Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake (can be habit forming!!)

 I spent part of my weekend baking, just so I would have recipes to share this week.....Well, that and feeding my hungry family.  I had four out of five children home, plus we went to a family birthday party, so there was a lot of reason to cook. I started out by using the pan pictured above. It is a mini cheesecake pan...complete with bottoms that pop out (as shown). Uber cool. I bought it on Amazon this past summer.

 The crust on this cheesecake recipe is easy to make and very generous. I put over a tablespoon (probably more like two) of crust in each little hole, and used the back of the tablespoon to pack it in (as shown). I made sure some of the crust was going up the sides.

 The ingredients for the cheesecake are fast and easy to whip (literally!) together. I had forgotten to set my cream cheese out to soften, but other than that it was smooth sailing.

The cheesecake pan has twelve holes and this recipe made exactly enough for twelve. Perfect!

 I added whipped topping to the top of mine, but you can add anything you want. (My children had suggestions of hot caramel, chocolate, marshmallow topping, cinammon whipped cream to name a few!)

 If you do not have, nor wish to purchase a mini cheesecake pan, they can probably be made in a muffin pan as well. I cannot promise results though! And here's what you have all been waiting for..........

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake

Crust:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Filling:

1 eight ounce package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (or cooked and mashed fresh pumpkin)

1 egg plus 1 egg white, slightly beaten

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

pinch of ground cloves

   Preheat oven to 375 degrees, lightly grease the insides of the mini cheesecake pan (I use cooking spray).

   In a medium bowl, mix crust ingredients until well combined. Divide mixture evenly between the 12 cups. Press crumbs firmly on bottom and 1/3 up sides of each cup using your fingertips or the bottom of a tablespoon. Set aside.
   In a separate medium bowl, blend filling ingredients together until smooth. Spoon this mixture into each crust-lined cup, dividing evenly between all 12.
   Place cheesecake pan into the preheated oven and bake for 14 minutes. Remove from oven and place on rack to cool for 20 minutes. Carefully remove cheesecakes from pan by pressing up from the bottom of each cup. Let cheesecakes cool completely on wire rack then refrigerate until ready to serve.
  Just before serving, add the topping of your choice.

Recipe Notes: You can change up the amount and type of spices in this recipe to suit your own taste.

 These are so good you might even find that people grab little bites of it as it sits on the table!
                                           Enjoy!

Heros Protecting Heros--With my Gratitude

On this 14th day of gratitude

I am grateful for

The Patriot Guard. 

The Patriot Guard was formed in 

Mulvane, Kansas, in 2005.

The Patriot Guard was originally formed

to serve as a protective shield to families

who had lost a loved one that was serving 

in the war. 

There is another group in Kansas that, ironically,

uses their religion to protest at funerals.

Far from a religious group that they proclaim to be, they

only spout hate messages.

This group has the audacity to 

protest at the funerals of our fallen soldiers.

Again ironically, they are protesting at the 

funerals of the very men and women that

are giving them the right to protest!

This is where the Patriot Guard steps in.

Instead of spewing the same hate message as the 

"religious group"

they surround and shield the family and friends

of the fallen soldier. 

They come to the funeral on their motorcycles

donned in an array of flags.

When the "religious" group begins to 

shout their obscenities (yes, obscenities)

the Patriot Guard 

rev up the engines of their motorcycles.

They have figured a way to beat the

"religious" group

at their own game.

What started in Kansas to protect 

a couple of families,

has turned in to a 

nation wide phenomenon.

The Patriot Guard now 

boasts over 200,000 members.

I have personally seen the group 

several times, and

each time, 

just the sight of them 

proudly 

protecting

people

they have never met

brings me to tears.

This week there was a decorated young soldier

laid to rest in a small Oklahoma town.

He left behind a young wife and children.

Once again,

the "religious" group

showed up to shout their hate-mongering words.

Once again,

the Patriot Guard was there

to surround, shield and love the family.

For the Patriot Guard, created out of need to a

bad situation,

I will always be proud and grateful

for the work they do.

