Pumpkin Bread

This is always such a treat in our house when the Fall season arrives...I decided to start baking a little early for the season! My daughter requested that I make my pumpkin bread (which is a wonderful recipe from my friend Denise!)..so, after she left for school this morning, I baked up a bunch of loaves!

PUMPKIN BREAD preheat to 325°

3 cups white sugar 1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp cloves
2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp nutmeg
1+1/2 tsp salt
Mix above ingredients in large bowl

1 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs
2 cups pumpkin (1 small can)
Blend these into above mixture

Add 3+1/2 c flour and mix well

Bake at 325° in 2 greased loaf pans for 1hour 15 min
or 1 hour for 4 small loaf pans

Enjoy!


**Edited to add...this morning I decided to put a little less of the mix in each loaf pan before baking..I was able to make 6 small loaves from this batch of mix!**

Tomato Cheese Tart

Ingredients

3 eggs

1 1/4 cups half and half

8 oz. shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese

about 3 medium fresh from the garden tomatoes, sliced into medium width circles

1 tsp. rosemary plus extra

1 tsp. oregano plus extra

1/2 tsp. salt

lots of fresh ground black pepper

1 Pillsbury pie crust

basil to garnish

1 9 inch tart pan (the shallow one with the fluted edges)

I love to grow tomatoes in my garden and this year I have A TON of tomatoes on the vine. After making a huge pot of sauce I still had some tomatoes left over so I decided to try making a tomato tart. It turned out delicious so try it and enjoy for yourself!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place 1 Pillsbury pie crust in the fluted tart pan and press down the edges. Mix the eggs with the half and half, oregano, rosemary, salt and pepper. Pour the egg mixture into the pie crust.

Sprinkle the cheese over the egg mixture. Place the tomatoes on top of the tart in a circle starting from the outside working into the middle, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle the top of the tart with the extra herbs and more fresh ground pepper and salt. Put into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. When timer goes off turn the oven temperature up to 375 degrees and bake for another 10 minutes, watching that it does not brown too much. This tart can be serves warm or cold and can be garnished with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy!

submitted by Nicole

Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:
4 Cucumbers
1 Onion sliced
1 Cup of White Vinegar
1/2 Cup of Water
3/4 Cup of Sugar
1 Tablespoon of Dill

Slice up cucumbers and onions and toss together in bowl. In small saucepan, combine vinegar, water and sugar. Cook over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, and pour the mixture over the cucumber and onions. Stir in dill. Cover and refrigerate until cold. Marinate at least one hour for flavors to mix.

My Homemade Apple Pie

It is just about that time of year again...baking apple pies and the wonderful smell of Autumn in the air!
But, in this house, I have been baking apple pies all summer long.
This is the recipe I use.

*Preheat oven to 425 Degrees.

Ingredients:
Pastry for a two-crust pie (I cheat and use Pillsbury)!

Filling:
6 Cups thinly sliced, peeled Apples
3/4 Cup Sugar
2 Tablespoons Flour
3/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Nutmeg
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

In large bowl combine all filling ingredients. Mix lightly. Spoon into pastry lined pan. Top with remaining pastry. Fold edge of top pastry under bottom pastry, press to seal. Flute edge.Cut slits in several places in top of pastry. Bake at 425 degrees for 40-45 Minutes or until apples are tender and the crust is golden brown. About halfway through baking, I usually wrap the top edges around the pie with tin foil to prevent burning of the crust on the edges while it cooks.

I am so ready for a piece..are you?!

Fresh Mozzarella with basil

This is something I absolutely LOVE!
I usually serve this before a pasta meal and my guests really enjoy it :)

Ingredients:
Fresh Mozzarella
Big Beefsteak Tomato
Fresh Basil leaves
Olive Oil

Slice up the fresh mozzarella and Beefsteak tomato. Layer one on top of the other (see photo) on serving dish.
I also tuck in Basil leaves as I layer the cheese and tomato.
Drizzle olive oil over all.

Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve. The flavors blend nicely and tastes delicious!

enjoy!

Butter Cookies

A recipe from my sweet friend Nancy. :)
These are the most delicious cookies and will melt in your mouth!
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do :)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredients:
2 Cups Flour
3/4 Cup Sugar
1/2 lb. Butter (2 sticks)
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Vanilla

Beat together butter and sugar. Add flour and baking soda.
Use mixer or knead by hand to mix.
Add vanilla last.

Roll into balls approximately 1" in diameter.
Place on buttered (not sprayed) cookie tin. Flatten balls with a fork
dipped in flour.

Bake at 350 degrees until edges only are lightly browned.