Recipe of the Moment: Pumpkin Pie

(Don't forget to enter my chocolate cookbook giveaway going on!)

Still looking for that last minute recipe to perfect your Thanksgiving this year?

Add pumpkin pie! I found this easy recipe last year, and I've been making it ever since. The boyfriend, who hates sweets in general, also devours it - clearly a winner. Unlike traditional pies, the crust topping is made of walnuts, cinnamon, and sugar - lots of crumbly goodness!





Ingredients
1 9" pie crust

Topping
1/2 cup walnuts
1/4 cup golden brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of salt

Filling
1 cup golden brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 can pure pumpkin puree
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350.

For Topping:
Combine all ingredients in a processor or blender. Blend to fine crumbs.

For Filling
Stir brown sugar, eggs, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a large bowl. Add pumpkin and cream and stir until well blended.

Pour filling into crust.

Bake until pie is firm, about 30 minutes.

Sprinkle topping over the pie. Reduce oven temperature to 325 and continue to bake until filling is set, about 15 minutes.

Cool completely before serving.

Enjoy!

Recipe of the Moment: Pear, Feta, and Bacon Stuffing

(Don't forget to enter my chocolate cookbook giveaway going on!)

I celebrated one of my many Thanksgiving dinners early this year, and it was so delicious. I'm definitely looking forward to the other 2-3 more I have this coming week.

We had the usual fixings: chicken, mashed cauliflower, roasted broccoli, baguettes, and, of course, stuffing.

But I didn't want to do my usual stuffing. While it's good, it's pretty standard and boring. I did a quick search for other stuffing recipes, hoping to be inspired, and I definitely was! I found a recipe at Schnoodle Soup that involved feta cheese, pears, and bacon. I was in.

This stuffing is so delicious. Oddly enough, I couldn't want to try it so as soon as it came out of the oven, I tasted it, and I was a little disappointed. I didn't say anything to the boyfriend, but just set it on the table and served myself as usual. I took another bite (at the appropriate time), and this time I was in love! I'm not sure if it just needed to cool or if I had too much bread and not enough of the filling, but every bite after the first one was spectacular.

If you're in the mood for something a little different, definitely give this recipe a try!

Ingredients

1 loaf of French bread, either from the bakery or using this recipe

3 stalks of celery, chopped

1 small onion, diced

2 pears, cored, peeled, and cut into cubes

5 slices of bacon, chopped

4 oz. feta, crumbled

1/2 tsp. ground thyme

1/2 tsp. ground sage

1/3 cup fresh parsley

2 cups water

olive oil

salt

pepper

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 300. Cut the bread into small cubes, and lay them out on a baking sheet.

Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until dried out. Place in a large bowl and set aside.

Turn up the oven to 350. 

Lay the bacon out on the cooking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on desired crispiness level. (Trust me, baking is so much better than using a skillet.)

In a large skillet, add a small amount of olive oil. Add onions, and cook over medium heat until translucent  about 5 minutes.

Add celery, and cook an additional 3-5 minutes.

Add pears, and cook for an additional minute.

Stir in thyme, sage, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Remove from heat and add mixture to the bread in the bowl, stirring to ensure even distribution.

Add in bacon and feta, continuing to stir.

Coat a 9x13 pan with oil, and add mixture. 

Pour additional 2 cups of water over the mixture.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!