Pumpkins Pumpkins We Love Pumpkins!

So I was reading Moneysavingmom.com (which is a GREAT blog BTW) and she writes this post on making pumpkin puree from scratch here and makes it sound easy. I get the bright idea that I should make this wonderful puree which will undoubtedly make my Thanksgiving pumpkin pies Superman good. I go to Walmart to buy the pie pumpkins (a whole lot smaller than the ones you carve) and come home thinking this is going to be a breeze! I didn't realize at the time that these little jewels would require a hacksaw to cut through opposed to the serrated knife that moneysavingmom had used! I really wish that I had taken pictures of me with the hacksaw going after these little pumpkins! It all did result in 13 Cups of pumpkin puree (most of which I froze) which I plan on making into an assortment of treats. My first attempt was White Chocolate Pumpkin Dreams which are some amazing cookies! Watch out for future additions to the pumpkin saga!

White Chocolate Pumpkin Dreams recipe

Meal Plan Week of October 25th

I'm back in the kitchen this week making cookies and pumpkin puree (more on this later). It's also a good week to use up some things I have in my freezer and take advantage of what's on sale.

Ribeyes, mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus

Best Pot Roast here

Pork Tenderloin (out of new Paula Deen)

Lasagna (going to work on a recipe b/c I usually just wing it!)

Meal Plan Week of October 18th

It's a good thing not too many people read this blog or there might be a mutiny considering this will be another "short" week for cooking! The hubby is heading out of town for a few days and I'm hoping to mooch off a friend one night for dinner and take the girls out another. Here's what's on the menu for the remainder of the week :)

Chili (I really don't use a recipe b/c I make it different each time. I usually start with "Chili Magic" and doctor it from there)

Apricot chicken (this is a new crock pot recipe that I will print if it's successful)

Sausage Breakfast Rolls recipe
Tomato soup

Week of 10-11-09

The Homestyle Meatloaf from this past week was great! I did run out of ketchup and subbed BBQ sauce instead but otherwise followed the recipe.

I'm leaving the hubby to hold down the fort and won't return until Tuesday.....then leaving again on Thursday....I doubt there will be much cooking in my kitchen next week.

Meal Plan Week of October 4th

It's a short week b/c we will be starting fall break....whoo hoooo!!! Looking forward to visiting my family and getting some time to absorb some fall inspiration.

*New Homestyle Meatloaf recipe
mashed taters
steamed veggies

Chicken roll-ups (tasted like the Oriental Chicken roll-ups at Applebee's)
2 cups cooked breaded chicken tenders, chopped
10 oz bag shredded coleslaw
1 cup chow mein noodles
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
¼ cup chopped green onion
1 cup creamy poppy seed dressing
Flour tortillas
Combine chicken, coleslaw, noodles, cheese, onion and dressing. Roll up in tortillas.

Greek-sytle Scampi
1 t olive oil
1 T minced garlic
2 (28 oz) cans diced tomato with olive oil
¼ C chopped fresh parsley
1 ½ lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 C feta with sundried tomato
¼ t black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Heat oil in pan, add garlic, tomatoes and parsley. Simmer 10 minutes. Add shrimp and cook 5 minutes
3. Pour shrimp mixture into 13x9 pan, sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 10 minutes.
4. Serve over rice or pasta

Updates on New Recipes

Beef Daube Provencal: Pretty good for a crockpot meal. A cross between pot roast and beef stew with red wine undertones.

Chicken Spaghetti: YUMMY! And really easy using the leftover chicken from the beer butt earlier in the week. I added some garlic powder as recommended by some of the reviews and I halved the recipe since we will only eat a 8 x 8. This would definitely do really well as a make ahead and also serve well as something to take a new mom.

Almond Stuffed Chicken: Pretty good. Definitely easy. I would recommend using thinner chicken breasts or they won't completely cook in the 12 min.