Herbed Pumpkin Rosettes

I tried this recipe when the kids were little and it quickly became an O'Brien Thanksgiving favorite. It is easy and fun for the kids to help - what kid doesn't like rolling out "snakes".  Whenever I bring this to a family gathering, they disappear instantly! It also uses the excess pumpkin from pumpkin pie fixin's.

Herbed Pumpkin Rosettes 

1 16 oz. pkg. Hot Roll Mix

3/4 C canned pumpkin (I have used fresh pumpkin pulp)

1/2 C water

1/4 C sugar

1/4 C butter

2 eggs

1/2 C all-purpose flour

************

1 Tbsp butter, melter

1/4 tsp. dried basil, crushed

1/4 tsp dried rosemary, finely crushed

Place all (except last 3) ingredients into mixing chamber of bread machine.

Set machine on dough and start.

Turn onto lightly floured surface.

Divide into 20 pieces. Roll each piece into 12 inch rope. Tie rope into a loose knot leaving two long ends. Tuck top end under roll; bring bottom end up and tuck into center of the roll.
Place 2-3 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Brush with melted butter. Combine rosemary and basil and sprinkle over rolls. Cover, let rise until nearly double (about 20 minutes).

Bake in 375 F oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 20 rolls. 

These melt in your mouth!

MaryAnn's Pumpkin Pie

This recipe was given to me by our "BEST EVER" neighbors, Mary Ann and Dale Wiskur on Holloway Reservoir in Columbiaville when we were first married. I had hosted a harvest party for our Sunday School class and ended up having a bunch of sugar pumpkins left over. When I didn't know what to do with them, MaryAnn suggested I cook them, and freeze the pulp for baking throughout the year. She also gave me this best Pumpkin Pie recipe! I think of you whenever I make this recipe, MaryAnn!

MaryAnn's Pumpkin Pie

2 C           pumpkin

1 C           canned evaporated milk

1/4 C       brown sugar

1/4 C       sugar

1/4 C       molasses

3               eggs

1/2 tsp.   salt

1 Tbsp     flour

2 tsp.       pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp.   cinnamon

Place all ingredients in blender and mix. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake at 325 F for 45-60 minutes or until done. Check with toothpick. YUMMY!

Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip Cookies

The story behind these: My college roommate sent me this Neiman-Marcus Cookie Urban Legend e-mail many years ago. (I can't help but think of you every time I bake them, Leslie!) These cookies come out perfect every time, if you follow the directions - make sure you use butter!  

Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip Cookies  

(I cut the recipe in half)

Cream the butter and both sugars:

2 cups butter
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups brown sugar 

Add eggs and vanilla:

4 eggs 

2 tsp. vanilla 

Mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda:

4 cups flour
5 cups blended oatmeal (measure oatmeal and blend in blender to a fine powder)
1 tsp. salt 

2 tsp. baking powder 

2 tsp. baking soda

Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar and nuts:

24 oz. chocolate chips 

1 8 oz. Hershey bar (grated)
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet..Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies..

This is per Cristin's request. Isn't it appropriate - she is planning to do some baking with her college buddies!

 Have Fun!!!

Slow Cooker Rigatoni

I made this recipe for today's "Carry-In" (Christians don't believe in luck so we had to rename it...:-D) Farewell Dinner for Pastor Larry and Kim. I love this easy recipe given to me by my good friend, Lorene Ashford,- a spicy twist to baked Mostaccioli. I've edited it slightly.


Mix together:
2 - 28 oz. jar spaghetti sauce
1 lb. ground beef browned
(sliced mushrooms, and onions optional.)

16 oz. rigatoni noodles, cooked
6 oz. pepperoni slices
3 cups mozzarella cheese

1. In 4 quart slow cooker, layer half of each ingredient in order listed. (I put approximately one cup of sauce on the bottom to start.)
2. Repeat layers
3. Cover. Cook on LOW 4-5 hours.

Dad's Cookies

Craig called from his tree stand announcing that he was missing something very important - COOKIES! *GASP!* I didn't have the usual chocolate chips so I whipped up some "Dad's Cookies" to keep him stocked for the rest of the week.

I couldn't help but think of Gramps, Papa, and Big Grandpa Knable - so many good memories. I also thought of Granny, as I followed her hand-written recipe, and Nonna - remembering my "Dad's Cookies" mishap: I had copied Granny's recipe, but forgot to copy the flour. The next time I made the cookies, we had a doughy, gooey mess in the bottom of the oven! :-D

Dad's Cookies
(Granny Knable/Aunt Geri?)

1 C shortening
2 C brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp soda
2 C flour
2 C oatmeal
2 C coconut

Cream shortening, sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Add coconut and oatmeal. Make balls size of walnuts. Thumb print and fill with jelly.

Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes.

ENJOY! Yummmy! (Milk or coffee a must!!!)