Fluffy Pumpkin Pie Filling

After a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, not everyone wants to fill up on a heavy dessert, so I decided to make a variation on a favorite... Pumpkin Pie. (I tried it for the 1st time yesterday at my homeschool meeting and OH.MY.GOSH! YUM!!!)

Of course, this recipe is just for the filling, you will need to figure out how you would like to serve it ;)

Some ideas: with graham crackers for dipping, piped into fillo dough (what I'm planning on doing), or in a pre-made graham cracker crust.

Fluffy Pumpkin Pie Filling

ingredients

1 8oz Cool Whip

1 5oz pkg instant vanilla pudding

1 15oz. can solid pack pumpkin

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

In a large bowl mix together the dry instant vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin and spices. Fold in Cool Whip and chill.

YUM!

Low Fat Fluffy Cheesecake

Every now and then, I just have to break the no high fructose corn syrup diet...just because, and today is one of those days...

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am making desserts and sometimes, Cool Whip is just essential in making a dessert really a dessert.

And, Cool Whip is just way too yummy and easy to completely give up ;)

(if for some reason you can't find Cool Whip, you can substitute using your own whipped cream using 1 pint of heavy whipping crean and sugar to taste)

Fluffy Cheesecake

ingredients

1 8oz tub Cool Whip

1 8oz block of cream cheese (I used low fat)

1/3 c. splenda or sugar

graham cracker pie crust

Whip the first 3 ingredients together using a mixer and scoop into pie crust. Chill until ready to serve.

The top photo is a stock photo. I am actually piping it into mini fillo shells tomorrow and topping with cherries. YUM!

My Favorite Banana Bread

Wondering what to do with a bunch of over-ripe bananas?
Why not make some yummy banana bread!
It's a family favorite in our house, as a breakfast treat, to accompany a cup of coffee, or this time of year, great for gift-giving :)
Normally I share lots of pictures of the baking process, but this recipe is so so simple that I figured I'd just share the final photo and the delicious recipe :)

My Favorite Banana Bread

Ingredients
1/2 c. unsalted butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour, sifted
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. ripe bananas, mashed (about 5)
2/3 c. nuts, chopped (optional)
(I have also substituted chocolate chips, or coconut & dried pineapple)

Preheat oven to 325.
Grease a 2 qt. loaf pan or two 2lb. loaf pans*
In a large bowl, cream butter & sugar. Add eggs, vanilla & bananas. Blend well.
Beat in remaining ingredients.
Pour into loaf pan.
Bake 1 hour & 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Remove from pan while still warm.
Cool before slicing.

YUM!
* Can also be made into muffins. Cook for apx. 15-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

OR, For a Gluten-Free diet:
Recipe from Book of Yum

Ingredients
2 cups white rice flour or your favorite simple gluten-free flour blend
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups mashed, ripe bananas (about 5)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil

Preheat oven to 350F.
Spray medium bread pan with nonstick cooking spray or grease with margarine and reserve. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and then make a well in the center.
Add eggs, banana, sugar, and oil to the center and combine them before folding into the rest of the dry ingredients.
Pour into your bread pan.
Bake for an hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool for a few minutes before removing from pan, and then cool on a wire rack.
Slice a piece and enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week 25

There is a HUGE need for me to become more organized with my meal planning.
I tend to just fly by the seat of my pants each day, which tends to make dinner planning quite expensive, so after seeing this idea over at Organizing Junkie, I decided to make it a weekly plan for myself.

* It's become even more important now that both Will & David are on Gluten-free, casein-free diets.

Week 25

Sunday: Game Day Baked Potato Bar (potatoes with all the fixin' s)

Monday: (wheatless) meatball subs with provalone, potato chips, applesauce (the 2 boys will eat their meatballs sans rolls)

Tuesday: spagetti & left-over meatballs & sausages

Wednesday: chicken & rice, side salad, fresh fruit

Thursday: (formal dinner) kielbasa & mashed potatoes, sauerkraut & spiced apples

Friday: (movie night) soup & wraps

Saturday: Birthday Party for cousin Timmy

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week 24

There is a HUGE need for me to become more organized with my meal planning.
I tend to just fly by the seat of my pants each day, which tends to make dinner planning quite expensive, so after seeing this idea over at Organizing Junkie, I decided to make it a weekly plan for myself.

Week 24

Sunday: Game Day wings, chicken tenders & chili with cheddar & sour cream

Monday: grilled cheese & soup

Tuesday: beef stew and hot buttered rolls

Wednesday: (birthday dinner for Emma & Will) shepherd's pie & birthday cake

Thursday: (formal dinner) Emeril's jambalaya, salad, & crusty bread

Friday: (movie night) chicken, rice & steamed carrots

Saturday: Birthday Party LOTS of YUMMY PARTY FOOD

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week 23

There is a HUGE need for me to become more organized with my meal planning.
I tend to just fly by the seat of my pants each day, which tends to make dinner planning quite expensive, so after seeing this idea over at Organizing Junkie, I decided to make it a weekly plan for myself.

Week 23

Sunday: angel hair pasta with chicken parmesan and garlic bread

Monday: potato chowder and crusty bread

Tuesday: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, applesauce & dinner rolls

Wednesday: seasoned chicken breast, wild rice, fresh fruit & side salad

Thursday: (formal dinner) pork roast, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes & steamed carrots

Friday: (movie night) chili with rice & cornbread

Saturday: breakfast for dinner

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week 22

There is a HUGE need for me to become more organized with my meal planning.
I tend to just fly by the seat of my pants each day, which tends to make dinner planning quite expensive, so after seeing this idea over at Organizing Junkie, I decided to make it a weekly plan for myself.

Week 22

Sunday: Date Night for Russ & I

Monday: filet mignon & roasted chicken & prosciutto borsetti

Tuesday: shepherd's pie

Wednesday: chicken & rice, corn & side salad

Thursday: (formal dinner) ham, mac & cheese & apple pie ala mode

Friday: (movie night) McDonald's (we will be traveling up to PA)

Saturday: BBQ Night, Up in PA , sausage on grill, salad, asparagus & potato salad