Barefoot Bloggers - Pumpkin Risotto

A bit late...but here it is! The recipe was Butternut Squash Risotto, I did not have buttenut spuash and so I made a few changes. Pumpkin Risotto is what it turned out to be. It took a bit of time to prepare, did I love it?? It was okay, but not sure I would make it again. I enjoyed trying something new.

Pumpkin Risotto

1 small pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cut into 3/4" chunks

2 T. oilve oil

salt and pepper

6 c. chicken stock

6 T. butter

2 ounces bacon, diced

1/2 c. onion, minced

1 1/2 c. arborio rice

1 c. parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix pumpkin chunks with oil, salt and pepper. Pour onto a foil lined baking sheet and bake until tender, for about 25-30 minutes. Set aside. Meanwhile, heat the chicken broth. In a heavy pan, add butter, saute bacon and onion until clear but not dark. Add rice and mix to coat with oil. Add 2 c. of broth, simmer until liquid is absorbed. Repeat, until rice is cooked al dente, about 30 minutes total. Remove from heat and stir in pumpkin chunks and cheese. Mix well and serve.

Barefoot - Apple Turnover

Barefoot Blogger Bonus!

Now go ahead and say that three times, as fast as you can!! Apple Turnovers were the bonus for September. You don't have to twist my arm! I hope I won't be kicked out of the Barefoot Bloggers for this....but I do have a personal favorite recipe...and so I used mine, but staying within the same idea. Hope that is okay... These are the most incredible little turnovers I have ever tasted. You will LOVE them...I promise!

Apple Dumplings

(Pioneer Woman Style)

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and cut into 8 slices

1 can cresent rolls

1 stick of butter

3/4 c. sugar

1 t. vanilla

cinnamon

1 sm. can Mountain Dew soda

Separate cresent rolls and roll a slice of apple into each roll. Place in a 8 x 8, greased, baking dish.

Melt butter and sugar together, bring to a boil and turn heat off. Add vanilla.

Pour sugar mixture over apple filled rolls. Pour Mountain Dew around edges of pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Top with a scoop of ice cream and dust with nutmeg.

Enjoy!!

Barefoot Bloggers - Wild Mushroom Soup

I love mushrooms, and I love Ina....so I thought this would be perfection and with a few adjustments, it was for me. Remember I live "on the farm" and so I cannot get all the gourmet mushrooms that the recipes called for. I substituted pure cremini instead of a mixture of different types. Also, when i was making the stock, I just couldn't bare to remove the vegetables so I just left them in and that was a great decicion!! I also added one clove of garlic. It did take a little time to make, The Darlings wouldn't eat it, and it is quite rich. I topped it off with some parmesan cheese, also a great addition.

I would make it again, but for adults only!!!

*I know...my post is late....sorry!

I'm A Barefoot Blogger!

I recently joined Barefoot Bloggers...because..yes..I am obsessed with Ina Garten! I love her! Especially her deep laugh and sheer pleasure of food and Jeffery! So I am pleased that my first entry with the Bloggers is none other than "GROWN UP MAC AND CHEESE." Another favorite of mine. I did make a few changes because I did not have the same cheeses on hand, but it is amazing none the less. I look forward to all Ina recipes, fun cooking ahead!
Grown Up Mac and Cheese

1 lb. elbow pasta

salt

6 T. butter

1 med. clove of garlic, pressed

1 t. dry mustard

1/4 t. cayanne pepper

6 T. flour

1 3/4 c. chicken broth

3 1/2 c. whole milk

16 oz. colby cheese

8 oz. extra sharp cheddar cheese

fresh ground pepper

Topping:

4 slices of white bread

2 T. butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare pasta as directed on box adding 1 T. of salt to water. Drain pasta. In another pot melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, mustard and cayanne pepper, cook until fragrant. Add flour, cook, stiring constantly for about 1 minute. Slowly wisk in chicken broth and milk, bring to a simmer. Stir until slightly thickened. Add cheeses and pepper. Season with salt to taste. Pour over cooked pasta and mix well. Pour into a 9x13 pan. Make topping by crumbing the bread and butter in food procesor. Top pasta with bread crumbs and bake to 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

*I chose not to add bacon, it seemed like it would be too greasy. It was awesome without it!