Autumn Muffins

In honor of autumn, pumpkin, spices and butter!  Mmmmm, I can smell these already!

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix together dry ingredients:

1 cup flour

½ cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon salt

Melt 4 tablespoons of butter, then mix into

½ cup milk

1 beaten egg

1 ½ teaspoon vanilla

1 cup pumpkin puree

Quickly stir together wet and dry ingredients, pour into buttered muffin tin, bake for 25 minutes.

If you like a little streusel topping, mix ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 2 tablespoons flour and 2 tablespoons melted butter, spoon on top of batter in tins before baking.

Enjoy!

Kick A** Fresh Salsa

A family favorite - great on chips or salad, even served with cucumber chunks as a salad!
Worth all the hand chopping.

2 large tomatoes diced
1 finely minced jalapeno
2 finely chopped scallions
1/2 lime, juice only
chopped cilantro
salt to taste

Combine.  Adjust heat by adding more or less jalapeno, note that the seeds are hotter than the flesh, so seed the pepper to keep the heat down.  Best when eaten fresh - same day.  If you really want to be hot stuff, fry up your own tortilla chips.  Cut up corn tortillas, fry in 1 to 2 inches of hot oil, salt and serve.

**After handling pepper, don't touch your face until scrubbing hands well with soap and water!**

Stir Fry Green Beans

September 23, 2010
Stir Fry Green Beans

1 lb fresh string beans
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves pressed garlic
1/4 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
salt
pepper

Heat oil in wok, or large non-stick skillet, on medium high heat. Cut stem ends off green beans, rinse and pat dry. Toss into heated wok/skillet, add remaining ingredients, stir fry until crisp tender. Check for doneness with fork.

These are fabulous - and spicy, so cut back on the pepper flakes if you don't like the heat!

World's Best Simple Fudge

September 21, 2010
For the upcoming holiday season.  You know it's not too soon to plan!


World's Best/Easiest Fudge Recipe!
This is great for teacher, neighbor and co-worker gifts.  Easy, fast and irresistable.
 No Kidding !

Ingredients:
I box powdered confectioners sugar (16 oz)
1/2 cup powdered cocoa
1 stick butter (1/4 pound), softened
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

Place first 4 ingredients in microwave safe medium size bowl, no mixing needed.  Microwave on high for 2 1/2 minutes.  Using hand mixer, mix until smooth.  Mix in vanilla, add chopped nuts or dried fruit (CRANBERRIES!!).  Place in lined square cake pan, refrigerate until firm.  Cut, serve, make a another batch to share!