Maple Glazed Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin season is upon us. While I am no fan of the PSL, I will take pumpkin baked goods all day every day. And this pumpkin bread was delicious.  My two year old wanted some of the "cake", I wasn't sure what she would think since it was pumpkin flavored but she loved it and probably ate half of it over the days that followed.  I'm sure the maple glaze had nothing to do that it...ha. This recipe is adapted from Six Sisters Stuff.

Bread
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda

Glaze
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
4-5 tbsp maple syrup
1-2 tbsp milk

Heat oven to 350.  Grease a standard size loaf pan. In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs. Whisk in the pumpkin, oil, sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in the flour, salt and baking soda. Pour into the greased pan and bake for 50 minutes or until the bread is cooked through. Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.  Let the bread fully cool off before making the glaze. To make the glaze whisk together the poured sugar, maple syrup and milk until it reaches the desired consistency. Pour the glaze over the bread.

Crunchy Roasted Broccoli

I'm always looking for a new but simple way to fix vegetables. This was a great way new way to make broccoli and the crunch just added a little something extra.

4 cups broccoli florets
1/4 cup butter (melted)
1 cup panko crumbs
1/2 tsp garlic salt

Heat oven to 400.  Lightly grease as sheet pan. Put the broccoli in a ziplock bag and add the melted butter. Coat the broccoli with butter then add the panko and garlic salt. Shake until the broccoli is coated. Remove to the sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and serve. 

Crock Pot Chicken with Bacon Gravy

I made this the first week of school because I needed easy!  This recipe was delicious, flavorful and super easy to throw in the crock pot. I served it over brown rice.

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 slices bacon
2 packages chicken gravy
1 1/2 cups water
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp thyme
2/3 cup cream

Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crock pot then top with bacon, garlic and thyme. Whisk together the chicken gravy and water and pour over the chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred the chicken in the gravy and stir in the heavy cream and cook uncovered for 20 minutes then serve.

Black Bean Layer Dip

This layer dip is a fun twist on a classic! I loved using the black beans and it gave the dip an overall fresher flavor in my opinion. It's perfect for tailgating or watching a football game at the house!

16oz black beans
2 cloves garlic
2 tsp lime juice
3/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups guacamole 
1 cup sour cream
1 cup pepper jack cheese
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
2 roma tomatoes (diced)
1/4 cup sliced black olives

Drain the black beans and place in the food processor with the garlic, lime juice, chili powder and salt. Place in the bottom of a 8x8 baking dish. Spread the guacamole over the black bean layer. In the food processor place the sour cream and and pepper jack cheese until smooth. Layer over the guacamole. Top with cheddar cheese then tomatoes and black olives. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. 

Apple Fritter Monkey Bread

 
It's fall!!!! That means it's finally time for all things apple and pumpkin and soups and chowders and all of my favorite types of food! This monkey bread is the perfect Saturday morning breakfast treat!This recipe is adapted from Pack Momma.

2 16oz cans flaky refrigerated biscuits
2 granny smith apples (diced)
2 cups brown sugar
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter (melted)
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350. Grease a bundt  pan.  In a small bowl whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Cut each biscuit in 4 equal parts. Place 1/4 of the diced apple into the bottom of the pan. Dip each piece of biscuit into the butter then into the brown sugar mixture. Layer 1/4 of the biscuits then 1/4 of the apples until it the biscuits and apples are all in the pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes. While the monkey bread is cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract.  Flip the monkey bread onto a serving place then drizzle with glaze and serve.

Quick and Easy Chicken Lo Mein

This is officially one of my new favorite dinners.  I'm a harsh critic on my own cooking and it takes a lot for me to exclaim "oh this is so good" after just one bite. But this had me at first bite and I know I will be making it a lot! The great thing is you can use whatever veggies your family likes, I used onion, mushrooms, red, yellow and orange peppers. But it would be so great with broccoli, carrots, sugar snap peas, bok choy, so many things! I used lo mein noodles from the freezer section but really any will work!

