Seven Layer Pumpkin Bars

I made this Fall twist on an old favorite recipe on Saturday to serve alongside dessert. Pumpkin Roll was the star but these bars gave the roll a run for her money. So yummy!

I'm back with a recipe this morning and just like the good old day there are a many. many changes.

Ican'thelpit.

Six or Seven Layer Pumpkin-Ginger Bars

2 cups gingersnap crumbs

1/2 cup melted butter

1 can sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup pumpkin

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

3/4 cup white chocolate chips

3/4 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans(My guys don't like nuts in baked goods so I give in to their wishes)

1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut ( I prefer 1 cup)

  

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

In a small bowl combine the butter and crumbs and then pat into your pan. In another small bowl combine the pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk and spices. Stir and then pour over the crust.  sprinkle the coconut, the nuts and chips.  Bake for 20-30 minutes. Cool, cut and serve.

Okay, the recipe above called for an 8 x 8 pan.  I think they would have been way too thick.

I read other similar recipes with the addition of chocolate chips so I used 2/3 cup of all three types of chips. Other versions called for one cup of pumpkin.

*Next time I would use a cup of pumpkin, a bit less cinnamon and no chocolate chips.

The original recipe bake time was 25-35 minutes this was probably accounting for the 8 x 8 pan size. I'd would check them at 20 minutes.

My friend Shelly's family assembles the original 7 Layer Bars before guests arrive and then put them in the oven right before serving dinner.  Spoon the hot gooey goodness over ice cream and serve.  

Yes please!

Egg Roll Soup

It was raining on Sunday morning.  When we got home from church I knew I wanted to make some soup.  Hubby and I love soup and I make a batch almost every week in the fall and winter. I discovered Egg Roll Soup last winter and there are many recipes and variations online.  I found a good one and tweaked it just a bit.

When our guys were still at home I bought the frozen egg rolls from Costco.  With three growing boys, I kept a lot of snacks in the house. If I smelled an egg roll cooking in the microwave, I had unreal cravings to have one too.  It was crazy, like an addictivelittlechemical** crazy.  This soup is more delicious and a healthier option than frozen egg rolls.

 Egg Roll Soup

• 1 pound hot(it's more spicy than hot) Jimmy Dean sausage* 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium white onion, peeled and diced
• 3 stalks of celery, chopped - other recipes don't include celery but I think it amps it up.
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced - I use the shredded carrots and toss in until it looks like 2 carrots.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small green cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 6-8 cups chicken* or vegetable stock
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• Toppings: toasted sesame seeds, thinly-sliced green onions, store-bought won ton strips

1. Add ground pork to a stock pot and cook over medium-heat, stirring and flipping occasionally, until the pork is lightly browned.  Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pork to a bowl and set aside.
2. Add the olive oil, onions and celery, and stir to combine.  Saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the carrots and garlic, and saute for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the cabbage, stock, ginger, and cooked pork, and stir to combine.
3. Continue cooking until the soup reaches a simmer.  Then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the carrots and cabbage are nice and tender.  Stir in the sesame oil until combined.  I think the sesame oil makes the soup, so don't skip it.
4. Add your toppings and enjoy! 
5. Substitution notes:  If you prefer ground turkey or chicken, they would work.  The Jimmy Dean Hot sausage does add something to every recipe that I use it.  *If you are vegetarian or vegan use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and use mushrooms instead of sausage.

**So I Married an Axe Murderer movie reference.

Winter Random

This is a random post  that ends with a good recipe, if you stay with me that long.

*When I took the Christmas decorations down I decided to add a bit of icy, snowy decor in the kitchen window.  I am always hoping for snow and if I don't get it I can still enjoy winter in my kitchen window.

*We didn't have a snowstorm but we did have a January ice storm.

 *We didn't have power for three nights.  It's still warm and cozy with our wood stove and our gas stove in the bedroom.  I used the battery wire lights everywhere.  They really worked better than a flashlight.  I hung them in the bedroom, from the dining room chandelier and in each bathroom.

