Tag Archives: pumpkin

Pumpkin Pizza

If begging were an Olympic event my young daughter would have more gold medals than Michael Phelps. The day before Halloween she saw a jack-o’-lantern shaped pizza complete with a pepperoni mouth, olive eyes and a mozzarella cheese nose. Once she saw it she refused to leave the store without it. I told her we could make the same pie at home for half the price. No dice. The entire time we were in the store she badgered, begged and pleaded for the pizza. Long story short, we left without the pizza. However, I did promise her that we would … Continue reading →

Perfectly Delicious Pumpkin and Chocolate Treats

There’s no time like the present to make the most of a fall favorite: pumpkin. Of course, with Halloween upon us, chocolate is also in abundance as well. So why not marry the two ingredients in mouthwatering creations that will have your guests begging for more? The following recipes make great additions to holiday parties. Both the Chocolate Pumpkin Bars and the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins can be made in advance and travel well. What’s more, both dishes follow standard recipes for bars and muffins, so if you’ve made either in the past, you will have no problem baking these. … Continue reading →

No Fuss Pumpkin Pie

If you have (or have had) a picky little eater in your family then you know the sheer delight that overcomes you when he or she finds a new favorite food. Two years ago I worked a miracle and got my picky eater (she’s not very picky anymore) to try a bite of pumpkin pie. Two bites later and my toddler was pumping her fists proclaiming her love for the spicy dessert. It was a Hallelujah moment and I immediately went online to hunt down every pumpkin pie recipe known to man. I spent months experimenting with pumpkin pie recipes, … Continue reading →

Limited Mess Pumpkin Decorating Ideas for Kids

Whereas I was tempted to title this blog “No Mess Pumpkin Decorating Ideas,” I know better than to do so given that glitter is involved in some of the following projects. Trust me; as a mom of a craft-loving preschooler I know what happens when a few containers of glitter are placed on an art table. Still, I’ll take a beach full of sandy glitter over a sink full of slimy pumpkin guts any day. With that said, here are a few more ways you can make your pumpkin stand out from the other gourds this Halloween: Glitter Pumpkins While … Continue reading →

Unique Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

If you thought those Mr. Potato Head pumpkin decoration sets were a clever way to get out of gutting a gourd while still making it look festive, then you probably don’t have a neighbor who’s into making junk-o’-lanterns. There’s a home located next to the building where my daughter attends cooking class that is lined with pumpkins decorated with, well… junk. Wing nuts, rubber from old tires, window latches, wood from old fences, curtain ties, tacks, screws, springs, hinges, you name it and the homeowner has attached it to his pumpkins to create these amazing junk-o-lanterns. It took me a … Continue reading →

Fall Treats: Combining Chocolate with Pumpkin

You can’t go wrong when chocolate is in the mix. (At least in my family.) Whether you are adding chocolate chips to pumpkin pancakes or perking up an ordinary pumpkin muffin with swirls of chocolate, nothing beats the seasonal combination of sweet and sweeter. However, if you want to take the combo to an entirely new level consider the following recipe for Chocolate Pumpkin Pie. I tried my first piece last Thanksgiving. A friend of mine made it, though she didn’t create the recipe (she got it from a friend of a friend). If I knew who to thank for … Continue reading →

Sweet Treats to Serve Up on Halloween Morning

What better way to satisfy your family’s sweet tooth on Halloween morning than with seasonal recipes that feature two of the holiday’s most popular ingredients: pumpkin and chocolate. Your children will love starting off the day with a special Halloween breakfast, and considering they will likely be too excited to eat much dinner prior to trick-or-treating, these dishes might contain some of the only nutrients they’ll get until November 1st. These Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pancakes and Pumpkin Waffles are simple ways to get your family into the Halloween spirit without leaving behind a frightening mess in your kitchen. CHOCOLATE CHIP … Continue reading →

No-Mess Pumpkin Decorating

Make that minimal mess. Either way you avoid the sloppy, goopy, labor-intensive task of gutting a pumpkin in an effort to create a bucktoothed jack-o’-lantern. This kid-friendly pumpkin decorating project doesn’t involve a single knife or razorblade. Rather, you and your children can go wild with a little paint (potentially messy, yes, but easier to wash out of hair than slimy pumpkin guts). This year say goodbye to the monstrous mess and hello to these adorable pumpkin characters made from inexpensive materials that can be found around your house. PUMPKIN LADY Materials: Pumpkin Fake eyelashes Straw hat Ribbon Silk flowers … Continue reading →

Sweet Pumpkin Party Treats

Finding a fresh pumpkin to eat is far less stressful than finding the perfect pumpkin to display on your front stoop. I should know since my daughter has allowed us to cook two of the six pumpkins we recently picked at the pumpkin patch. The pumpkins sacrificed for cooking purposes were not front stoop worthy (at least in her opinion), but boy, were they tasty. Before you leave your local pumpkin patch consider picking a few extra orange globes to cook with. The following recipes are ideal for the season not only because they make wonderful edible additions to your … Continue reading →

Pumpkinpalooza—-A Meal Made of Pumpkins

Here’s a themed meal that you don’t have to wait until Halloween to make. Fresh pumpkins are prime for the picking right now. And even if you don’t live near a u-pick farm, local discount stores (Wal-Mart, Target) and supermarkets from coast-to-coast are offering great deals on the vibrant and versatile orange fruit. If you are looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit consider adding the following pumpkin recipes to your fall menu. The first recipe for The Ultimate Pumpkin Casserole will be the talk of the table, especially since the dish is cooked and served inside … Continue reading →