Top Ate...Pumpkin Recipes

10-24-13
I have a problem....see below.   My love affair with pumpkin anything has become somewhat of a fixation. Until starting this blog, I never realized the versatility of canned pumpkin.  Now I can't stop.  Whether the recipe is sweet or savory, pumpkin adds a thick, creamy texture without the fat, oil or calories!  AND good luck finding someone who doesn't like pumpkin, especially this time of year!  Even if they THINK they don't like pumpkin, slip it in there.  They often don't realize they like it!
1. Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte:  (PSL!)  This time of year, we all love to march into Starbucks for our pumpkin spice lattes...myself included.  In fact, this was my entry coffee beverage.  I remember my first PSL fondly.  It was last autumn, I had a 4 week old,  and I wasn't sleeping.  I never liked the taste of coffee, but my step-mother said, "Jen, just try it."  So, I did.  The rest is history.  Now I enjoy coffee every morning.  So, with this recipe, not only can I skip the $5.00 price tag, but there's no chemical syrup and I control the sugar, milk and spices!  NOTE: This is the perfect afternoon retreat with a couple mini muffins (see below), a warm fuzzy blanket and a good book.

2. Creamy Pumpkin and Sausage Pasta:  Here's a math equation for ya.
 Get it? Get it?  Trust me, it's funny.  Comment below and I'll explain!  As I sit here typing this post, I am eating the leftovers for lunch. Typically, my husband takes the leftovers to work for lunch.  Today, he has peanut butter and jelly.

3. Pesto Pumpkin Quesadillas with Caramelized Onions: So, I admit, I love when my husband and son love my food.  It makes me feel so good when my family enjoys what I've made!  These little delights left them whining that I only made one! Try it with this pesto recipe.

4. Five Minute Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal:  Could not be easier.  Could not be faster.  Could not be tastier.  Add pecans or walnuts for a little crunch.  If you have time (maybe on a weekend), this recipe is even better with old fashioned or steel cut oats.

5. Fifty Calorie Pumpkin Mini Muffins:  Two ingredients and only 50 calories! Have two, three or ten, like me. I shared these with a some taste testers and they were shocked to find out there are only two ingredients. The light yet dense texture will make your family and friends think you slaved over these...but you didn't!

6. Pumpkin Chili: So, to my working mommy friends, I thought of you as I made this. (KIM and ERIN especially since you personally requested easy weeknight meals!  Love you guys for the feedback!)  Typically chili has to cook and simmer for at least 90 minutes to really develop good flavor and consistency.  Not this chili!  It really will be ready and on your table in less than 30 minutes.  Pumpkin may sound like a weird ingredient for chili, but trust me, it adds a thick creaminess that will leave your family saying, "mmmmm, what is that?"

7. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies:  So, I took a little help from the store here.  Have you ever been to the flagship Stonewall Kitchen Store in York, ME?  If not, GO!  It is tons of fun.  They make a fantastic pumpkin whoopie pie mix.  I used the cake mix, but made my own cream cheese frosting.  You can certainly use their frosting.  I have and it's yummy.  I just prefer a cream cheese frosting.  Now, making from scratch definitely yields a fresher product.  My sister-in-law (Hi Christy!) has a killer Martha recipe.  Check it out here.  She suggests freshly grating the cinnamon, cloves and ginger and making the cakes a day ahead but handling with flour to avoid stickiness.

8. Crunchy Pumpkin Dessert:  If you like sweet, you'll like this.  The crunchy topping combined with the creamy pumpkin base are the perfection combination.  Bring this dessert as a guest in someone's home.  They will love you!  Beware: this dessert travels well but does not freeze well.

10/24/2013: Update to Top Ate Pumpkin Recipes Post:  
9. 60 Calorie White Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Cookies: How did I live my entire life without these cookies?  Only 60 calories and THEY HAVE CHOCOLATE!  They are similar to the muffins above, but they have chocolate.  Did I mention they have chocolate?  I had to include  them as bonus number 9.

Check out this link to a cute math/food post.  I came across it when researching this week's post.