Parmesan Carrots

This is an incredibly simple side dish that is perfect for kids and grownups alike. The Parmesan coating makes it crispy and more like a french fry.

You will need:

• 4 carrots, peeled
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 T water
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t paprika
• 1/4 t pepper
• 1/2 c Parmesan cheese, grated

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut each carrot so it is half as long, and then cut each piece in half lengthwise so you have 16 pieces.
3. Cut each piece into 3 long slices.
4. Whisk together the egg, water, garlic, paprika and pepper on a plate.
5. Put the Parmesan on a second plate.
6. Dredge a carrot in the egg wash and allow the excess to drip off.
7. Roll in the Parmesan and place on the lined baking sheet.
8. Repeat with the other carrot pieces.
9. Bake for 20 minutes.
10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms

I love mushrooms. They are an ingredient we almost always have in our vegetable drawer at home. This is a very simple side dish with everyday ingredients, perfect for last minute dinner parties.

You will need:

• 1 lb crimini mushrooms, cleaned and de-stemmed
• 1/4 c butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 c breadcrumbs (I used panko)
• 1/4 c Parmesan, grated
• 1/2 t paprika

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place the mushrooms in a pie plate.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the butter and garlic. Spoon over the mushrooms.
4. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Bake for 15 minutes.
6. In a small bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and paprika.
7. Remove the mushrooms from the oven and sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture.
8. Bake another 10-15 minutes, or until the topping starts to turn golden and crispy.

Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

We recently celebrated a Friendsgiving, complete with seven babies. I wanted to bring a dessert that was easy to eat one-handed, so I adapted this pumpkin pie cupcake recipe and it worked great! It tastes a lot like pumpkin pie but in a cupcake form. If you really like the smooth custardy consistency of pumpkin pie, this probably won’t be your favorite dish. However, it has all the same flavors and doesn’t require a fork!

You will need:

• 1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin puree
• 1/4 c brown sugar
• 1/2 c sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 3/4 fat-free evaporated milk
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t ground nutmeg
• 1/2 t ground ginger
• 1/2 t ground cloves
• 1 1/2 t ground cinnamon
• 2/3 c flour
• Whipped cream (Optional)

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the pumpkin together with the sugars, eggs, vanilla, evaporated milk, salt, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and cinnamon.
3. Whisk in the flour.
4. Scoop 1/4 c of the batter into each muffin cup.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until set in the middle.
6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool 25 minutes.
7. Gently remove from the pan and allow to finish cooling on a wire rack.
8. If desired, top with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg before serving.
9. Extras should be refrigerated.

Sticky Garlic Meatballs

These are very yummy and particularly kid friendly. You can prep the meatballs in advance and then warm them up in a slow cooker or a low heat oven when your family and friends gather.

You will need:

• 2 lb ground beef or meatloaf mix
• 1 c old-fashioned oats
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 c milk
• 1 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1 t basil
• 1 t oregano
• 1/2 t pepper
• 1/4 t salt
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 c ketchup
• 2/3 c honey
• 2 T soy sauce

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking dish with foil and spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the beef with the oats, egg, milk, garlic powder, basil, oregano, pepper and salt.
3. Form the mixture into two dozen meatballs and place them on the lined baking sheet.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through and starting to turn golden on the edges.
5. In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic with the ketchup, honey and soy sauce.
6. Mix the meatballs with the sauce and heat through. Serve with friends!