Turkey Enchiladas

Submitted by Lani M.



Yield: 8 servings

3 cups cubed cooked turkey
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup cooked long grain rice (I just used leftover brown rice.)
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup canned chopped green chilies
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cumin
8 flour tortillas (10 inches)
1 can (28 oz.) green enchilada sauce, divided
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided



1. In a large saucepan, combine first 10 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat.

2. Place 1/2 cup turkey mixture down center of each tortilla; top each with 1 teaspoon enchilada sauce and 1 T. cheese. Roll up and place seam side down in a greased 13x9 inch baking dish. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over top; sprinkle with remaining cheese.

3. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 8-10 minutes longer or until bubbly.

NOTE: We decided this would be easier and just as good to just layer in a pan rather than rolling up in the tortilla.

Pumpkin Patch Biscuits and Maple Butter

Submitted by Barb P. and Koral P.



Pumpkin Patch Biscuits

Yield: 6 biscuits

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons cold butter, divided
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup buttermilk

1. In large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine pumpkin and buttermilk; stir into crumb mixture just until moistened.

2. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 8-10 times. Pat or roll out to 1 inch thickness; cut with a floured 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter. Place 1 inch apart on a greased baking sheet.

3. Bake at 425 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Melt remaining butter; brush over the biscuits. Serve warm.



Maple Butter

1 c. sugar
1 c. maple syrup
1 c. heavy whipping cream
1 lb. butter, cut up
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Bring first three ingredients to a boil. Boil for about a minute. Pour over 1 lb. cut up butter in blender. Blend until smooth. Add 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Pour into containers & chill. Makes 5 1/2 pints.

Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle

Submitted by Lani M.



Yield: 16 servings

1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 egg
2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup hot water

FILLING/TOPPING:

2 cups cold milk
1 package (3.4 oz.) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 can (15 oz.) solid-pack pumpkin
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teasoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon rum extract



1. In large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. Combine flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition.

2. Pour into a greased 13x9 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut the gingerbread into 1/2 inch to 1 inch cubes; set aside.

3. In large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Combine the pumpkin, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon; stir into pudding. In another bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and extract; beat until stiff peaks form.

4. Set aside 1/4 cup gingerbread cubes. In a 4 quart trifle bowl or glass serving bowl, layer a third of the remaining gingerbread cubes; top with a third of the pumpkin mixture and whipped cream. Repeat layers twice. Crumble reserved gingerbread; sprinkle over top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Turkey Pot Pies

Submitted by Lani M.



Yield: 2 pies (6 servings each)

2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
3 medium carrots, cut into 1 inch slices
1 medium onion, chopped
1 celery rib, diced
2 T. butter
1 T. olive oil
6 T. all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups cubed cooked turkey
2/3 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup plus 1 T. heavy whipping cream, divided
1 T. minced fresh parsley
1 t. garlic salt
1/4 t. pepper
2 pie crust pastries
1 egg



1. In a Dutch oven, saute the potatoes, carrots, onion and celery in butter and oil until tender. Stir in flour until blended; gradually add broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the turkey, peas, 1/2 cup cream, parsley, garlic salt and pepper.

2. Spoon into two ungreased 9 inch pie plates. Roll out pastry to fit top of each pie; place over filling. Trim, seal and flute edges. Cut out a decorative center or cut slits in pastry. In a small bowl, whisk egg and remaining cream; brush over dough.

3. Cover and freeze one potpie for up to 3 months. Bake the remaining pot pie at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

4. To use frozen potpie; Remove from the freezer 30 minutes before baking. Cover edges of crust loosely with foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Reduce heat t0 350 degrees; remove foil. Bake 55-60 minutes longer or until golden brown.

Pumpkin Streusel Cheesecake Pie

Submitted by Lani M.



Serves 8

8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 pie crust
15 oz. can pumpkin
1/4 cup half-and-half
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. ground nutmeg
1/4 t. salt
2 T. all-purpose flour
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. butter, softened
2 oz. package slivered almonds, finely chopped and toasted

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. For cheesecake layer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add 1/4 cup sugar and one egg, mixing until smooth; refrigerate while preparing remaining steps. Meanwhile, for pastry, unroll pastry and fit into a 9 inch pie pan. Trim edges, leaving a 1 inch overhang. Fold under extra pastry and crimp edges as desired; set aside.

For pumpkin layer, combine pumpkin, half-and-half, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Spread cheesecake filling into pastry shell. Pour pumpkin mixture over top. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

For almond streusel topping, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter and almonds; combine well. Sprinkle topping on pie and continue baking 30 minutes, or until knife inserted comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and refrigerate.

Why I shouldn't eat pie for breakfast every day:

Nutrition facts per serving: 440 calories, 28 g fat, 12 g saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 130 mg cholestorol, 340 mg sodium, 45 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 8 g protein, 265 g sugar

However, the damage wasn't quite so bad as this because I used reduced fat cream cheese and fat free half and half. Just some secrets you can use that don't alter the taste and your waistline will thank you for it later. Your scale might, too. And who doesn't like a good "thank you" every once in awhile.

