Author: Kara Bonsack

Piña y Menta

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ingredientes

  • 1/4 de piña
  • 1012 hojas de menta
  • ½ galón de agua

Instrucciones

Pele y corte finamente ¼ de piña. Cuanto más delgada sea la piña, más se infundirá el sabor. Agregue a un frasco de vidrio de ½ galón con 1012 hojas de menta fresca, y rellene con agua. Revuela suavemente y colóquelo en el refrigerador por al menos 4 horas.

Baked Squash

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Baked squash on a pan sheet

Did you know? Squash is packed with vitamin A (good for eyes, skin and immune system), vitamin C (good for healing and fighting off illness) and contains lots of fiber for digestive health!

Ingredients

  • 1 squash (butternut, acorn, pumpkin)
  • 1 tsp. butter (optional)
  • 1 tsp. brown sugar Handful of walnuts (optional)
  • Sprinkle of dried cranberries or raisins (optional)

Directions

  1. Poke several holes in the squash.
  2. Microwave on high, 6-8 minutes OR bake on a baking sheet at 350° F. for 20-25 minutes just to soften the squash.
  3. Carefully cut the squash in half - careful, it might be hot! Remove and save the seeds.
  4. Place both halves on a baking sheet with flesh side up.
  5. Spread a small amount of butter (optional) on each half. Sprinkle brown sugar over squash flesh. Add a small handful of chopped walnuts if desired. Sprinkle dried cranberries or raisins on each half, if desired.
  6. Bake 15-20 minutes at 350° F. Poke the squash to see if it's tender. If tender, remove and let slightly cool. Scoop out the flesh and serve.

Don't want to let the squash seeds go to waste? HERE IS A QUICK AND EASY RECIPE TO PUT THEM TO USE! YOU CAN USE PUMPKIN SEEDS, TOO!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup winter squash seeds
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 275 ° F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  2. After removing the seeds from the squash, rinse with water and remove any strings of squash. Pat dry, and place in a small bowl.
  3. Stir the olive oil and salt with the seeds until evenly coated and spread out in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the seeds start to pop. Remove from oven and cool on the baking sheet before serving. Enjoy

Apple Butternut Squash Cobbler

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Ingredients

Apple Mixture

  • 3 medium size apples, cored and sliced
  • 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed, diced small (Microwave squash on HIGH for about 5 minutes to soften before cutting.)
  • 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup flour

Topping

  • 1 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 cup canola/vegetable oil

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. Grease a 9"x 13" pan.
  3. In a bowl, combine all ingredients listed above the line for the apple mixture and pour into the baking pan.
  4. In another bowl, combine all ingredients listed below the line for the topping; spread the topping over the apple mixture.
  5. Bake for 40 minutes.
  6. Slice and serve.

Fall Pasta Salad

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Fall Pasta Salad

Makes 6 servings.

35 minutes cook time.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of penne or rotini pasta
  • olive or canola oil
  • 10 ounces frozen or fresh butternut squash, cubed
  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts, cut in half
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
  • 6 oz. spinach
  • 6 oz. Parmesan cheese (optional)

For the sauce

  • 1 tsp. oil
  • 1/2 white onion, diced
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 1/4 cup low-fat milk
  • juice of 1/2 a lemon

Directions

  1. Cook pasta in boiling water according to directions. Drain pasta, and set aside. Set large pot aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 425° F.
  3. Grab two sheet pans. Spread the Brussels sprout halves in a single layer on one, and butternut squash cubes on the other.
  4. Drizzle with oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes, or until light golden brown and tender.
  5. Use a small pot to make the sauce. Start by adding 1 tsp. oil and the diced onion. Cook on medium heat until golden.
  6. Add butter. Once melted, add milk and heat for one minute. Add lemon juice and garlic powder. Turn heat down to low and let simmer.
  7. In the large pot you boiled the pasta in, add sauce, pasta, cooked vegetables, and spinach. Gently combine, and let cook for 3 minutes on low-medium heat.
  8. Top with Parmesan cheese. Serve warm, or at room temperature.

Apple Pancakes

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5 pancakes on a white plate, with 2 apples behind it


Makes 6 Servings
A fall breakfast favorite for the whole family!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup applesauce
  • 1/4 cup dry milk powder, non-fat instant
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

Directions

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine applesauce, dry milk powder, water, eggs, and oil.
  • Add flour, sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder.
  • Stir until mixture has only small lumps.
  • Place large skillet on medium-high heat.
  • Spray skillet with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Pour 1/2 cup batter onto skillet.
  • Turn pancake when bubbles form on top of batter.
  • Cook the other side for about 1 minute or until golden brown.

Healthier Pumpkin Pie

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A slice of pumpkin pie on a plate

Serves: 9

Preparation: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Use 100% pureed pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix which has added sugar! Substitute 1 cup fresh pureed pumpkin for 1 cup canned pumpkin puree.

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree*
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup low-fat milk (can substitute skim or unsweetened dairy-free milk)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. allspice
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 9-inch bottom pie crust

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and warm water.
  2. Make pie crust as directed.
  3. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  4. Make the filling: In a large mixing bowl, add the pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, allspice, and salt. Mix until completely smooth.
  5. Pour mixture into pie crust.
  6. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until filling is no longer jiggly. Check every 20 minutes to make sure pie crust doesn't burn!
  7. Allow pie to cool completely before slicing.
  8. Store leftover pie in refrigerator.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos

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Sweet Potato black bean tacos

Makes 8 tacos.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 sweet potato, diced
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 8 small tortillas
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, avocado, diced tomatoes or salsa, cilantro, lime juice

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and warm water.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil.
  3. Once hot, add the diced sweet potato and red onion.
  4. Sauté for about 15 minutes.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the taco seasoning.
  6. Cook for 10 more minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are soft and cooked through.
  7. Add the black beans, toss to combine, and cook for 5 more minutes.
  8. Place potato and bean mixture on tortilla. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Pineapple Mint

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Pineapple and mint drink in a glass


Makes 1/2 gallon

Ingredients

  • 1/4 of a pineapple
  • 1/2 gallon of water
  • 10-12 fresh mint leaves

Directions

Peel and thinly slice ¼ of a pineapple. The more thinly sliced pineapple, the more the flavor will infuse. Add to a ½ gallon size glass jar with 10-12 fresh mint and fill with water. Stir gently and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Basic Tomato Sauce

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tomato sauce and small tomatoes

Makes: 6 servings

Serving size: 1/4 cup

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 onion (medium, chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 1 pound fresh tomatoes, (seeds removed and chopped) OR 1 can (14 ½ oz), peeled tomatoes (chopped)
  • 3 Tbsp. fresh basil (chopped) OR
  • 1 Tbsp. dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. tomato paste

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft.
  2. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, black pepper, sal, and sugar. If using dried basil, add it here as well.
  3. Cook 15 minutes.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook another 15 to 20 minutes. Add the fresh basil during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking.