Coconut Cupcakes

These look divine and perfect for Easter!

Coconut cupcakes
Ina Garten, makes 18 to 20 large cupcakes

INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 extra-large eggs at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

Cream cheese frosting
• 1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
• 3/4 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1 1/2 pounds confectioners’ sugar, sifted

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer running on low, add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In three parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.

Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each cup to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.

Cream cheese frosting

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, blend together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners’ sugar and mix until smooth.
Frost cupcakes with cream cheese icing and sprinkle with the remaining coconut, and jellybean for an Easter touch!

TIPS
Cupcakes: I use an ice cream scoop to fill the muffin cups.
Frosting: It is very important that the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature and that the confectioners’ sugar is sifted to ensure no lumps in the icing.

Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35989209/ns/today-today_food_and_wine/#ixzz0j1iMzybj

Balls of cake..dipped in chocolate = YUM!

Ok I haven't exactly had these yet but I love cake, and creamcheese and who wouldn't love both even more in a little bite-sized ball dipped in chocolate?! I had never heard about doing something like this so I'm intrigued, could be really fun for a kids birthday party or holidays.

Red Velvet Cake Balls

1 box red velvet cake mix

(or any other flavor you desire, cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)

1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)

1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)

wax paper

1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.

2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)

3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)

4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)

5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

Note: I also only melt a few pieces of chocolate bark at a time because it starts to cool and thicken. It’s easier to work with when it’s hot.

Recipe from here - http://www.bakerella.com/red-velvet-cake-balls/

Sherried pineapple pork tenderloin

I've always loved Cooking Light recipes so when I saw their cookbook '5-Ingredient Cookbook: Fresh Food Fast' I just knew I had to have it. Unfortunately it was one of those books I set aside forever - until yesterday...I started browsing and easily bookmarked about 25 or more pages of recipes I can't wait to try. And I also tried 2 out which were fantastic and SO easy - here they are:

Sherried Pineapple Pork Tenderloin
A thick and glossy sauce makes any dish feel elegant, but this one takes all of five minutes to make. The Red Cabbage and Carrot Slaw is a great side with this.

1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (1-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed
Cooking spray
1 (6-ounce) can pineapple juice
2 tablespoons sugar - I used brown sugar
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

1. Sprinkle pepper evenly over pork.
2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray; add pork. Cook pork 3 to 4 minutes or until browned, turning occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook 10 minutes. Turn pork over; cook 10 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160° (slightly pink).
3. Place pork on a cutting board; let stand 3 minutes. Cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
4. While pork stands, combine pineapple juice and remaining 3 ingredients; add to pan drippings. Bring to a boil; boil 5 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup. Spoon sauce over pork slices.

Red Cabbage and Carrot Slaw
2 cups matchstick-cut carrots
3/4 cup very thinly sliced red cabbage
3 tablespoons unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
1/8 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl, tossing gently to coat.

Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

The better-for-you chocolate chip cookies! I made these last night using a recipe from Slice of Feist via the Crepes of Wrath, which had been adapted from the Chicago Sun Times. You follow?

Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil


• 3/4 cup granulated sugar


• 3/4 cup brown sugar


• 2 eggs


• 2 1/4 cup flour (I used about 2 cups white flour and 1/4 cup whole wheat flour)


• 1 teaspoon vanilla


• 1 teaspoon salt


• 1 teaspoon baking soda


• 1 cup chocolate chips


• A dash of milk, approximately 1 tablespoon
  

Instructions

Combine sugars and oil. Add eggs. Add vanilla and remaining dry ingredients. Add milk. Stir in chocolate chips. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 375 degrees.

Notes: I was afraid these would taste like olive oil, but they didn't! The cookies were chewy and tasty and heart healthy (well, at least a little healthier than the butter/margarine/shortening variety). This will probably become my go-to option for chocolate chip cookies because now I can eat more with less guilt.

Stuffing 101

With turkey day just around the corner, I'm wondering if anyone has any good home-made stuffing tricks, ideas, suggestions...? How do you make yours? I've made it in the past with basic herbs and am trying to think of something new. I'm actually probably skipping the traditional turkey this year and making lamb chops with a pomegranate reduction but still want the stuffing! So something that would work with that..