Chocolate Nut Pie

Submitted by Lani M.



unbaked pie crust
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1/2 cup (stick) of butter, melted
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
1 c. chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts, chopped

1. On a lightly floured surface, roll out unbaked pie crust. Transfer to a 9 inch pie plate; flute edges.
2. Mix eggs and vanilla.
3. Add in melted butter.
4. Mix in sugar, flour, chocolate chips and walnuts.
5. Pour into crust and bake at 350 degrees about a 1/2 an hour or until pie is a golden brown on top. (If using a convection oven, bake at 325 degrees.)

Sweet Potato Pie

Submitted by Lani M.



Yield: 8 servings

1 2/3 cups pie crust mix
1/4 cup chopped pecans
3-4 T. cold water
3 eggs
2 cans (15 oz. each) sweet potatoes, drained
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2- 2 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 t. vanilla extract
1/2 t. salt
Whipped topping and additional chopped pecans, toasted (optional).

1. In a small bowl, combine pie crust mix and pecans. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Roll out to fit a 9 inch deep-dish pie plate (They're not kidding when they say "deep-dish". I had to set some aside and bake separately like a custard or the pie would have been too full.). Transfer pastry to pie plate. Flute edges; set aside.

2. In a food processor, combine the eggs, sweet potatoes, milk, pumpkin spice, vanilla and salt; blend until smooth. Pour into pastry.

3. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees; bake 30-35 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Garnish with whipped topping and toasted pecans, if desired.

Ginger-Streusel Pumpkin Pie

Submitted by Lani M.



Yield: 8 servings

1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry
3 eggs
1 can (15 oz.) solid-pack pumpkin
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
½ cup sugar
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves

STREUSEL:

1 cup all-purpose flower
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup cold butter, cubed
½ cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup finely chopped candied OR crystallized ginger

1. On a lightly floured surface, unroll pastry. Transfer pastry to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim pastry to ½ inch beyond edge of plate; flute edges.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin, cream, sugars, cinnamon, salt, allspice, nutmeg and cloves. Pour into the pastry shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in walnuts and ginger. Gently sprinkle over filling.

4. Bake 15-25 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers.

Cranberry Wild Rice

Submitted by Lani M.



4 c. water
3/4 c. uncooked wild rice
1 small read onion, chopped
1/2 c. chopped dried cranberries
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 t. dried thyme
1 T. olive oil
2 T. pine nuts, toasted

1. In a large saucepan, bring water and rice to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 50-60 minutes or until rice is tender.

2. In a large skillet, saute the onion, cranberries, garlic and thyme in oil until onion is tender. Drain the rice if needed; stir in the onion mixture and pine nuts.

Baked Chicken and Acorn Squash

Submitted by Lani M.



2 small acorn squash (1 1/4 lbs.)
2-4 garlic cloves, minced
2 T. canola oil, divided (I used olive oil.)
4 chicken drumsticks (4 oz. each)
4 bone-in chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 lbs.), skin removed
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 T. minced fresh rosemary OR 1 t. dried rosemary, crushed
1 t. salt
1 can (15 1/4 oz.) sliced peaches, undrained

1. Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Cut each half widthwise into 1/2 in. slices; discard ends. Place slices in an ungreased 13 x 9 baking dish. Sprinkle with garlic and drizzle with 1 T. oil.

2. In a large skillet, brown chicken in remaining oil. Arrange chicken over squash. Combine brown sugar, rosemary and salt; sprinkle over chicken. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, basting with pan juices twice.

3. Pour peaches over chicken and squash. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads 180 degrees.

Pumpkin Angel Food Cake

Submitted by Lani M.



Serves 14

1 cup cooked or canned pumpkin
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
1 16 oz. package one-step angel food cake mix

Optional: 14 Tbsp. reduced-fat whipped topping, and additional ground cinnamon.

In large bowl, combine pumpkin, vanilla and spices. Set aside. In another bowl, prepare cake mix according to package directions. Fold 1/4 of the batter into pumpkin mixture. Gently fold in the remaining batter. Spoon into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan. (I used two 9 inch bread pans.) Cut through the batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on the lowest oven rack at 350 degrees for 38-44 minutes or until top is golden brown and cake springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert pan onto a wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Run a knife around sides of cake and remove to a serving plate. Garnish each slice with whipped topping and sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (with 1 Tbsp. whipped topping per slice): 151 calories, 1 g fat, 1 g saturaged fat, 33 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein

Pre-Game Chili Heat

Submitted by Lani M.



1 lb. each sausage & ground beef (I used ground turkey.)
2 cans hot chili beans
1 (16 oz.) jar of mild or hot salsa (medium's probably fine, too)
1 can red kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
1 (14.5 oz.) can of diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
8 oz. of Velveeta cheese (I used a package of Kraft Mexican blend instead... not a big Velveeta fan.)
2 teaspoons chili pepper
dash of fresh ground pepper

Brown and drain meat; add remaining (drain beans before adding). Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or use a crockpot on low for several hours. (My crockpots are little, so I had to split this recipe out into two pots. Maybe if I would have remembered to drain the beans before adding it would have all fit?)