2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite size strips)
4 cups sliced or diced vegetables
1 tbsp olive oil
21 oz Lo Mein noodles
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup chicken stock
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp cornstarch

 Heat a skillet over medium heat with oil. Saute the chicken until it is cooked through, remove from heat and set to the side. Add the vegetables to the pan and saute. Cook the lo mein noodles according to directions on the package and set to the side. Whisk together the soy sauce, chicken stock, honey, brown sugar, ground ginger, garlic and cornstarch. Once the vegetables are tender stir in the noodles, chicken and sauce. Toss it all together. When the sauce begins to thicken, remove from heat and serve.

Red Velvet Surprise Cupcakes

I needed to take something sweet to small group the other week and these were perfect! They were easy to throw together and they were easy to transport in the car! They turned out great and might be a new favorite around here!

Cupcake
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp white vinegar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp red food coloring

Cream Cheese Filling
8oz cream cheese
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract


Heat oven to 350. Line with cupcake liners.  Whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, white vinegar and vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix. Add the red food coloring and mix until combined. Fill the cupcake liners halfway with cupcake batter. Drop in 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the cake is cooked through. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to continue cooling.

Grilled Brown Sugar Chili Pork Tenderloin

Easy, delicious, flavorful! That perfectly sums up this grilled pork tenderloin. This was Gray's pick for his birthday dinner and it was a great pick! This recipe is adapted from Katie's Cucina.

2 pork tenderloins
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp olive oil

In a bowl combine the chili powder, brown sugar, paprika and cinnamon. Rub the olive oil over the pork tenderloin then rub the chili powder mixture into the pork tenderloin. Heat grill over medium high heat and grill for 10 minutes on each side or until the pork tenderloin is cooked through. Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Creamy Margherita Pasta

Pasta pasta pasta. My two year old loves pasta. Almost every night she asks if we are having pasta and if I say yes it's met with cheers! This creamy cheesy pasta was delicious! This recipe was adapted from Carlsbad Cravings.

1lb penne pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup onion (chopped)
6 roma tomatoes (chopped)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 cup milk
2 tsp chicken bouillon
1 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
2 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup chopped basil

Cook the pasta according to directions and drain,  reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Melt the butter and oil over medium low heat in a large skillet. Turn the heat up to medium and saute the onion and half of the tomatoes for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 second. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Turn the heat to low and whisk in the chicken broth then milk until the sauce is smooth. Turn the heat back up to medium and bring to a simmer. Stir in the chicken bouillon, dried parsley, dried oregano, salt and pepper. Keep stirring until the sauce has thickened slightly. Turn the heat down and add the cream cheese then stir in the parmesan cheese and mozzarella until smooth. Stir in the remaining tomatoes and fresh basil. Toss with the pasta. If the sauce has thickened too much then thin out with the pasta water until the constancy is right.

Garlic Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes might be on of my most favorite things ever. And garlic might be one of my most favorite things ever. These mashed potatoes were super creamy and amazing! This recipe was adapted from Coco and Ash.

2lbs potatoes
10 large garlic cloves (peeled)
8oz cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1 1/4 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Peel the potatoes and cut into big cubes. Fill a large pot with water and place the potatoes and garlic in the pot. Bring to a boil then continue to boil for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Drain the potatoes and garlic of the water then add the cream cheese, butter, 3/4 cup milk, salt and pepper. Mash with a potato masher and add the remaining milk as you mash. Once the potatoes have reached your desired constancy, serve.

Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake

This was Gray's choice for his birthday dessert this year and I have to say it was super good. The lemon flavor in the pound ca ke wasn't overwhelming and the glaze had just the tartness that it needed to add to the cake. I love that it uses all fresh lemon juice. This recipe was adapted from Chocolate Chocolate and More.


Cake:
3 cups cake flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter (room temperature)
3 cups sugar
6 eggs
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 tsp grated lemon peel
1 cup sour cream

Glaze
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice

Grease a pound cake pan. Heat oven to 325. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder and salt. In a stand mixer beat the butter until fluffy. Add in the sugar one cup at a time letting it fully combine before moving on to the next cup. Add the lemon juice and lemon peel. With a spatula fold in the flour and then the sour cream. Place the cake batter into the greased pound cake pan. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes then flip on a plate to let finish cooling. Once the cake had cooled whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice. Pour over the cake and let sit for at least 30 minutes before serving.