Then again I'm also considering making duck- I've never cooked it though so am a bit intimidated...

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins

I initially wanted to make Camby's chocolate zucchini bread, but didn't have unsweetened chocolate bars on hand. Unsure how to work around that essential ingredient, I turned to Google for similar recipes...and I found this from Penzeys Spices. Very, very delicious.

(Source)

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup room temperature butter (1 stick)
  
• 1/2 Cup vegetable oil
  
• 1 3/4 Cups white sugar
  
• 2 large eggs
  
• 2 tsp. vanilla
  
• 1/2 Cup milk mixed with 1/4 tsp. white vinegar (i.e., sour milk)
  
• 2 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
  
• 4 TB. cocoa powder
  
• 1 tsp. baking soda
  
• 1/4-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  
• 1/2 tsp. salt
  
• 2 Cups peeled and finely grated zucchini - 3 small zucchini
  
• 1 Cup chocolate chips
  
• 1/4 Cup chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°. Line 2 standard muffin pans with papers. In a large bowl, mix butter, oil and sugar until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla and sour milk. Blend well. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add to the butter mixture and stir by hand to combine. Add grated zucchini and half the chocolate chips and stir well. Spoon the batter evenly into the pans, filling each paper 2/3 full. Sprinkle the other half of the chocolate chips and nuts on top and bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

NOTES: I don't use cupcake papers; I just grease and flour the muffin wells. Extra chocolate chips makes these extra delicious.

Enjoy!

Greek salad dressing and the salad, too

This salad dressing is the root cause of why practically half of the meals I consumed in August either involved Greek salads or had me wishing I had a Greek salad in front of me.

I found it at a random TV station's Web site that popped up during a Google search for "Panera greek salad dressing recipe." Their recipe makes two cups, but since I half it and only make one cup at a time, I'm posting my halfsies recipe along with my modifications and secret ingredient. The original recipe is available at the link above.

Jennifer's WBIR Panera Greek Salad Dressing

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced green onion
• 1 teaspoon oregano
  
• 1 teaspoon basil (I used dried, but you could do fresh, too)
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon or whole-grain mustard
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Squeeze of lemon juice (Secret ingredient that MAKES this dressing. Not sure how much I actually squeeze in here. Maybe about a small wedge's worth)
• 1/2 cup and 2 Tablespoons olive oil

Whisk together all ingredients except olive oil in a mixing bowl. Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking.

For the salad itself, I go with romaine lettuce, kalamata olives, red onions, grape or cherry tomatoes and feta. If you like cucumbers, those would fit in nicely as well. The salad is best tossed with the dressing so everything is coated. Drizzling the dressing on top just doesn't cut it. Enjoy!

How Low Can You Go Challenge

Did you ladies hear All Things Considered How Low Can You Go family dinner challenge? I happened to be listening the day one of the winners of the challenge was on, talking about her Dal, Chilean style recipe. In addition to NPR listeners, chefs also submitted recipes like $9 Mac-n-cheese.

Here was the challenge: Feed a group of four for under $10. Bonus points for dishes that seem more expensive.

So I was thinking...what if we did our own $10 meal challenge? Could be very interesting to see what we come up with, especially those of us who feed hungry menfolk who need meat with their meals. Let me know what you think and we'll go from there.

Italian Easter Bread

Not sure if there are any other Italians in the group- or anyone who has tasted this delicious bread but I found this blog and loved her pics...I could almost taste the bread!

http://theitaliandish.blogspot.com/2008/03/italian-easter-bread.html

My Mom has made Easter bread alot like this every year since I can remember. I've never made it yet myself and contemplated doing it this year but alas I do not have a Kitchenaid mixer so I'm not sure I can..it would be alot of work just by hand! Maybe next year...

Try me, Please?