Sugar Cookies (No Chill)

Submitted by Tia S.



I used the following recipe, as it had accolades for being easy and not needing to be chilled.

1 cup of butter
1 cup of sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 and 3/4 cups of flour

Cream butter and sugar.

Add the egg and vanilla to creamed butter and sugar.

Mix all dry ingredients and slowly add to creamed butter mix.

Roll out onto lightly floured board to desired thickness.

Cut out your shape. Bake at 400* for 7-10 minutes. (cookies should be light in color with light browning on edge)

My take on this recipe is that it could use chilling, or a lot of powdered sugar for rolling.

Pumpkin Cake from Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking

Submitted by Lani M.



Cake:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, traditional or white whole wheat (I used trad.)
1 cup whole barley flour (I used 1 cup cake flour...but am going to try Amaranth flour next time; you just need to use something lower in gluten than reg. flour)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1 3/4 cups packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree

Ginger cream cheese frosting:

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temp
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, room temp
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups (1 lb) confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 cup chopped nuts (optional, I used pecans)
1/2 cup minced crystallized ginger (kind of globby when you process it in the food processor, but it mixes in fine when you beat the frosting together)
2-4 Tbsp milk, if needed, to make frosting spreadable (needed!)

Preheat oven to 350*. Grease 13x9 pan. Whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices in a medium bowl. Mix together the brown sugar, butter and oil in a large bowl until thick and mayonnaise-like in consistency. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping the sides and bottom of bowl once or twice to be sure everything is evenly combined. Stir in the pumpkin, then the dry ingredients. Mix until evenly moistened. Transfer batter to the prepared pans. Bake until top springs back when lightly touched and the edges of the cake pull back from the pan, 33-40 min. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack before frosting.

To make the frosting: Combine butter, cream cheese and vanilla in medium bowl, and beat them together until they are light and fluffy. Add the sugar gradually, beating well. Stir in the nuts, if desired and/or ginger, then add the milk a little at a time until the frosting is a spreadable consistency.

Cranberry-Chocolate Chip pumpkin cake: Stir in 1 cup each dried cranberries and chocolate chips before baking. I meant to do this and forgot, so I put shaved chocolate on top of the frosting along with the nuts! :)

Homemade Salsa

Submitted by Lani M.



1 garden fresh tomato
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
1 green jalapeno
2 green onions
cilantro
mint

Ad lib as you see fit. Nothing better than fresh homemade salsa during tomato season.

Touch Down Cake

Submitted by Lani M.



1 package yellow cake mix (I used Devil's Food instead.)
1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup milk
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips or white chocolate chips
6 Tbsp. grated chocolate
3 Tbsp. powdered sugar

Combine cake and pudding mixes, milk, oil and eggs. Beat on low with a mixer until moist; beat on medium for 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips and 3 Tbsp. of grated chocolate. Pour into greased Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for a few minutes and remove from pan to wire rack. Let cool completely and combine remaining grated chocolate and powdered sugar; sprinkle over the top of the cake.

Dutch Honey Butter

Submitted by Lani M.




1 c. sugar
1 c. honey
1 c. heavy whipping cream
1 lb. butter, cut up
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Bring first three ingredients to a boil. Boil for about a minute. Pour over 1 lb. cut up butter in blender. Blend until smooth. Add 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Pour into containers & chill. Makes 5 1/2 pints.

Pork Chops with Onion Raisin Chutney

Submitted by Lani M.

This one's a keeper, folks. I'm not usually a raisin fan, but I liked them this way.



4 4-oz. boneless, center-cut pork loin chops (about 3/4 inch thick)
1/2 of a 12-oz. bottle lemon-pepper or herb and garlic marinade
1 Tbsp. margarine or butter (I used olive oil.)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup finely chopped red sweet pepper (I used the yellow pepper I had.)
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. finely chopped toasted walnuts
Fres sage sprigs (optional)
Steamed fresh green beans (optional)

Place the pork chops in a bag set in a bowl; add marinade. Seal bag and refigerate for 4 to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally. Drain chops, discarding marinade.

Grill pork chops on rack of an uncovered grill over medium-hot coals for 11 minutes or until juices are no longer pink, turning once.

Meanwhile, for chutney, in a medium skillet heat margarine or butter. Add onion, pepper, raisins and cloves. Cook for 4 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring often. Add vinegar and sugar; reduce heat and simmer, unocvered about 5 minutes or until liquid is nearly evaporated. Stir in nuts. Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 10 minutes.

Serve pork chops topped with some of the chutney. Garnish with sage sprigs and serve with steamed fresh green beans on teh side, if desired. Pass remaining chutney. Makes 4 main-dish servings.