So, friends, this is my storm survival tip. Take battery lights off your Christmas decor and hang it up everywhere you need light.

*Danny and Jess got wedding reception pictures back from their photographer. I love the black and white photos.

I love the color ones too.

Is there anything better than seeing your son so happy? Nope.

Our guys clean up nice and have such nice manners.  Hubby and I are so proud of them.

Pride goes before the fall... really? a wet willie? at a formal event? If nothing else, they are humbling.

It's time for dinner and the good manners are back. 

Cheers!

It was such a fun trip and beautiful celebration.  Good memories.

*I saw a snowy, barn painting on face book and I love a good snowy, barn painting, wait, what?

It's Date and Paint at the The Mill.  I put the word out and my friends jump in to go with me.

A perfect January night out with the girls.

For me it was more fun than success. I actually prefer fun over success so it was a win.

We did decide that if we do it again we would go earlier for dinner as it is too difficult to paint and eat and sip.  My painting will be proudly displayed in the attic, where all manner of things go in our house.

*We celebrated my Mom's birthday with dinner at our house.  It was fun and Mom was having an "on day".  We aren't sure where she should be living.  She has good times and some very unhappy times. Dementia sucks.

*I haven't redecorated the house since I took down Christmas.  I am enjoying the blank canvas. 

*One of my commitments in the new year is to do some meal planning and to try new recipes. I made Egg Roll Soup and it is delicious. I was going to blog the recipe but let's just go with a link as I haven't taken any pictures of the soup.  I used Hot Jimmy Dean Sausage, because it is our favorite and has a lot of flavor and I added some celery.  The Safeway won tons next to the croutons are good, don't bother frying won tons.

*Happy January, my friends. Don't be too hard on yourselves this month.  New beginnings, fitness and a good diet, resolutions, changes, all good stuff unless they are bringing you down. 

You've got this!

Founder's Brewery Beer Cheese Dip

We enjoyed the beer cheese dip at Founder's Brewery in Grand Rapids.  I googled and Founder's Brewery is super gracious because they shared the recipe.  They have other recipes too.  I'd like to make the soup next.  

I made the dip for the lighted Christmas parade on Saturday evening.  I took one picture when it came out of the oven.  I was in the moment Saturday evening. We watched the parade at Bill and Jodi's house.  It's the perfect parade venue.

Founder's Brewery Beer Cheese Dip

• (1) 8 oz. block of cream cheese
• 2 oz. grated smoked Gouda cheese
• 1/2 cup Centennial IPA *I found it at Target.
• Small handful of baby spinach
• 1/2 small red bell pepper (diced) *I sauteed the red pepper and garlic in a bit of butter to soften)
• 1 clove of garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon Dirty Bastard mustard  *I used Trader Joe's whole grain Dijon since I couldn't get it from Founders.
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning *I made my own with some oregano, rosemary, red pepper and basil.

Got all that? Here are your next steps:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F), combine all ingredients and bake for 35-45 minutes, stirring halfway through.  If desired, broil the dip for 5 minutes for additional crust/color on top.  Serve with toasted bread and tortilla chips.

*I cut, buttered and broiled a baguette and served with tortilla chips too.

*While the dip is baking, drink the rest of the IPA.  This is probably my best tip for the dip!

Meanwhile...

I am decorating for Christmas, cleaning the house, taking care of my wedding list and subbing.  It's a tad crazy here but all good stuff.

 The trailer park is set up.

 The tree is up and almost finished.  What's missing?

Tinsel, my friends, one by one strand of tinsel.  I'll be tinseling until next week.

 Hubby and I are trying Hello Fresh this week.  I'll share my opinion in another post.

So far, so good.  It does discipline me to actually make dinner.  Which, of late, has been sketchy.

Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese

Hubby and I hosted a birthday dinner party for a friend this fall.  I love an excuse to use my Grandma's wheat dishes and to try new recipes.  We served some fall favorites such as pork loin and stuffing and made some  new fall favorites.

To start the evening we enjoyed a beer tasting. I made new recipes for the appetizers. I made Maple Bacon Crack, it's popular on Pinterest.  And I made Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese.  It was the star of the show!

Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 sweet potatoes large- I used three red sweet potatoes.
• 5 oz goat cheese
• 1/3 c candied walnuts or pecans- I didn't candy the pecans and I used chopped pecans
• 1/3 c cranberries dried
• 2 tbsp balsamic reduction *I used Nonna Pia's but Safeway Select has a good one too.
• 1 tsp sea salt + more to taste
• 1/2 tsp paprika sweet- I used regular paprika and I shook it a lot into the bag.
• 2 tbsp olive oil + more as needed
• 1 tbsp blood orange olive oil- Drizzle in Lynden carries this olive oil.  They ship.
• 3 tbsp wild honey- I used regular honey.
• Zest from 1 lemon
• 15 leaves basil small, for garnish-Can be skipped.

   Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F.

1. In a small bowl combine the olive oil, sea salt and paprika. *I used a gallon zip bag.
2. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1 inch thick rounds.*I cut them less than one inch and the second time I made them I cut them to 1/2". I did this ahead of time and stored them in the fridge with the oil, salt and paprika in the bag.  When camping I roasted them before and then put them on my griddle in the trailer to reheat.
3. Take each sweet potato round and coat it in the olive oil mixture all over. Place them on a large baking tray without touching each other. *I put them on parchment paper for easy clean up.
4. Bake the sweet potato rounds for 8 to 10 minutes on each side until golden. *I baked them until they were done and caramelized.
5. Transfer to a serving tray and top with the goat cheese, candied pecans, and cranberries. Spoon a little bit of wild honey on top of each potato round and sprinkle with the lemon zest. *I used Safeway brand goat cheese. I used pecans because walnuts are not my favorite.  I used pieces of pecans but you could use whole and mine were not candied. I tapped the goat cheese, cranberries and pecans down a bit. Just to keep things together. I used the honey in a little bear. I'm not Martha so I didn't have time to run out and harvest some wild honey.
6. Just before serving finish with a light drizzle of orange infused olive oil, the balsamic glaze and garnish with the fresh basil leaves. *I forgot the basil leaves and no one noticed. When I took this recipe camping I didn't even pack my basil plant. One more thing might have tipped me over.
7. FYI- Since I used three potatoes I used more of the other ingredients and I cut them about a half inch so I ended up with more appetizers. I drizzled the honey, the balsamic glaze and the blood orange olive oil without measuring. I zest the lemon over the potatoes right before serving. 

 I took this appetizer to my last camping trip.  It was easy to roast the potatoes and take them along ready to be topped.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Easter Basket Cookies

I haven't made these cookies for Easter since the boys were little but I guess I was feeling nostalgic and I wanted to bring back this Easter tradition. They are a fun treat while you're waiting for the Easter Egg Hunt to begin.

Chocolate No Bake Cookies aka Easter Basket Cookies

2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup butter (some recipes call for 1/4 cup)

4 T. cocoa

1/3 cup milk

3 cups quick oats

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup peanut butter

In a sauce pan, combine coca, butter, milk and sugar. Bring to a boil  and boil between 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Do not boil longer.

Remove from heat and add oats, peanut butter and vanilla.  Stir all together.  Drop by scoop or spoonful onto waxed paper.  I use the medium scoop and my mini muffin tin from Pampered Chef.  Or my small scoop for the dropped version.  I sprayed my tin with cooking oil and they popped right out of the muffin tin.

The muffin tin gives a basket shape and the spoonfuls give a nest shape.

Press three small jelly beans into each cookie for the eggs.