Sooooo, this is going to sound weird. I'm working on something at work where we are tying in the benefit of something to a recipe. Sort of like this:

Benefit = recipe for success and recipe = characteristic of the benefit

The recipes have to be fairly simple and not have 800 years worth of instructions. I'm trying to do a variety of recipes and am already including bread/breakfast (strawberry bread=antioxidants), meat (slow cooker chili chicken tacos=easy to assemble, no fuss) and cookies (monster cookies=lots of disparate ingredients come together all yummy). I found all of these other recipes online and need to try them out before publicly giving them two thumbs up and distributing them into the world.

I'll be trying some of them, but I'd love it if any of you were piqued enough to make them yourselves. If you do try them within the next two weeks, give me a shout and let me know if they are any good. Gracias!

Apple, Pear and Walnut Salad

2 T red wine vinegar
2 1/2 T orange juice
1 orange, zested
1/2 C raisins or craisins
4 apples, preferably use 2 to 3 different kinds
2 pears, preferably red and green
2/3 C walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
2 T extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large bowl whisk together vinegar, orange juice, zest, and raisins. Core and cube apples and pears. Add fruit and walnuts to a bowl and drizzle with oil. Toss well to combine. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

Special Fried Rice with Carrots

2 3/4 C water
1 1/2 C white rice
3 T vegetable or wok oil, 3 turns of the pan
2 eggs, beaten
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 inches fresh ginger, minced or grated
1/2 C shredded carrots, available in pouches in produce section, a couple of handfuls
1 small red bell pepper, diced
4 scallions, thinly sliced on an angle
1/2 C frozen peas
1/3 C Tamari, dark aged soy sauce

Bring water to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat, cover and cook over medium low heat until tender, 15 to 18 minutes. Spread rice out on a cookie sheet to quick cool it.

Heat a wok, wok shaped skillet or large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add oil to the pan. Add egg to hot oil and break into small bits as it scrambles. When eggs are scrambled, add garlic and ginger to the pan. Add carrots, pepper, scallions to the pan and quick stir-fry veggies 2 minutes.

Add rice to the pan and combine with veggies. Fry rice with veggies 2 or 3 minutes. Add peas and soy sauce to the rice and stir fry 1 minute more, then serve.

Broccoli and Bow Ties

Kosher salt
8 C broccoli florets (4 heads)
1/2 lb farfalle (bow tie) pasta
2 T unsalted butter
2 T olive oil
1 t minced garlic
1 lemon, zested
1/2 t ground black pepper
1 t lemon juice
1/4 C toasted pine nuts
Freshly grated Parmesan, optional

Cook the broccoli for 3 minutes in a large pot of boiling salted water. Remove the broccoli from the water with a slotted spoon or sieve. Place in a large bowl and set aside.

In the same water, cook the bow-tie pasta according to the package directions, about 12 minutes. Drain well and add to the broccoli.

Meanwhile, in a small saute pan, heat the butter and oil and cook the garlic and lemon zest over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Off the heat, add 2 t salt, the pepper, and lemon juice and pour this over the broccoli and pasta. Toss well. Season to taste, sprinkle with the pine nuts and cheese, if using, and serve.

To toast pine nuts, place them in a dry saute pan over medium-low heat and cook, tossing often, for about 5 minutes, until light brown

Soft Dough Pretzels

1 1/2 c. water
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
2-2 1/2 c. flour
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp. water
Coarse salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat water to 120 degrees. In large bowl, combine 2 cups flour and yeast, sugar, salt and warmed water. Mix for 3 minutes. Add 2 cups flour and continue kneading for 3 minutes. If dough is sticky, knead in enough of remaining 1/2 cup flour to form a soft dough.

Shape into a ball. On a floured surface, cut into 16 pieces and roll with hands into approximately 12 inch ropes. Shape as pretzels and put on foil covered cookie sheets. Beat egg yolks and 1 tablespoon water until well blended. Coat dough with egg mixture and sprinkle with salt. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. Remove from cookie sheets and cool on wire racks.

Whoopie Pies!

Ok, I know these aren't Irish in sticking with the theme, but just saw this on Yahoo and how good do these sound?! Like a trip down memory lane too... :)

Whoopie Pies

FOR THE CAKES:
1/4 pound (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup buttermilk

FOR THE BUTTERCREAM FILLING:
3 large egg whites
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 pound butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon sea salt.

