PUMPKIN DOUGHNUTS with APPLE CIDER GLAZE

...OR Cinnamon Sugar...what ever your poison...he he

A while ago I did a guest post on "Or So She Say's" about my grandmothers yummy homemade doughnuts and the tradition of making doughnuts at our family reunions. Well, my grandmother's tradition has inspired me to create my own little tradition.

I bookmarked this recipe a couple of years ago when I came across it in my Cuisine at Home magazine. I've always thought doughnuts and Halloween marry well, and what could add more to that perfect marriage than pumpkin and a little apple cider spice!?

I think it's perfection! So I'll be making these little beauties on Thursday and sharing with some friends for a new Halloween tradition!

PUMPKIN DOUGHNUTS

with Apple Cider Glaze or Cinnamon Sugar

(Recipe from Cuisine at Home Oct. 2008)

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 C. canned pumpkin puree

1/2 C. sugar

1/2 C. buttermilk

1/4 C. brown sugar

3 T. butter; melted

4 t. baking powder

2 t. pumpkin pie spice

1 t. salt

1/2 t. baking soda

3 C. sifted all purpose flour

Vegetable oil for frying

1. Whisk egg and yolk together in a large bowl until frothy.

2. Add pumpkin, sugar, buttermilk, brown sugar, and butter; whisk until combined.

3. Stir in baking powder, pie spice, salt and soda.

4. Fold flour in gradually until a sticky dough forms; cover with plastic wrap and freeze 15 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, heat 2" oil to 370 degrees in an electric skillet, deep fryer, or straight-sided pan over medium.

6. Pat out dough on a well-floured surface to 1/2" thick, then cut with a 3" and 1" biscuit cutters dipped in flour. (You can also use a doughnut cutter, if you have one.)

7. Transfer doughnuts and holes to a floured baking sheet using spatula that's been dusted in flour.

8. Fry doughnuts and holes in batches in the oil until browned, about 3 minutes, turning once (holes will cook faster). Drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet.

9. Finish with sugar or glaze (see recipes below).

10. Makes about 18 doughnuts and holes.

APPLE CIDER GLAZE

1/2 C. apple cider

pinch of salt

5-6 C. powdered sugar

1. Heat cider and salt in a small saucepan over low until hot.

2. Take off the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth.

3. Dip cooled doughnuts in glaze and let stand about 5 minutes.

(The glaze will dry as it cools, so make it just before using.)

CINNAMON SUGAR

1 C. sugar

2 t. ground cinnamon

1. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small paper bag.

2. Toss doughnuts and holes in sugar mixture while hot.

ROMAINE SALAD WITH CREAMY PARMESAN

The red rocks are calling my name. So, wish me luck...I'm off to Moab for 4 days of family fun! I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but Moab is kind of like home to me. My dad grew up in Moab and while I really never had a home town (military bratt...remember), as kids we spent ever summer in Moab visiting my grandparents. I love that town. It's like a blanket of red rocks that comforts my soul. Maybe it's my own childhood memories, or the hundreds of stories my dad has told me about every rock formation, every hill crest, every street corner, and ever bend in the road...I feel like his home town, somehow became mine too. What can I say...it's the true blooded Nordfelt in me! This will be little r's first trip to red rock country and I'm so excited to share my love with her.

Dead Horse Point...one of many favorites in Moab. As kids we used to sit on the edge, just like this. I can remember my mom freaking out while my dad encouraged. I'm so sorry Mom...what were we thinking? The mere thought of little r going anywhere close to the edge, gives me an anxiety attack... But it really is so beautiful!

...so one last side for the week. This super easy salad has recently become a favorite. I like it because it's delicious and full of ingredients that I always have on hand. It may seem kind of plain, but trust me the flavors are bold, zesty, and tangy. If you wish, you could also add some grape tomatoes and croutons. But it's really not necessary.

ROMAINE SALAD WITH CREAMY PARMESAN

(Recipe adapted from Cuisine at Home)

1/4 C. sour cream

1/4 C. grated Parmesan cheese

2 T. mayonnaise

2 T. white wine vinegar

2 T. minced fresh parsley

1/2 t. Dijon mustard

1/8 t. Worcestershire sauce

1/8 t. hot sauce

salt & pepper to taste

8 C. chopped romaine lettuce

1. Whisk together the sour cream, cheese, mayonnaise, vinegar, parsley, Dijon, Worcestershire, hot sauce and salt & pepper.

2. Toss the dressing the the lettuce, just before serving.

3. Serves 4.

Easter Magic Cookies!

My good friend Sheila shared this cool Easter activity/recipe with me over 10 years ago. At the time I didn't have any children, but I shared it with my sister and we made these cookies with my nephew and nieces. I thought it was such a fun way to teach children about the true meaning of Easter, and to enjoy a fun Easter treat.

I can't wait until little "r" is old enough to understand, so we can add these fun cookies to our Easter tradition. I hope you all enjoy and I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend!


EASTER MAGIC COOKIES

Ingredients and tools:
1 C. whole walnuts or pecans (nut of choice)
1 t. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 zip-lock bag
rolling pin or meat tenderizer (to crush the nuts)
Cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper
Masking tape
Bible

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

2. Put all the nuts into the zip-lock bag and have the children beat with the meat tenderizer to crush them.

Explain that after Jesus' arrest, he was beaten by Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Pour 1 teaspoon vinegar into the mixing bowl.

Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30

4. Add the egg whites to the vinegar.

Tell the children that eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave his life so that we could be resurrected and have eternal life. Read John 10:10-11

5. Sprinkle a little salt into your hand. Let the children touch it and taste it. Then add a little to the bowl.

Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers during his crucifixion. Read Luke 23:27
Ask the children if any of the ingredients seem very appetizing at this point?

6. Add 1 Cup sugar.

Explain that the sweetest thing about Easter is that Jesus died because he loved us so much. Read Psalm 34:8, John 3:16

7. Beat all the ingredients with a mixer on high for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks form.

Explain that the color white represents the purity. And that we can be pure because of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Read Isaiah 1:18

8. Fold in the crushed nuts, then drop the dough by teaspoon fulls, about 2 inches apart, onto a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper or wax paper.

Explain that each mound of dough represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt 27:57-60

9. Put the cookie sheet into the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.

Have the children help you tape the oven closed, to seal the door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt 27:65-66

10. Leave the cookies in the oven overnight.

Explain to the children that it may seem sad or hard to leave the cookies int he oven overnight, but that's how Jesus' followers felt when his tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20,22

11. Wake the next morning before the children and remove the tape and open the oven door.

When the children wake up, have them come to the kitchen then give them each a cookie. Point out to them that the surface of the cookies are cracked, then have them each take a bite. The cookies will be hollow. Explain that on the first Easter Jesus' followers were surprised to find the tomb empty. However, when they realized what that meant, they rejoiced! Read John 11:25-26

Gingerbread Tradition...

Several years ago my sister and her family started the tradition of making and decorating gingerbread houses on Thanksgiving weekend. My husband and I have joined in for the last few years and now that we have a little family of our own, we definitely want this to become one of our family traditions. We weren't sure our little 1 year old would have much interest this year, but we were soooo wrong. Little "R" had the time of her life. She thought she was such a "big" girl helping to decorate, and then of course there was the candy...so much candy. What little munchkin wouldn't be in heaven?

Here's our finished product...


We of course won't be eating this creation. The gingerbread recipe I use for the house's cooks up as hard as a rock and after a few weeks the candy would chip a tooth. But it's sure fun to look at through the holidays.

For our gingerbread taste craving, I prefer these delicious "soft" gingerbread cookies. Most everyone I know already has this recipe, so sorry it's not that original. But just in case you don't have it, I had to post it. These are the yummiest cookies ever. I have to admit, I sometimes make these even when it's not the holidays.


SOFT GINGERBREAD COOKIES

2 ¼ C. Flour
2 t. ground ginger
1 t. baking soda
¾ t. cinnamon
½ t. cloves
¾ C. butter
1 C. sugar
1 egg
¼ C. molasses
2 T. sugar (for dipping)

1. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves in a small mixing bowl.
2. In a mixing bowl cream the butter sugar and egg. Add the molasses beat well.
3. Stir the flour mixture into egg mixture.
4. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar to coat.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
6. Makes 2-3 dozen cookies.

Want to start a creepy tradition...

I'm so excited for Halloween! I don't know why. It's always been my least favorite holiday. I've never really thought much about it until this year. I'm sure it has something to do with little "R". I know she won't remember this Halloween and the whole dressing up and trick-or-treating may just freak her out...who knows! But I'm so excited to find out. Honestly, I'm pretty sure she's going to love it. As soon as she gets one taste of the good stuff...the treats...I think she'll be a fan.

As many of you know, well most of you probably don't, I didn't get married until I was 32. Little "R" was born when I was 34. So I had many years of childless years waiting for my turn to bask in the joy of kid loving holidays.

My sister however was married at 18 and now has 3 teenagers, who still love Halloween! Probably because she always made it, and all other holidays, special and exciting. My sisters pretty crafty and amazing! She has been brilliant at creating the best traditions for her family; both meaningful and whimsical.

One such tradition that I think is pretty cool; Halloween inspired dinners. The week or several days leading up Halloween, she always makes spooky, gross, or scary snacks and meals for the kids. They love it and always look forward to her annual creepy creations.

This year little "R" isn't quite old enough to really appreciate or "get" the concept of creative cooking, but by next year I'm hoping to start this same tradition. If you think this would be a cool tradition as well. Click here for some awesome Halloween inspired recipes that are sure to please all the little goblins in your house.

Recipe and photo's from "Family Fun Magazine"

Swamp Juice

Mummy Pizza's

Carrot Finger Food

Apple Bites

Cornbelly's Discount Offer

Today we ventured out to take little "R" to Cornbelly's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Fest. We had fee tickets so it seemed liked a good day to use them. At least I thought it would be, it actually turned out to be a very warm day...I felt like I was at a "Summer" festival instead of a "Fall" festival. But I have to say I was much more impressed with Cornbelly's than I thought I would be. They had quite the variety of fun activities for children of all ages. We were there for a little over 2 hours but I'm sure if little "R" were a little bigger "R" we could have spent a lot more time. There are way too many activities to list them all. Check out their website for all the details.

So...this post is a little shout out for Cornbelly's. I give it a solid "A" for family fun. The only downside is the price. $10-$15 per person seems a little expensive, especially for larger families. There is quite a bit to do, but I think they need to incorporate a family pass or discount.

In the mean time, if you would like to visit Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point in Utah. Click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page for a $2 discount off admission.

(Photo's taken from the Cornbelly's website.)