I think they turned out okay this time but honestly Rice Krispie Bars and Chocolate No Bake Cookies are my nemesis in the kitchen. The struggle is real and y'all know that I can bake.

Happy Easter!

*Reminder, no one pays me to write this drivel or recipes.  Pampered Chef or Rice Krispies pay me nada.

Good, Beautiful, Bad and Best

THE GOOD:

In a very official drawing on the dining room table I chose a cook book winner.

Adie S. is the winner!  I'll get it to you, Adie.  Congratulations!

I wish I could give everyone a copy but that's not possible.

THE BEAUTIFUL:

 On Saturday I got to go wedding dress shopping with Kassie.  She intended to just look and get an idea of what was available.  So many choices.

 In between shops we had brunch and a mimosa.

 Kassie's Mom, Grandma and sisters came with her too.  Her Grandma Catalina was so cute.  She kept whispering to me, I can get her a sweater.  The Spanish word for a crinoline is very pretty, I wish I could pronounce it like Catalina.  She told me that she always tells Max that he is so tall and handsome.

I told her, well stop it.  We don't need that guy getting all full of himself.

Kassie found a gorgeous dress and it seemed that everyone in the shop was holding their breath until she said YES.  There was cheering and applause throughout the shop.  I don't think Kassie realized how beautiful she looked and that all eyes were on her.  The mamas cried.

THE BAD:

 I cannot stand this Northeast stinkin' wind any more!  I love cold and I love snow but the wind! Ugh!

I hate those 50 mph gusts!

THE BEST:

So I am counting the days until my sunny trips start.  First Palm Springs and then Maui this Spring.

I know I am spoiled.  Poolside. Poolside. Poolside is my favorite word.

Going to the beach, going to the beach, going to the beach is my favorite sentence.

Aloha, stay warm, my friends!

If your power goes out I do have wood heat so come on over.

luv, mum

I am still taking down the Christmas decorations here at the Stone House. It's grueling when you are a Christmas junkie.  I have one tree up yet and I keep hoping little January fairies will come and take it down for me.  I have tried to clean each room as I go so things are shaping up around here.

We had a lovely Christmas and New Year.  I have recovered from my cold and I am still working through the cracked ribs from my fall.  All in all, it's all good.

For Christmas this year I wrote my guys and their gals a cookbook.  I think everyone remembers this post, This Isn't Epicurious.   It pushed me to create an organized recipe book for my family.

When I have a serious or loving text for my guys I sign it, luv, mum.  The cookbook is a serious and loving message, hence the title.

I used Create My Cookbook online to help me get this book written.

I chose it because it was easy to move pages, it offered dividers and it let me use my own photos.

There were many page formats too.  Such as fitting two recipes or a recipe and a photo on a page.

The guys have texted Hubby many times for his Kettle Corn recipe.

It also let me add notes, such as the one on the Cranberry Fluff recipe where I hope and note that someday they all grow up and love fluff at Thanksgiving dinner too.

 I had to include Blake because he ate at our house a lot and no one eats Molten Lava Potatoes without thinking of Blake.

 The Hot Chocolate Cookies are a favorite at Mt. Baker.

And of course, a little subtle humor.  On the dinner tab I used a photo of Hubby and I dancing and singing our song, because I don't always feel like making dinner.  I should have labeled it mom, Mom, MOM, What's For Dinner?

I included two and a half pages of dinner ideas in addition to all of the dinner recipes.  Somethings don't need a recipe, such as tacos or grilled cheese or calling out for pizza.

Each book came with a code so they can get the cookbook as an app.  This is great if someone is in the grocery store and forgot the list of ingredients. I'm already loving the app.

Create My Cookbook did not pay me to share my experience or to make my book.  Once again NO ONE pays me to write this drivel.

Since there was an error with the printing I do have an extra sub par copy of the book.

If you'd like to win this copy I will have a drawing next Monday.  All you need to do is leave me a comment on the blog, face book does not count.

Bon Appetit!