Pumpkin Stew

This stew is really yummy, especially on a crisp, fall day. 

2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 cups beef broth
2 pounds small new potatoes
4 carrots, sliced, or 1/2 pound baby carrots
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 onion, choppped
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon graound black pepper
1 teaspoon Lawry's seasoning salt (optional)
1 can (14.5 ounce) diced Italian-seasoned tomatoes, chopped
2 cups cooked or canned pumpkin

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.  Place beef in the saucepan and cook evenly until brown.  Transfer meat to a 2-quart or larger slow cooker.  Mix in remaining ingredients and simmer on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.  Serve with salad, cheese and crackers, cornbread, or tortillas.  Serves 8.

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/4-1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/16 tsp. ground cloves
1/16 tsp. nutmeg
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cups vanilla ice cream
1-2 graham crackers (Add more crackers as you drink the shake)

Put everything but the graham crackers into the blender.  Start with 1/4 cup milk and slowly add more if needed to make the blender process it all.  Sprinkle cruched graham crackers on top before serving.

Frosted Rhubarb Cookies

Halle and I made these cookies today and they are so yummy. Such a fun treat to have in the summer with fresh rhubarb! I got this recipe from tasteofhome.com. Substitutions for ingredients may be made if you wish. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening

1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups diced fresh rhubarb
3/4 cup flaked coconut

Cream Cheese Frosting:

3 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.

2. Stir in rhubarb and coconut. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. aprat onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over cooled cookies. Store in the refrigerator.

Cayenne Coconut Crusted Chicken with Spicy Apricot Dipping Sauce

Ever since Mom made coconut chicken at my house, it's been one of my favorite meals. This recipe is similar to hers with a little kick and a really yummy dipping sauce.

-Mix together in shallow bowl:
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2- 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
-In another small bowl whisk together 3 egg whites
-Place 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut in another shallow dish
-Heat canola oil in a heavy skillet
-Dip chicken tenders or small chicken breasts (I cut some in half)in cornstarch mixture, then egg whites, then press both sides into coconut. Put chicken in hot oil and cook a few minutes on each side till cooked through. Make sure your oil doesn't get too hot or the coating will burn before the chicken is done. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
-To make dipping sauce combine:
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 cup apricot preserves
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Tomorrow we're having the leftovers on a salad with a fruity dressing. I love when you can make 2 meals from one recipe!

Zucchini Pie

One prepared pie crust (bottom only) uncooked

Filling:
8 cups zucchini, peeled, sliced lengthwise, large seeds removed (4-6 medium zucchini, approx. 21/2 pounds)
1/2 cup brown sugaar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 TBL. lemon zest
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tsp. cinnamon
Pinch salt
2 TBL. corn starch

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cut zucchini slices into 1/4 inch-thick half cirles
3. Combine zucchini and all other ingredients in a bowl
4. Pour mixture into a large frying pan and simmer on stove until zucchini is tender. The sugar will begin to caramelize and thicken.  Stir a little while it caramelizes so it doesn't burn.  If mixture doesn't thicken, pour off some liquid.  Add a little more cornstarch to this liquid, stirring well, and return to the pan.  Simmer.
5. Pour mixture into pie crust
6. Sprinkle topping mixture on pie and bake at 375 degreees F. until top is golden brown, about 40-45 min.

Topping:
Mix 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar,1/2 tsp. each ground ginger and cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp. ground mace.  Cut in 1/4 cup butter or margarine till crumbly.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

I wanted a change from my usual berry smoothie, so I tried this and loved it!

Blend together:
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 banana
1 packet stevia or truvia
ice
lots of cinnamon

Healthy Banana "Ice cream"

Super easy healthy summer treat! I was surprised at how yummy this is.

Blend in blender or magic bullet until thick and creamy like ice cream:
2 frozen bananas, cut in chunks
About 2 T almond milk or milk
dash or 2 of nutmeg

Fish

1. Go on hike.
2. Catch some fish.
3. Clean fish. No heads. Yucky.
4. Pick frying pan big enough for fish. Cut off the tails if needed.
5. Melt Smart Balance in pan.
6. Layer bottom of pan with sliced onions. (Keeps fish from burning to bottom of pan and gets rid of fishy smell and taste.)
7. Srinkle fish with some Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning. (How much? Some)
8. Put fish in pan, cover with glass lid and cook until done. (How long? Until done)
9. Remove skin and bones.
10. Eat. Yum.

Hot Dogs

1. Buy a package of hot dogs. Wranglers are preferred if available.
2. Buy a fresh pack of white Wonder hot dog buns. Freezer burnt buns are not allowed.
3. Build a fire.
4. Put a weenie on a clean stick.
5. Hold it over the fire until nearly black.
6. Place weenie on bun and coat with French's yellow mustard. No fancy stuff.
7. Eat it. Yum