Happy Halloween 2011

This Halloween Nick and I partook in a lot of pumpkin carving. We carved pumpkins with our neighbors and then I carved another for a pumpkin carving contest at my work. I think they all turned out pretty good. Carving pumpkins and cooking with pumpkin and/or squash is definitely my favorite part of Halloween.  

Pumpkin carving with the neighbors.

Us imitating our pumpkin

My pumpkin for my work's pumpkin carving contest.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Pumpkin Zucchini Bread

I hadn't made my seasonal batch of pumpkin bread this October and so when I stumbled upon this recipe online, I knew I had to give it a try. This was a delicious recipe and Nick who doesn't like zucchini liked this bread, it was delicious, perfect for the season. 

Sweet & Sour Meatball Appetizer

This is a delicious and easy appetizer to make with your slow cooker. Although it sounds weird, the chili sauce and grape jelly create a delicious flavor that never fails to impress. This is a party favorite and seriously the easiest to make. Go for it.

Guilt-Free Mac'N'Cheese (Made With Butternut Squash)

Nothing is better than mac'n'cheese. Both Nick and I could eat mac'n'cheese multiple times a week, whether it be the KRAFT blue box or homemade. I love it because not only is it delicious, cheesy, gooey, and made with pasta, but it is extremely versatile. As you can see from my previous posts, I have made many different versions of mac'n'cheese: Pesto & Bruschetta Mac'N'Cheese, Spicy Mac'N'Cheese, Adult Mac'N'Cheese, and Funky Chicken Mac'N'Cheese. Well now I have finally found a relatively healthy version of mac'n'cheese, of course I found the recipe in Coking Light Magazine so of course it is guilt-free and delicious. I was really anxious to make this version of mac'n'cheese after I found it and I am really excited to share it with you all. Fall is the perfect time for squash and so this is a great recipe for October. I really enjoyed this mac'n'cheese, the butternut squash gives the dish a sweeter taste but it is still very delicious and I feel guiltless having seconds. You have to give this one a try.

Balsamic Chicken

I made this for girls night tonight. It turned out pretty delicious and it was a very hearty meal. 

Slow Cooker Citrus Carnitas

 I have never made Carnitas before and when I found this delicious citrus themed recipe, I knew I would have to give it a try. Nick and I both love citrus foods and so this carnitas was perfect for us, it turned out delicious and the touch of citrus was perfect. The Carnitas was great as taco meat the first night but the leftover meat was great in a soup I made the following night. 

Fugsicles

My friend Megan shared this recipe for healthy fugsicles with me. I decided to give them a try and they were delicious. They definitely have a slightly different taste than traditional fugsicles but these are a completely guiltless treat that have a great taste and a similar texture. Great for the summer or any California day, especially when it' still 100 degrees in October (lame.)

 Some beautiful flowers from Nick

Pots de Creme

 I made some pots de creme before but this is the first time they came out perfect and thick. The other recipes I've used did not include eggs and I know now that that is a vital component. These are a delicious treat, like a fancy pudding. They are so rich in flavor that it's impossible to overdue, they are a perfect treat to soothe any sweet tooth. 

Chicken Parmigiana

 The other night I realized I had all the perfect ingredients to make Chicken Parmigiana. It is one of Nick's faves and I had never made it before. When I told Nick that I was making Chicken Parmigiana for dinner, he got really excited and had the cutest smile ever. I guess the way to Nicks heart is through this meal. I was pretty proud of this and I loved that I served it with spaghetti squash, they went great together and kept the calories lower.

Bourbon-Glaze

I found this recipe in a Cooking Light Magazine, as soon as I read the ingredients I knew it was something Nick and I would enjoy. I decided to use this glaze on some ribs I was planning on cooking in my slow cooker, it worked great on them and I know it would be a great glaze for chicken or other pork cuts, like pork chops. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

My co-worker Christina passed this recipe on to me. I love fall and I love the holidays and so I couldn't wait to celebrate with some fall flavors. I would've never thought to do something like this but now I know the thought will never slip my mind. Nick even enjoyed these cookies and he doesn't even like pumpkin pie. These are the perfect cookie to ring in the new season and new month.

Sidenote: Congrats to my brother and his fiance Kristen on getting engaged yesterday!!!!!! 

This month is looking good thus far. 

Indian Chicken Curry

This is a great recipe my friend Megan shared with me. I conveniently had all the necessary ingredients to make this the other night and so I did. It turned out delicious and it's a great well-rounded meal.