1. For the cakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until light and creamy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, flour and cocoa. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, and combining well after each addition.

2. Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, scoop out 12 1/4-cup mounds of batter and place about 6 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until tops are puffed and cakes spring back when touched, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before filling.

3. For the buttercream filling: For best results, follow directions carefully, paying attention to required temperatures. Fill bottom half of a double boiler (or a medium saucepan) with an inch or two of water, and bring to a boil over high heat. In top half of double boiler (or a metal bowl), combine egg whites and sugar. Place over simmering water and whisk just until sugar is dissolved and temperature reaches 180 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.

4. Using a whisk attachment on a heavy-duty mixer, whisk egg whites and sugar on high until they double in volume and become thick and shiny. Continue to whisk until cool. Reduce speed to medium and begin to add butter about 1/2 tablespoon at a time, until all the butter is incorporated. Add vanilla and salt. If mixture looks curdled, continue to whisk until it is smooth. Increase speed to high and whisk for 1 more minute. Use immediately or place in an airtight container and chill for up to 3 days, whisking buttercream again before using.

5. For assembly: Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, place 1/4 cup buttercream on flat side of each of 6 cakes, spreading it to edges. Top filled half with another cake to sandwich the buttercream. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months.
Yield: 6 pies.

Reuben Dip

I'm making this dip for a little work pot luck tomorrow. I'm not quite sure how reubens are connected to St. Patrick's Day (they seem German to me), but I won't let that stop me!

Ingredients
1 can sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
6 oz. shredded swiss cheese
6 oz. cubed or shredded corned beef
8 oz. block of cream cheese
2 Tablespoons Thousand Island dressing

Directions
Drain and rinse sauerkraut. In a crockpot, mix sauerkraut with swiss cheese and cream cheese. Add corned beef and Thousand Island. Cover and heat on low, stirring occasionally. Serve with crackers or cocktail rye bread.

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

My mom introduced me to this biscotti recipe a couple months back, and, even though it calls for just one teaspoon of citrus, I think it's worthy of citrus month. It's from Giada de Lauretiis and the Food Network. They call it holiday biscotti; I call it cranberry pistachio biscotti. (Recipe source)

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
2/3 cup dried cranberries
12 ounces good-quality white chocolate, chopped

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar, butter, lemon zest, and salt in a large bowl to blend. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in the pistachios and cranberries.

Form the dough into a 13-inch long, 3-inch wide log on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 40 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.

Place the log on the cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2 to 3/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the biscotti, cut side down, on the baking sheet. Bake the biscotti until they are pale golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer the biscotti to a rack and cool completely.

Stir the chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until the chocolate melts. Dip half of the biscotti into the melted chocolate. Gently shake off the excess chocolate. Place the biscotti on the baking sheet for the chocolate to set. Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm, about 35 minutes.

The biscotti can be made ahead. Store them in an airtight container up to 4 days, or wrap them in foil and freeze in resealable plastic bags up to 3 weeks.

Notes: You can skip the dipping in chocolate part if you'd like. Also, I think, adding white chocolate chips to the batter would achieve the same effect as dipping in chocolate.

A holiday fav..cupcake, not cookie!

BLACK BOTTOM CUP-CAKES
* Original recipe yield 2 dozen regular sized cupcakes or about 4 dozen mini

INGREDIENTS
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3 cup white sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line muffin tins with paper cups or lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt until light and fluffy. Stir in the chocolate chips and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, 1 cup sugar, cocoa, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Make a well in the center and add the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Stir together until well blended. Fill muffin tins 1/3 full with the batter and top with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture. * I tend to add more then a "dollop" because there's always plenty of the creamcheese mixture and its my favorite part of the cupcake!

4. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

New Holiday Recipes

Every year I make at least one holiday cookie, bar or bread. I never stray from the recipes of my childhood (my Aunt Carol's chocolate peanut butter balls, my Grandma June's lemon bread, a mint chocolate fudge recipe from my mom). Last year I got crazy sick on the weekend I was going to make treats, so this year I'm making up for lost time AND making something new.