In a final (what I perceive as humorous) twist, 

at the funeral of the heroic soldier 

this week,

when the religious group got back to their caravan,

the van of their leader was found to have four flat tires.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20101114_11_A12_CUTLIN105145&allcom=1

 

They soon found their tires were beyond repair (hmmmmm).

But the citizens of this small Oklahoma town

found their own way to 

take care of the "religious group".

No one in the town would fix the tires,

or sell new tires

to the "religious" group.

Seems just as there is Freedom of Speech

for the "religious group"

there is also the "Right to refuse sales"

to anyone that store owners so deem.

Back at 'ya "religious" zealots.

Seems the country-bumpkins from

Kansas and Oklahoma 

are smarter than 

a lot of people think!

If you ever have a chance to see the Patriot Guard

be sure and tell them

how grateful we are

for their service as well!

Super Quick. Super Easy. Super Delicious....

It is Sunday night. I have not posted my recipe for the day. I was trying to think of something quick to post....which would in turn make it quick to make. I baked a lot today and Hubs could not understand why I would not just use something I had made today!  I told him I needed something quick to post and make. He reminded me of the pretzel rods I make.

I fully realize everyone has seen and probably made these.  I just thought I would pass along a little secret that I add to mine.  A few years ago I needed to make something really quick to take somewhere and I looked into my pantry.  I spotted this secret ingredient and instantly thought ...."Hmmmmmm, that would be perfect!" So, I put two and two together and I had a sure winner. (This declaration comes from my children, therefore making it official!!)

The secret ingredient: Caramel Apple Wraps!!  I take one of the caramel apple wraps and cut it into strips.  Then I begin to wrap it around the pretzel rod. As you wrap it around the pretzel rod, it begins to stretch out.  It sticks very easy and goes on quickly.  One bag of caramel wraps goes a long way, since you cut it into strips and stretch it out.  Once you put the caramel on, then use your favorite chocolate dip (or other flavor), sprinkle on your favorite toppings, and you've got a great, fast, delicious treat! 

The only thing left to do is to eat....and share!

These make terrific treats for your friends and family.

As always, enjoy!!!!

Yes 'Mam I love Manners

On this 13th day of giving gratitude, I am grateful for manners.  In particular, people that display and use manners on a regular basis.  

As a high school teacher I can tell you that YES! it does make a huge difference.  My classroom runs so much smoother when the students learn to show respect for each other, the items in the room AND the teacher!!

On a bigger picture, the world runs so much smoother when we all learn to show respect for each other, the world around us AND those we are in contact with daily.


Simple "thank you's", "you are welcome", "pardon me", "please", "how are you's", and "here let me help" set the tone of respect for those encountered.


Holding the door, using a friendly tone and listening to others attentively turns a stranger into a friend.


So many times it is the kindness of simple manners that turn a bad day around to being a good day.


For those people that continue to use good manners I am grateful.  For those that teach good manners by example (on a daily basis), you have my utmost respect and admiration. You make each day better for someone.  For that I am grateful.
 

Shepherds Pie for a Lazy Evening

I have shared my sweet tooth for the last several days, so today I decided to share a fast and easy to make meal-in-one-dish. My son Luke actually made the meal and took the pictures....AND ate quite a bit of the meal! This is a typical Irish meal that you can tweak to your families taste.

Shepherds Pie

In a large pot, boil potatoes until tender. We make a large casserole and use

the potato layer on the top and bottom, so we probably use at least 3 lbs. worth of potatoes. You can make whatever is right for your family.

When the potatoes are tender, make them like you would mashed potatoes.

We also like to add a handful of shredded cheddar cheese, a big dollop of sour cream to the usual milk and butter. )

While the potatoes are cooking we also fry a 2 pound package of hamburger meat.  

And as always, we really like to season. 

(Garlic salt, onion salt, pepper, crushed hot pepper...but that is all up to you)

Drain your hamburger meat well.

Put a layer of mashed potatoes in the casserole dish.

Layer in the hamburger meat mixture.

We added a can (or two) of (drained) corn.

(Sometimes we put peas and/or carrots as well).

Finish off with the rest of your mashed potatoes.

We like to finish it off with shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Eat up and think of all your Irish relatives!!

Enjoy.