Tex-Mex Pumpkin Patties

I know this blog is overwhelmed with tex-mex recipes, but they are my favorite!! Anything I can garnish with sour cream and avocados are delicious. This one was very good. It had the texture of a crabcake, but with no meat and a spicy kick. I loved them! Recipe from familyfun website.

Ingredients:
2 slices firm sandwich bread (I let mine sit on the counter for a couple of hours to dry out)
several leaves of italian parsley, chopped (I used cilantro)
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs, and a little extra for coating
3/4 cup grated cheese (cheddar or monterey jack)
1 1/2 Tbsp canola oil
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green or red bell pepper
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup ricotta
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp butter

In mixing bowl combine crumbled bread, bread, crumbs, parsley (or cilantro), and grated cheese. Set aside. Heat oil in skillet and saute onion, pepper, and corn for about 7 minutes or until soft. Add garlic, chili powder, and cumin and cook another minute. Remove from heat and add to bread mixture. In large bowl combine egg, ricotta, and pumpkin. Add bread crumb mixture, salt, and pepper and gently combine. Flour hands and form 3/4 inch patties (about 1/3 cup), dredge in bread crumbs, and set aside for about 1 1/2 hours. I was able to make about 8 patties. Melt butter in skillet and cook patties for about 4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Jill

Chicken Peanut Thai Noodles

I really liked these noodles!! Lucas devoured his bowl and loved having it the next day for lunch too. I got this recipe from the blog, Picky Palate. She has a lot of great recipes, but this has been my favorite so far.

Ingredients:
1 lb whole wheat spaghetti noodles
2 Tbsp sesame oil
1 clove of garlic (i used minced)
1 inch piece of ginger, peeled (I omitted)
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter (I used natural pb)
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup hot water
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup white onion, chopped
1/2 cup red or orange bell pepper, chopped (I omitted bc i didn't have in my fridge)
1 cup cooked chicken, chopped (i seasoned mine with curry, etc)
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves (I used more - large handful)
1/2 tsp salt
garnish with dry roasted peanuts or sesame seeds. I used sesame seeds!

Cook noodles according to package directions, drain, rinse in cold water, then toss with sesame oil. Set aside. Add garlic and ginger to food processor and chop. Add PB, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and red pepper flakes to food processor and blend. Slowly add water and blend some more. Set aside. Heat olive oil in skillet and saute onion and bell pepper for a few minutes. Then add chicken, cilantro, and salt and cook another few minutes. Toss chicken mixture with noodles and pour sauce over the top. Sprinkle with peanuts or sesame seeds and enjoy!

Daniel Fast Option: Substitute tofu for chicken. I need to check if you can get soy sauce without preservatives, hmmm....that could be a tough one. You will have to omit the brown sugar as well.
FOUND SOY SAUCE - Trader Joes.
Jill

Pizza Rolls

This is probably an obvious recipe, but it was the first time I had ever tried it. I had some delicious leftover marinara sauce that I needed to use so I threw this together for lunch. The kids loved it!!

Ingredients:
1 tube of crescent rolls
marinara sauce
shredded cheese
canadian bacon slices (could also use pepperoni)

Directions:
Unroll all crescent rolls. Place one dollup of red sauce at center. Add cheese and meat. Roll them up and baking according to crescent roll directions. Can add whatever pizza toppings you choose. Possibilities are endless!

Jill

Curried Pumpkin Apple Soup

Okay, I realize this sounds very odd. It is definitely not a soup for everyone, but we LOVED it! It smelled wonderful and was very tasty. Kailyn drank her bowl so it was a hit. I served this soup with cornbread and a salad. It really hit the spot on a cool fall evening. I got this recipe from the Family Fun website. They have fun recipes that I like to try from time to time.

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp butter

1 onion, chopped

1 cup of celery, chopped

1/2 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped (I just used the whole apple)

2 tsp mild curry powder (I used more, prob 3 tsp)

3 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin

1/4 tsp salt

1 bay leaf

1/3 cup heavy cream (I used whole milk)

2-3 Tbsp honey or maple syrup (I used 2tbsp of honey)

sour cream and chives for garnish

Directions:

Melt butter in large saucepan. Add onion, celery, and apple. Cook over med-high heat, partially covered, for about 8 minutes or until onions are clear. Stir in curry powder (and I added a couple shakes of cinnamon as well) and cook another minute or so. Add 1 cup of chicken broth and let cook one more minute. Place everything from saucepan into blender or food processor,add pumpkin, and pulse until smooth. Pour all ingredient back into saucepan, add the rest of the chicken broth and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook for about 5 minutes. Then add cream (or milk) and honey allowing to simmer for a few more minutes. Serve hot with sour cream and chives if desired.

For a vegan alternative - omit butter and saute with olive oil. Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and use soy or coconut milk in place of cream. For Daniel Fast, use vegan alternative and organic (no preservatives) pumpkin and honey.

Jill

Taco Pasta Salad

I just made this with some pasta shaped like cats and the kids loved it! It was easy and tasty. The recipe was on the package of the pasta.

Ingredients:
14 oz pkg pasta
2 lbs ground beef
2 pkgs taco seasoning packets
1 15 oz can pinto beans, drained
1 lb velveeta
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles
shredded iceberg lettuce (i used romaine)
2 large tomatoes, chopped (i didn't add these)
chopped green onions, sliced black olives, sliced avocado, sour cream are optional toppings

Cook ground beef in skillet. Drain well. Add taco seasonings following packet instructions. Cook pasta according to directions, drain, and add to seasoned beef. Add pinto bean. Melt cheese over low heat and add diced tomatoes and green chiles to the cheese. Add to beef mixture after melted. Serve over lettuce or with chips.

Jill