilla chips, pressing to slightly crush. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 13 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Cut casserole into 6 equal pieces; top each serving with 1 teaspoon sour cream, 1 teaspoon onions, and 2 teaspoons olives.

Sweet Beginnings

 Give a boy a box of this and you get a sweet beginning to the New Year.

Hope your New Year is filled with blessings of sweetness and love.

Joseph Makes Limeade

The fruit bowl is full - what to do - what to do?

Slice up four limes and let Joseph go at it!

Pour into a gallon pitcher.

Add 1 cup of organic sugar - I added the sugar,you know kids can be scary with it. Stir to dissolve the sugar and fill with water.

Good Stuff!!!