Friday, October 25, 2013

Pasta with Pumpkin Cream Sauce and Crispy Sage

Pumkin sage sauceedut

Not sure there's any bowl of pasta that's much more satisfying than this, Pasta with Pumpkin Cream Sauce and Crispy Sage!

I used a fresh spinach tortellini here, but any pasta would do...

If your sauce seems too thick, you can easily thin it out with some milk, to keep with the creamy consistency (while not adding additional cream) or even a chicken or vegetable stock would work just fine.

The fried sage, toasted walnuts and freshly grated cheese on top ~ pulls the entire dish together!

Show them you love them and make this tonight!  You'll find my recipe here at SheKnows: Pasta with pumpkin cream sauce and crispy sage

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Halloween food idea ~ Mini scream face pizzas

Scream Pizza SheKnows

Two English muffins or a piece of store bought Naan bread will form the shape of the face for these individual mini Scream Face Pizzas.

If you're making for a group of kids, either construct the pizzas and place them on an oven sheet - show them the pan with the pizzas uncooked and then again after they're cooked - so they can see how the cheese melted and the scream face formed.

Or... cook them right before kids arrive, turn off the oven and allow them to keep warm in the oven until ready to serve.

Or Plan C... let the kids get involved in the making of the scream face pizzas!  Have a contest for...scariest face, most like the original scream face, silliest face, messiest face...etc....

Have Fun and Happy Halloween!!!  You'll find the how to here at SheKnows: Mini Scream Face Pizzas

Friday, October 18, 2013

Mini caramel apple bites

MiniApplesedit

Feeling the need to redeem myself after, Ralphy the barfing pumpkin. These mini caramel apple bites are the polar opposite...

When I was finished making this plate here, I was half expecting the Queen of England to walk through my kitchen door to place an order.  Now I know...she probably has someone do that stuff for her...but in my imagination, it was her....and she wanted a lot!

So many ...that I was going to have to move to England and open up a quaint little shop where all I do is make these darling little candies for the Royal family... and they just keep handing me sacks of gold for payment!

Kate would become a regular and my best'est friend!

She would share her clothes with me (because in my fantasy we wear the same size) AND let me borrow her riding boots - then give me a few pairs because she, "has so many and we ARE bff's!"

I don't bake or make sweet things very often...so when I do...and it's easy..AND they turn out cute...I'm quite impressed with myself.

So anyway....these are a super adorable (for real ONE bite) treat! They look so pretty when plated and the topping choices are endless! In my experience, the crushed peanuts did the best job of holding up and keeping the caramel in place.

A great idea for any kind of autumn party (Kids, adults or Royalty!!!)...you'll find the recipe here at SheKnows: Mini caramel apple bites

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Barfing pumpkin Jack-o-lantern with a simple chili cheese dip

Barfing pumpkin with simple queso chili cheese dip

When I mentioned to my mom that one of my assignments for SheKnows, was to make and photograph this barfing pumpkin, the phone went silent on the other end....then...

"Oh, Carolyn... that's disgusting! You're not for real, right?"

"Ummm, yes, I have to carve a pumpkin into a Jack-o-lantern and make it look as if it's throwing up cheese dip."

Usually my mom is full of suggestions...recipe tips, photo staging ideas, etc, etc... but not for this one...

I imagine the feeling I had at that moment, was the same an adult son or daughter might feel when they tell their parent(s) they're doing porn to, "make ends meet...."

I could hear her thinking...'what if my friends see it? What will I say?"

"But mom, they're paying me to do this...I think it might be fun...."

"Well... you do what you have to do... and that's enough talk about that...."

So here he is. We named him Ralphy (get it?). The kids, husband and I grew attached to Ralphy while he was in our home.

He's gone now.  Only survived a few days after this throwing up episode...shriveled up and is now back outside - one with earth.

Who knows? Maybe next year we'll have some mini Ralphys sprout up from the ground?  That would be nice...

So if you're hosting a Halloween Party this year...this barfing pumpkin's a must!

Some will love him! Some will hate him! You might even lose a few friends....

Luckily for me...my mom is my mom...I am her daughter and well, in this case, you can't choose family.

She's stuck with her, 'gourd barfing carving 3rd born' ...till the end. (At least I carve with my clothes on.  .............I mean...most of the time...)

You'll find the, "how to" here at SheKnows:  Barfing pumpkin chili cheese dip