Pumpkin Pancakes

I think I've finally perfected the pumpkin pancake!  Here is the final list of ingredients:

1 1/4 c flour
4 tsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
3/4 tsp salt
1c milk
2 eggs
1/4 c oil
1/2 can pumpkin (I think that's about a cup)

Mix, fry, and enjoy!

Mixed Berry Muffins

My son has been asking me to make muffins nearly everyday.  We made blueberry muffins on Saturday morning and last night I used the fresh raspberries and blackberries to make more muffins. 

Ingredients:
1/2c butter
1c sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2c flour
1/2 c milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract
1c berries

Preheat the oven to 375.  Cream the butter and sugar, add eggs.  Then add the baking powder and salt, mix.  Alternate adding the flour and milk.  Then add the vanilla and almond extract.  Stir in the berries.  Scoop into muffins tins and bake for 20-25 minutes!  The almond really enhances the flavor of the raspberries - yummy!

Black Bean, Corn, and Tomato Soup

I bought some corn bread mix last night at Kroger and thought it would go great with Black Bean soup.  I added a twist to the soup and it turned out great!

Saute the following in olive oil (I added a little salt and pepper to help the veggies soften):
1 chopped onion
handful baby carrots, chopped
2 cloves garlic

Once they were soft I added:
1/2 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2c veggie stock
1tsp ground coriander (approx)
1tsp oregano (approx)
3tsp or so cumin

I brought it to a boil and let it simmer for 30 minutes.  Once it had simmered, I blended it up with my immersion blender.  Then I added:

1/2 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1c frozen corn
1 chopped tomato

I simmered this for about 15-20 minutes and we were ready to eat!

Easy Pulled Pork

Our trick or treat was on Thursday, October 28, so I wanted to make something easy in the crockpot.  I put a store bought pork rub on a pork roast and plopped it into the crockpot.  I cooked it on low most of the day.  When it was nice and tender, I took it out and shredded it.  I poured the "juice" that was in the crock pot in a cup and skimmed off the fat.  I added the pork back into the crock pot and most of the "juices."  I also added some Montgomery Inn BBQ sauce.  I turned the crock pot back on just to keep it warm until we ate.  Add as much or as little of the extra juice and BBQ sauce as you like!  Easy, easy, easy dinner!

Veggie Patch Pizza

This is reminiscent of the Veggie Patch pizza at Applebee's.  I'm not sure if they even have it anymore!  To my food processor, I added:

1 red pepper
1 clove garlic
a handful of spinach
a little olive oil
salt and pepper

I pulsed for just a second or two to chop the veggies, but still chunky.  Then I added about 2oz goat cheese and a handful (about a cup) of mozzarella cheese.  I pulsed again to combine, but still wanted everything fairly chunky.  My fear was that if it wasn't chunky, it would be brown instead of red and green.  I spread this on a flatbread and baked it at 375 for about 15-20 minutes until it was melted.  The kids loved it!