Happy Halloween

Hope you all have a happy and safe Halloween this weekend.  I thought I would astound you with our amazing creations.  LOL. Question of the day: Which pumpkin did my 16-year old daughter carve?  LOL. 

Pumpkin Meringue Tartelettes

I need a major attitude adjustment!  The holiday season is here and I am still thinking about summer.  Not cool.....I have a six year old boy and he need an exciting holiday season.  Halloween is here and I have failed him.  All the cool projects we had planned....none where completed so I have moved on to Thanksgiving.  I am on this one.  We have project and cooking plans.  It will be fun.  I have already tested and fell in love with the http://www.mytartelette.com/ pumpkin meringue tartelettes.  They may solely be responible for my attitude change.  Now, if I could only have one ready to go every morning...that would be just wonderful.  The pumpkin filling is AMAZING.  The crust sweet yet not too sweet.... a billion times better than pie crust.  Lastly, the meringue.....OMG!  I have never made meringue before.  It was an eye opener.  It will replace whipped cream on so many dishes.  Love.  I guess I will just say this tart was better than any pumpkin pie I have ever eaten....dairy-filled or dairy-free.  Make it.

Wordless Wednesday

Pork or Chicken Marsala Saute

Snow is on the way.  Ugh!  I spent the weekend out trying to completely enjoy the fall colors because as many of you know the snow will turn them ugly quick.  The fall has been so lovely....the prettiest I have seen in Colorado.  I wish to keep pretty a bit longer.  I am also very sad to say goodbye to my tomato plant.  I cannot believe it lasted so long this year.  My mom even got to enjoy it in mid-October.  So I am trying to cook lots of dishes that require fresh herbs. I want to enjoy them as much as possible before they all die. This recipe for chicken marsala is so fast and tastes just like the long recipe.  LOVE.  I did make it with the pork and liked it (was a bit different) but the family thought the chicken was just better.  This is a weeknight keeper.

Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Bread

I have to admit that I was not too happy about the amount of ingredients needed for this bread.  I didn't think I wanted two loaves (which is what this recipe makes) and I brainstormed for quite sometime about how I could cut the recipe in half.  Finally, I gave in and just made it as is.  Of course, I found out that Amy really knows what she is doing and I was happy I followed her directions.  This bread is FANTASTIC.  One of those rare breakfast breads that not only fills you up in the morning but doesn't make me feel guilty for feeding it to my children in the a.m.  It was so worth each and every ingredient!  Love!

Chocolate-Covered Coconut Bars

Ahhh...sweet revenge...it is a wonderful thing!  I have had to listen to my mom and daughter go on and on about the new Almond Joy Pieces all week long.  How not nice of them right?  Thankfully, I remembered seeing this recipe in the October issue of the Rachael Ray Magazine.  I whipped them up in the time it took them to take a shower then proceeded to oh and ah very loudly while I munched on them.  LOL.  It was so wonderful.  These little candy bars are fantastic too!  My husband couldn't even wait until they set properly.  He loved them so much I got a bit of a make-out session right there in the kitchen.  Will definately be making them again soon.  LOL.

A week or so off

My mom is in town this week so I am going to be missing in action for a while.  I do still cook...LOL.  Will have some super yummy recipes to post the end of next week.  In love with the book The Sweeter Side of Amy's Bread.  Yum.  Thought I would leave you with this lovely picture taken at a park in Denver, CO yesterday.  Fall is on the way but summer just does seem to want to leave quite yet.

Fall Colors.

I thought I wanted to keep summer a bit longer but I clearly forgot how pretty fall can be.  So, I guess it can stay after all.

Colorado....a surprise around every corner.

So the kids and I were out on another barn view drive when I spotted two of these guys grazing by the road side.  I have to tell you camels were about the last thing I expected to see on our trip.  We flew right on by and I said, "Did I just see camels?"  My kids looked at me like I had lost my mind so I turned around and sure enough there they were.  Apparently, the cows and horses they share a barn with taugh them the lesson about the grass being greener on the other side.  This guy was way more interested in the grass then me and my camera.  

Chocolate Peanut Raisin Chunkies

My son took a bit of creative interest in my hobby this week.  He helped me stage my food pictures with a bit of Halloween flare.  I love him.  So cute.  I was complaining that brown cookies are hard to photograph and he decided a spider would make all the difference.  I think he was right.  LOL.  If you are a fan of the Chunky candy bar (like me) you will think these cookies are the best.  They taste JUST like the chunky candy bar but they have the texture of a soft gooey brownie.  Perfect combination.  The raisins keep them soft too.  So store away....they will still be perfect. 

Hiking with A Skeleton

Look who I went hiking with today.  LOL.  We gave quite a few people a shock as we hiked around a very popular local landmark today.  Halloween is just really too far away for someone his age and he just can't stand it.  So, he has decided to celebrate all month.  I am fine with that.....just not sure about the rest of the world. 

Jamie Oliver's Chicken, Potato and Tomato Bake

I have been holding out on you guys for quite sometime on this one.  It is one of my super favorite comfort food dinner but it just does not take a nice picture.  My husband and I watched Jamie Oliver make this on his cooking show one night a long while ago and had to have it.  We actually head out to the store right after the show ended and were eating the meal with in the next hour or so.  It...is...so...good!   You will love this one on my cold winters night.  Don't forget the wine.  LOL.