image via familyfun.com
image by redroko
image via Betty Crocker
image via here
Making pizza on the weekend has been a tradition in our family for awhile now. Although we have our favorite kind it's fun to try new creations with different toppings. Making pizza's a fun family activity because there can be lots of involvement (making dough, rolling dough out, toppings) and there really is no messing one up. I think it would be fun to make small individual pizzas so each family member can create the pizza of their choice.
Here is a no fail pizza recipe. This is the one we use.
1 yeast packet (about 2 1/4 tsp)
1/2 cup warm water
1/8 tsp sugar
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
Mix all ingredients and mix on medium power for 4 min. Let set for 1 minute and then beat again for 2 more minutes. Keep covered and let rise for 1 1/2 hours or until double in bulk.
Make at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes
image via Martha Stewart Kids magazine winter 2004
image via nordic treasure tours
image via Martha Stewart Kids Winter 2004
The first time I ever tried pumpkin pancakes I was in college and I've been hooked ever since.
Go on, try them for yourself. You'll see what I mean.
Pumpkin Pancakes
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
recipe via allrecipes.com
And for those of you that are not too hot on the make-it-from-scratch recipe, here is a short-cut just for you:
Simplified Recipe:
2 1/2 Cup Aunt Jemima Original Pancake Mix (or any pancake mix)
3 TBS brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 egg, 1 3/4 cup milk
2 TBS vegetable oil
2 TBS vinegar
1 cup pumpkin puree.
Continue following directions as listed above.
What are pumpkin pancakes without Apple Spice syrup:
Apple Spice Syrup
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 tbsp corn starch (heaped)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 TBSP lemon juice
2 cups apple cider (not juice)
1/4 c. butter
Mix dry ingredients, then add apple cider and lemon juice. Bring to a boil for 1 minute, turn to low and add butter.
Enjoy!
This recipe is one of my favorites come Fall time. It's also a great one to involve the kids...even the little ones. Everyone can help! There's nothing technical just opening, pouring and stirring. With only three ingredients it's hard to mess this one up.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1-box Spice cake mix
1-15oz canned pumpkin
1/2 bag mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Spoon drop cookies on greased pan. Make 12-15 minutes or until done (depending on how big your cookies are - I like mine big).
Suggestion: Try this same recipe in a bread pan for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip bread...yum yum!
Fall marks the beginning of sugar cookie season for me. Yup, that's right! I can not experience the month of October (Nov, Dec, or Feb) without a home made sugar cookie...preferably with sprinkles on top please. This "season" starts in October and ends with the holiday, Valentines Day! What can I say, I love sugar cookies and I love decorating them during the given holiday. I'm always looking for ideas. I find a lot of ideas from cooking ads in magazines and when I see them, I rip them out and stick them in my personal recipe binder so I will always have them. I personally am not that picky with my sugar cookies other than they have to be soft and I prefer home made frosting (ok so maybe I am picky). But when it comes to decorating I really am not picky or real fancy either. I usually make the frosting a fun color and use my creativity with different kinds of sprinkles/candies...that's it. I see lots of fancy decorated cookies around but lets be honest they may look good but the frosting rarely ever is. I would show you a picture of my Halloween sugar cookies this year but...I already ate them....oops.
Here are some great Halloween/Fall ideas I've come across that are kid involvement friendly.
Children love sprinkling on the sprinkles or sticking on a candy corn or two.
Introducing new tastes and smells is especially fun (and even important) for a small child.
I'm going to give this drink a try.
If you're not a fan of pumpkin or don't think your child is ready for the strong taste omit the pumpkin. ooooh and when it's egg nog season just sprinkle in a little nutmeg.
Pumpkin Smoothie
They called it a shake but skim milk isn't my idea of a shake so I'm changing it to smoothie
4 oz chilled canned pumpkin
1 1/2 cups cold skim milk
8 teaspoons sugar (or sweetner substitute)
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine all ingredients in a blender.
Makes 2 servings
recipe via recipezaar.com
photo via marthastewart.com
Now if you are really wanting a shake just go on and add a few scoops of ice cream. I won't tell!
