Pinned.

I know lots of you who read this are on Pinterest and are enjoying all that it has to offer just like me. However, I can tell from conversations with some (probably-very-wise!) friends that there can be a hesitancy to join another social networking site. I totally get that. I'm finding it can be a temptation for me to waste time there. I'm finding it can be a temptation to discontentment. I don't want to be thoughtless about these things and I want to hold them in the balance with the good ideas Pinterest offers and the ways it can be used to serve my family, others, my leisure time, etc.

ANYway, because I've been thinking about that some lately, I've been endeavoring to make sure that I'm actually utilizing Pinterest as a tool to produce and create and organize. I thought it would be fun to post here about ideas that actually come to fruition and try to make sure I'm not just pinning my life away to no real end! Feel free to join me if you have a blog; I would love to read about it.

That said, I pinned some pumpkin seed recipes recently and Dave and I had a relaxing night in the kitchen yesterday evening cleaning out pumpkins and trying different flavors of roasted seeds. I'm posting what we made. The ranch were my favorite and neither of us were crazy about the curried ones.

Curried Pumpkin Seeds
1 egg white
2 teaspoon curry powder
scant 1/2 teaspoon fine grained sea salt
1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds
Cinnamon-Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
1 1/2 cups pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons melted butter (or olive oil)
2 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
Ranch Pumpkin Seeds
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ranch dressing mix
2 cups raw pumpkin seeds, rinse well
Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
3 c. pumpkin seeds, washed
1/2 c. butter
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. each seasoned salt, onion salt and celery salt
1/3 tsp. garlic salt

Pasta Love.

I have a bias for really easy meals. And if they are also cheap and come without a ton of processed ingredients, then I am SOLD. Especially when it's pasta!

So, if you're like me (pregnant, starving, and lacking energy)....enjoy this recipe:

1 box rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
1 large container cottage cheese
Your favorite spaghetti sauce (I simmer mine w/ lots of Italian spices and a little sugar for an hour or two in the afternoon)
2 cups shredded mozzarella

Just throw the pasta, cottage cheese, and red sauce together in a baking dish and top with mozzarella cheese. Baked uncovered at 350 until bubbly and brown (about 30-45 minutes).

Pumpkin Love.

I made this recipe over and over last fall, both for our family and to give away (as a loaf). It is yummy, super easy, and the perfect compliment to autumn leaves falling, of course.

Light Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (food.com)

• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil (or substitute applesauce for this too)
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces semisweet mini chocolate chips

1. Mix first 5 ingredients together; separately, mix dry ingredients.
2. Blend the two mixtures together, fold in chips.
3. Generously fill 24 greased or paper-lined muffin cups.
4. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 16-20 minutes.

On another note, I am pinching myself remembering that today is WEDNESDAY. My husband has been in China for almost two weeks and I can. not. wait. to have him home this evening! Absence makes the heart grow (even) fonder!

Yesterday was Monday.

The day started like this (as it frequently does)....


...and it ended with this (which is very yummy and comes highly recommended)....

Three Cheese Baked Spaghetti

Pasta Ingredients:

8 ounces spaghetti
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese*
2 ounces crumbled feta cheese, optional

Sauce Ingredients:

8 ounces ground beef
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 cups spaghetti sauce
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 ounces (1/2 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese, optional

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions (al dente). Drain and return to pan (remove from heat though!). Add butter and stir until butter is melted. Add remaining pasta ingredients, stirring to combine. Spread pasta-cheese mixture in the bottom of a greased 8-inch square baking dish.

2. Brown ground beef with the garlic and onion. Drain grease and return to pan. Add pepper, spaghetti sauce, sugar, and Italian seasoning. Stir well and then pour over the pasta, spreading evenly. Sprinkle cheese on top if desired.

3. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until top cheese is browned and spaghetti is bubbly.


The day also ended with a night on the town with the love of my life including pool-crashing, frozen coffee @ dusk, running through a complete downpour (deeeelightful), honest conversation, and a late night movie. I. love. that. man.

Dinner on LakeShore.

This is Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta....which I looooove. I tried a recipe for it last night and it was really good. If you're feeling too skinny, like you need to fatten up a little (yeah, me neither!!!), then try this:):

Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta - The Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 4 tsp. cajun seasoning
• 4 tbsp. butter or margarine
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp. lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 8 oz. cooked penne pasta (drained)
• 2 roma tomatoes, diced
• fresh shredded parmesan, to taste

Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta - The Process:

1. Slightly moisten chicken with water.
2. In a large resealable plastic bag, shake chicken and cajun seasoning until chicken is thoroughly coated.
3. In large skillet, saute chicken in 2 tbsp. butter, over medium heat, turning whenever necessary.
4. When chicken is about half-way done, grab a second skillet and combine heavy cream, 2 tbsp. butter, and remainder of seasonings over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
5. When cream mixture begins to bubble, add the pasta and turn off heat. Stir well.
6. When chicken is cooked through, place on cutting board and slice into strips.
7. Spoon pasta and sauce onto large serving plates (2) and top with chicken, diced tomatoes, and parmesan.
8. Throw a thick, garlicky slice of Texas toast on that bad boy and enjoy!