Pumpkin Post

I have been experimenting with a couple recipes around here to incorporate pumpkin into our everyday meals. This morning we had baked oatmeal, and since it turned out to be a hit, I wanted to share it with you.

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal (adapted from here )
3 c. old-fashioned oats
1 c. brown sugar (you can add less, I thought it was a bit sweet)
2 t. baking powder
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. salt
1/2 c. pure pumpkin
2 eggs
1/2 c. butter, melted
2 t. vanilla
3/4 c. dried cranberries
1-2 small apples, peeled and chopped into 1/2 in. cubes

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients.
3. Spread into a greased 9x13 pyrex and bake for 40 minutes.
 We served ours with a little dash of almond milk. It's so easy; the hardest part was waiting for it to finish baking.


The second recipe we have been tweaking is our pumpkin smoothie. Here's our favorite so far. I usually eyeball things, so these are estimates. You can adjust to taste. This recipe can easily serve 2 adults and 2 kids.


Combine the following in a blender:
1 c. plain Greek yogurt
2 bananas
1 -1 1/2 c. almond milk (or your milk of choice)
2 T. almond butter
1/2 c. pure pumkin
1/8 c. ground flax seed
2 t. molasses
3 ice cubes

Mix all ingredients until well blended. You can sprinkle a little cinnamon and nutmeg on top if you prefer. A flexy straw is optional, but I think it makes it taste even better. If you have a favorite smoothie recipe for this time of year, please send it along to share!