Holiday Rum Nog

Many people like eggnog during the holidays, but it's pretty plain tasting and super rich.  Why not make it better with alcohol?  This festive drink is for adults only!

Ingredients:

Ice cubes (optional)

2 shots milk

2 shots eggnog

1 shot spiced rum

1/2 shot hazelnut liqueur

dash of nutmeg (optional)

Directions:

1.  Place a few ice cubes in a glass.  Add milk, eggnog, rum and liqueur.

2. Stir well, sprinkle nutmeg on top if desired.  You could also dress it up with a cinnamon stick garnish if you have any on hand. 

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Are you starting to sense a theme here?  We have a large bowl of fresh pumpkin puree at home, so we're trying as many pumpkin recipes as possible so it doesn't go to waste.  This recipe makes two pies- give one to a friend, or not, I don't judge.

Ingredients:
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese
¾ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 can pumpkin (or one pound fresh pumpkin puree)
2 store-bought pie crust shells

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Blend cream cheese, sugar and eggs with a hand mixer until smooth. Spoon ½ cup of the mixture into a small bowl and reserve for topping.
2. Add pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin to the remaining cheese mixture, mix well.
3. Pour half of the mixture into each of the pie crusts. Carefully spread topping over each pie, or try a piping technique using a ziplock bag with one corner cut off. I tried doing this in a spiral pattern- whatever works as long as it’s evenly spread across the pies.
4. Place the pies on a large cookie sheet (for stability) and bake for 45 minutes, or until the center barely jiggles when pies are gently shaken. Let cool, then refrigerate for a couple hours before serving.

Sara's Spaghetti Squash

I got this recipe from a friend- it's a hearty meal that substitutes spaghetti pasta for squash.  I added more vegetables to this version for extra flavor.  The recipe makes a ton- serves four to six people, or two with a lot of leftovers.

Ingredients:
1 spaghetti squash
2 lbs ground beef or turkey
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cans diced tomatoes with herbs (we used "Italian Style")
1 jar spaghetti sauce with herbs or vegetables
dried Italian herbs (basil, rosemary, etc.)
shredded cheese (optional)

Directions:
1. Poke the squash a few times with a knife or fork, then microwave for 12-15 minutes, until tender. Turn the squash every few minutes to ensure even cooking.
2. Let the squash cool, then slice open. Discard the seeds and stringy bits, and then scrape the pulp out with a fork. This creates the “spaghetti” look.
3. Cook the meat, red pepper, onion and garlic in a large pan until meat is browned. Place the mixture in a colander to drain out the extra grease.
4. Add the mixture back to the pan with tomatoes, spaghetti sauce and squash, mix well. Heat the pan for ten minutes on low, then season with Italian herbs to taste.
5. Divide between bowls and top with cheese if desired.

Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies

Just in time for the holidays, these cookies are crowd favorites because they contain pumpkin, chocolate, and walnuts.  You can also make an icing for the cookies, which is included in the recipe.

Ingredients:
2 ½ cups flour
1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
15 ounces pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
24 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Vanilla icing (optional):
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl, set aside.
2. Add softened butter and sugar to a large mixing bowl, beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Beat in pumpkin, eggs and vanilla extract.
3. Gradually add flour mixture to the wet mixture, beat until well combined. The cookie dough will be similar in consistency to cake batter. If you think it’s too thin, add a little more flour. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts using a large spoon or spatula.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet (or two- it makes a few dozen). Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the cookie sheets. Don’t flatten them on the cookie sheet- leave them as little mounds so they can expand.
5. Bake cookies for 15-20 minutes, until edges are lightly browned. Let cool before removing to a plate or rack. Add icing if desired.

Icing directions: combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract. Add more sugar or milk to get desired thickness, then drizzle over cookies.

Pumpkin Nut Bread!

Tis the season for yummy, spiced baked goods.  This pumpkin bread is good for any gathering, or even as a gift.  Recipe makes two loaves.  Note: if you only have one loaf pan, bake half the mixture; once the first loaf is done and the pan is cleaned, bake the second one.

Ingredients:
3 cups flour
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cups pumpkin, canned or fresh puree
4 eggs
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts)

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour two loaf pans and set aside.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Combine pumpkin, eggs, oil and nuts in a separate bowl.
4. Combine both mixtures, stir well.  Divide the mixture between the two pans.  Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Latin Style Baked Fish

This is a War Kitten version of my favorite Latin dish- stewed fish with veggies.  Serve with rice, beans or tostones (fried plantains).

Ingredients:
1 fillet Mahi Mahi (or any other fish, as long as it's a thick fillet)
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/4 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the fish on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.  Brush olive oil over the top of the fish, then season with salt, pepper and oregano. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the fish is cooked through.
2.While fish is cooking, heat pepper, onion and garlic with one tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until tender.
3. Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste, reduce heat and cook for a few minutes until heated through.
4. When fish is cooked, divide onto two plates.  Scoop the vegetable mixture on top of the fish.  Serves two.

Chicken Burrito Bowls

Mixed this up one night because the hubby is on a no-carb diet.  It was an instant hit!

Ingredients:
1 grilled chicken breast (or steak)
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 onion, diced
1/2 tomato, diced
1 small can sliced black olives
2 avocados, diced
chunky salsa (optional)

Directions:
1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place in a microwave safe bowl.
2. Add pepper, onion, tomato and olives, stir.  Microwave 1-2 minutes or until hot.
3. Add avocado and salsa, stir again. Divide between two bowls and enjoy!

Note: you can also add jalapenos, sour cream or beans if you like.