Pumpkin Donut Muffins

Two years, sixty three recipes, ~12,000 page views from 10 different countries and 46 of the 50 states…not too shabby!  I hope you all are enjoying the recipes as much as I am.  This blog is something I look forward to writing (and eating) the recipes that inspire me.  Feel free to send me ideas or family recipes…I am always looking for something new. 

With this marking my two year anniversary (well two years and six days), I thought I would come full circle and post another fall/Halloween inspired dish…pumpkin donut muffins.  Seeing that I work in marketing research I read a lot about consumer trends, specifically related to food. I came across an article that said pumpkin spiced/flavored foods have increased 234% since 2008…a huge increase!  Here is one more to add to the list…enjoy!

Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

 I have been on a wild rice kick lately (this is just one of the few recipes I have cooked) and having a great fall!  My house is feeling more and more like a home, especially with the new additions of fall mums, Halloween décor and birch wood logs.  My mom came up and visited a few weekends ago and we had a blast visiting an apple farm.  I keep trying to make apple recipes, but I really don’t like hot cooked apples, so instead of posting recipes I don't like, I decided to post this one - much better!

Whipped Feta

This weekend was a pretty darn good one!  One of my closest friends was in Chicago this weekend, I played host at home for the first time at home, and I made some great appetizers, one of which I am sharing today.  I am not sure about you, but I LOVE all kinds of cheese, anything from cheese wiz all the way to the fancy cheeses.  As I was trying to find some appetizer inspiration, I stumbled across a blog with an entry titled “whipped feta” – I was hooked.  This is one of the easiest things you can do and packs a lot of flavor.  I spread the whipped feta on some toasted garlic bread, roasted some Campari tomatoes with olive oil, 3 garlic cloves and topped it off with a little fresh basil…yummy!  

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Labor Day weekend in Chicago means the Jazz Festival is in town (and summer is coming to an end). There is nothing more fun than sitting on a lawn with friends, drinking some wine, listening to Jazz, and enjoying some great food.  I saw this recipe on Pinterest a few weeks ago and have wanted to try it out, but knew I needed an occasion when multiple people would help me eat it (great for a party).  I just love how the little bit of heat mixes will the cool coleslaw and the sweetness of the Kings Hawaiian bun.  It is finger licking good! 

Chicken with Mushrooms & Cream Sauce (Julia Child)

 After not sleeping much this week my body gave out on Friday and I was feeling pretty miserable.  I slept most of the afternoon on Friday, all Friday night and parts of the day on Saturday…I guess my body needed it!  Unfortunately I had to miss a good friend’s air & water show party, but on the other hand, I got in some quality movie time on the couch (during the few hours I was awake).  Funny enough, Julie & Julia was on which is where I found my inspiration this week….the great Julia Child!  This is a super easy and very tasty and comforting dish…I made enough to have for left overs tomorrow night (and maybe the next).  I also had some brussel sprouts in the fridge and roasted them in the oven (similar recipe to the roasted broccoli recipe I have posted).    Bon Appetite (in my best Julia Child high pitched voice)!

Elote

I love when inspiration hits!  After a Cubs game outing last week I joined some friends at Moe’s Cantina for a drink and dinner.  We ordered a bunch of food to share and one of the dishes was called Elote.  Oh, my, goodness, it was DELICIOUS!  We couldn’t get enough…corn in a cheesy, creamy, spicy Mexican dish.  So, I set out to find a recipe to try and found this one.  I am definitely making this again and bring it to an upcoming air & water show party – it is sure to be a crowd pleaser!  Summer is still here and it is prime corn season, so I would strike while the iron is hot! 

Oatmeal Chia Bites

I love when recipes are shared with me (so send me your fav’s!).  About a week ago I was chatting with a research vendor about a project I am thinking about working with them on and she passed along a fun recipe that includes Quaker Oats!  Now, this definitely isn’t low in sugar, but it does have pretty natural and basic ingredients…you can even rationalize popping one since it has flax and chia seeds (I promise you, you can’t taste them).   These are super quick!  I forgot to pick up vanilla at the grocery store, so mine was missing that, but it still tasted great!