Pumpkin Muffins

I've made these several times in the past week.  Everyone loves them.

This recipe comes from the American Club in Wisconsin via Gourmet Magazine.

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
chocolate chips
1 teaspoon cinnamon + 1 Tablespoon sugar

Preheat oven to 350.  Whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, sugar, baking side and salt in large bowl until smooth.  Whisk in flour and baking powder mixture until combine.  Add several large handfuls of chocolate chips.

Divide batter among muffin cups and then sprinkle the top with cinnamon and sugar mixture.  Bake until golden about 25 minutes.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

A recent favorite and crowd pleasure.

Recipe courtesy of browneyedbaker.com

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Bake Time: 1 hour

For the Chicken:
3-4 boneless,skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, slightly beaten
¼ cup canola or vegetable oil

For the Sauce:
¾ cup sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
½ cup vinegar (preferably rice or white)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.

3. Working in two batches, toss the chicken pieces in cornstarch and then coat with the egg. Heat the oil over medium-high heat and again in two batches, brown the chicken, turning it so that all sides are browned.

4. Place the chicken in a single layer in a 9×13 baking dish.

5. Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and pour evenly over the chicken. Turn the chicken to ensure each piece is coated.

6. Bake for 1 hour, turning the chicken every 15 minutes.

image courtesy growneyedbaker.com

Rib Rub

Here is our dry rub recipe for ribs.  We put it on the night before and then bake the next day slathered with our favorite BBQ sauce.  Simple!

3 T. brown sugar
1 1/2 T. paprika
1 1/2 T. salt
1 1/2 T. pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder

Mix together and rub over ribs overnight.

Dreami Kiwi Lemonade

I know its fall and not really Lemonade season, but I finally made this recipe and it's delicious.  I have a thing for making fun specialty drinks.  My kids love them and I feel like it makes dinner more fun.

2 cups ice cubes (I added a little more at the end because I wanted it more smoothie-like)
8 kiwis, remove the outside skin and chop
1 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Using a blender, mix the ice, kiwis, lemon juice, sugar and water.  Pour in glasses and serve.

This is from the blog bakingwithblondie.blogspot.com.  Here is her picture.  They are beautiful!