Next weekend I'll be making lemon bread (and freezing some to take to my dad), but I'll also be trying two recipes from the new Everyday Food magazine. I'll be giving these two a try:

Chocolate Gingerbread Bars
Icebox Cookies

I'll let you know how they turn out. Photo from Martha.

New favorite cookie

Ok so here I finally go with a cookie recipe.. Honestly I can't say its my favorite holiday cookie because we've never had it before on a holiday, in fact I've only ever had the cookie once in my life but damn was it a GOOD cookie! I think in the one taste I had, it may have become the best cookie I ever tasted and will hopefully become a holiday staple for me going forward! In case you're wondering how I had it once, it was at a wine tasting event and the cookies were prepared by one of Pittsburgh's top pastry chefs who was nice enough to share her recipe with my Mom so here it is:

Italian Baci

9 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
pinch salt
1/3 cup dark rum

Whip together above ingredients and set aside.
* If you want chocolate almond baci add 3 cups crumbled almond paste to whipped yolks. (I would recommend adding the almond paste because it was devine with it included!)

Melt together 30 oz. bittersweet semisweet chocolate, 6 oz. unsweetened chocolate, and 6 oz. unsalted. Fold melted & whipped mixtures together. Stir in 1 7/8 cups all purpose flour, and 2 1/4 tsp. baking powder. Chill dough. After dough has chilled, use melon-scoop and drop about an inch apart on parchment paper to bake.

Bake 8-10 minutes at 325 - watch carefully as you don't want to overbake.

Enjoy!

Next Favorite- holiday cookie!

Ok so we've all been slacking since Amanda has been off sampling the world's finest gelato, pizzas and pasta, and I don't know about all of you but I think she will come back feeling disappointed at our lack of keeping this blog in tact and current during her absence! ;) SO, I'm going to suggest our final favorite of this month, and maybe the year since we will all be bombarded with other things in the upcoming month....

Favorite holiday cookies, so get posting ladies and I promise to post mine as well hopefully this weekend!

Pumpkin Bars - favorite fall dessert

This is the only pumpkin bars recipe you will ever need. It's always perfectly moist without being gooey. And it's not just for fall; I tend to think it hits the spot any old time of the year.

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1 t cinnamon
1 cup mashed pumpkin
1 cup flour

Instructions
Combine sugar, oil and eggs. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Pour into lightly greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 30 min. at 325 degrees.

Frosting
Combine the following and spread over cooled bars.
3/4 stick butter
3 oz. cream cheese
Dash of salt
1 t. vanilla
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 T milk

NOTES: I usually make a double batch, using one 15 oz. can of pumpkin and cooking it in a 10.5" x 15" pan. The frosting recipe makes plenty without having to double it.

Favorite Fall Dessert - Pumpkin Dip

I'm not sure that this is 100% my favorite fall dessert but it is delish and super easy to make! I got the recipe from a girl at work. You can pair it with Graham Cracker sticks or whatever suits you.

1 15oz can of pumpkin
1 5oz package of instant vanilla pudding (don't actually make the pudding, just use the powder)
1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
1 8oz container of cool whip

Mix the first 3 ingredients together & then fold in the Cool whip. Chill it for a few hours.

At last MY comfort food!

Ok so I got behind schedule and don't have a super story- food in general has always warmed my heart and my Mom and I have always done alot of cooking together...so here's one of our many family meals and probably my favorite.

Orange Pork Chops

4 thick pork chops or a few more if smaller- salt, pepper to taste
2-4 tbs water
5 tbs sugar
1.5 ts cornstarch
1/4 ts salt
1/4 ts cinnamon and/or nutmeg
10 cloves (optional)- can also use ground to taste
2 ts grates orange rind
1/2 c OJ

Season chops w salt and pepper and brown in skillet on each side.

Turn down heat and add water, simmer turning once. Add more water as needed and until chops cooked through- I usually always use more water because it keeps the chops juicy.

In seperate small saucepan combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, rind and cloves. Simmer on low while adding juice gradually so it does not lump- using a whisk also helps. Simmer until slightly thickened. * Just a note, the sauce is always everyone's favorite part so we make a double batch and put some over the chops and add to rice too!