It is now November and the holiday season is upon us, so is amazing food. I always want to try new ways to use pumpkin or a new baking idea in general. My family has our own class secret family recipes that I cannot share with you because of the mere fact of them being 'secret.' Don't worry though, I have some that aren't so secret and are worth a try!
1. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
There is always an over abundance of pumpkin flavored things once fall begins, so why not cookies too? All you need to do is heat up the oven to 350 degrees F, mix a few ingredients to make the dough, and bake 10-15 minutes until browned.
Ingredients:
-1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
-1 cup white sugar
-1 cup light brown sugar
-2 large eggs
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1 cup canned pumpkin puree
-3 cups all-purpose flour
-2 teaspoons baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
-1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
-1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
-2 cups (12-ounce bag) milk chocolate chips, not semisweet
-Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper
Lost or confused? Go to: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/pumpkin-chocola...
2. Pecan Squares
Basically Pecan Pie but simpler to eat. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, mix the crust, spread in saucepan, an 18 x 12 x 1 in baking sheet, and set the timer to do two sets of baking for the crust and then the whole square at once.
Crust:
-1 1/4 pounds unsalted butter, room temperature
-3/4 cup granulated sugar
-3 extra-large eggs
-3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
-4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
-1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping:
-1 pound unsalted butter
-1 cup good honey
-3 cups light brown sugar, packed
-1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
-1 teaspoon grated orange zest
-1/4 cup heavy cream
-2 pounds pecans, coarsely chopped
To read more directions go to: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/peca...
3. Provencal Potato Gratin
We have all seen your classic Potato recipe for Thanksgiving dinner and it is always good to try something new. I would attempt this dish prior to Thanksgiving meal to see if the family enjoys it, no sense in ruining a tradition with a less favorite dish.
Ingredients:
-4 large clove garlic, smashed
-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
-1 medium yellow onion, sliced
-1 red pepper, peeled, seeded and diced (3/4 cup)
-1/4 cup dry white vermouth
-2 pounds Yukon gold or other waxy potatoes (about 4 to 5), peeled
-1 cup water
-1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
-1 pound plum tomatoes
-Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
-1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
The rest of the directions can be found at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-ki...
4. Creamed Corn Bread
A quick and easy recipes that takes 15 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook. Another great side during this wonderfully delicious season.
Ingredients:
-2 cups yellow cornmeal
-1 teaspoon kosher salt
-1 tablespoon sugar
-2 teaspoons baking powder
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-1 cup buttermilk
-2 eggs
-1 cup creamed corn
-2 tablespoons canola oil
Directions at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/cre...
5. Perfect Cranberry Sauce
Very few people have the perfect recipe for cranberry sauce and it often finds itself sitting on the table empty, or maybe that is just how it works at my family Thanksgivings.
Ingredients:
-12-ounce bag of fresh or frozen cranberries; 1/2 cup to a small bowl; 1 cup sugar; 1 strip orange or lemon zest; 2 tablespoons water
Directions at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-ki...
6. Neely's Holiday Cornbread Stuffing
What is Thanksgiving without stuffing? I know everyone probably has their own family recipe for stuffing, I know my family does. But no harm or foul in trying a new recipe once and awhile.
Ingredients:
-3/4 pounds bacon, cut into chunks
-2 large onions, chopped
-4 ribs celery, chopped
-1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
-1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
-2 cups chopped pecans
-2 (16-ounce) bags dried corn bread stuffing mix
-4 cups chicken broth
-1/2 stick butter
Directions at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gin...
7. Cinnamon Bun Turkeys
Nothing says breakfast like Cinnamon Buns and Bacon. A cute little thing to try that will warm your stomach as much are your heart when looking at these delicious creations.
Ingredients:
Dough:
-1/2 cup whole milk
-2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (from a 1/4-ounce package)
-1/4 cup granulated sugar
-4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the bowl
-1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
-1 large egg yolk
-2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting (see Cook's Note)
-3/4 teaspoon fine salt
-1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Filling:
-1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, very soft, plus more for coating the pan
-1/3 cup granulated sugar
-2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Decorative Details:
-12 pecan halves
-24 dried currants
-24 slices thick-cut cooked bacon
Glaze:
-1 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
-1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
-4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
-1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-ki...
8. Apple Pie
Yes, yes a fall classic. Once of my personal favorites. I think that my family recipe is one of the best I've had, but maybe the opinion is to biased. Since I can't give you my secret recipe I can give you someone close enough. Best way to eat is warm with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.
Ingredients:
Filling-
-3 pounds mixed apples (such as Golden Delicious, McIntosh and Pink Lady)
-2/3 cup sugar
-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
-6 tablespoons unsalted butter
-1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-Pinch of ground cloves
-Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Crust:
-2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
-1/4 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
-1 teaspoon salt
-1/4 cup vegetable shortening
-1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
-2 large eggs
Directions at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-ki...
Now there are thousands of recipes to try for your own and http://www.foodnetwork.com is a site filled many delicious recipes to try for anytime of the year. If you're bored of your everyday meals, then try some of their recipes to spice things up a bit! Happy Cooking!
