Pumpkin Grilled Cheese

I'm always on the lookout for new things to do with pumpkin, especially canned pumpkin which I always have a few cans of on-hand.  Needless to say I was super excited to see the new Food Network magazine which included 50 things to make with canned pumpkin.  The first thing that really jumped out at me was a recipe for pumpkin grilled cheese, and lucky enough I had all the stuff to make it. It was really easy to make and all of the flavors came together nicely.  I have changed the recipe slightly, since I didn't think the pumpkin flavor was quite strong enough.

Pumpkin Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

• Bread
• 1.5 Tbsp canned pumpkin
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp whole grain mustard
• 2-3 strips cooked bacon
• Monterrey Jack cheese

Instructions:

1) In a small bowl combine pumpkin, honey, and mustard.

2) Spread mixture on one slice of bread.  Then add cheese and bacon.

3) Top with 2nd slice of bread and grill until golden brown in a buttered skillet.

Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins

We are having a brunch at work to kick off the new fiscal year.  I love using work events as an excuse to try out a new recipe.  The air has been a little brisk lately and its really had me craving some fall flavors.  What says fall more than apples and pumpkins?  I decided to combine those two wonderful flavors into a muffin.  I sampled one when they came out of the oven and I must say they are the perfect fall treat.

Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 medium peeled, cored and chopped apples
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons butter

Directions:

1. 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 18 muffin cups or use paper liners.
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3. 2) In a large bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt. 

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2. 3) In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, pumpkin and oil. 

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2. 4) Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stirring just to moisten. Fold in apples. 

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2. 5) Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
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4. 6) In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons flour, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 

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2. 7) Sprinkle topping evenly over muffin batter.

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2. 8) Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.
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Swirled Picture Frame

I have a ton of picture frames from Ikea, so I'm always looking for ways to spice them up.  For this one I decided to use some basic acrylic paint and do a swirl design on the from.  Then I added some googly eyes in the corners to give it an extra Halloween touch.

Pick your colors and place random dots of paint on the frame.  Use a toothpick to swirl the dots together and cover the frame.

After the entire frame is covered be sure to let it dry for at least 24 hours so the paint is completely dry.

Add whatever embellishments you like and display.