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.

Amazing Chunky Applesauce

I was anxious to try a new, chunky, applesauce this year. The Darlings haven't been too fond of applesauce. This one they love! Not only is it perfectly beautiful, it is perfectly yummy too!

A new use for applesauce! Carmel Apple Pie Sunday. A little ice cream, with a little applesauce, then a little carmel topping and sprinkled with pumpkin pie spice. Wow! was that ever good!!
Amazing Chunky Applesauce
3-4 pounds of apples, peeled, cored and quartered
(I love Golden Delecious apples for this)
4 strips of lemon peel
juice of 1 lemon
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. white sugar
1 c. water
1/2 t. salt
Place all ingredients in a large (heavy) pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat, remove cinnamon sticks and lemon peels. Mash with a potato masher until desired consistency. Pour into clean jars, add lids and rings then process for 25 minutes in water bath.

Broccoil Chowder and Paula's Cornbread

I love broccoil! I am always looking for new ways to use it! This is a perfect use for this yummy vegetable. It has cooled off a little in our area and so soups sound really good. I made this today and it is a keeper!

Broccoli Corn Chowder

adapted from Everyday Food

4 silces of bacon, cut into 1 in. pieces

1 med. onion, chopped

3 stalkes of celery, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 c. flour

2 cans chicken broth

1 large baking potato, peeled and diced

1 head of broccoli, cut into bite size pieces

1 can corn, or forzen will work too

1/2 t. dried thyme

1 c. whole milk

salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, cook bacon until crispy and remove from pot. In bacon grease cook, onion, garlic and celery until soft. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly. Add broth, then stir in potatoes. Cook until potatoes are tender. Add broccoil, corn, thyme, milk, salt and pepper. Cook until broccoil is tender. Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese and top with bacon.

The perfect side to the chowder...Paula Deen's Mexican Stuffed Cornbread

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup flour
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
2/3 cup half-and-half cream (or use milk)
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt or 1/2 teaspoon white salt
1/3 cup melted butter or vegetable oil
1 small onion, finely chopped or green onion
1 (14 ounce) can creamed corn
1 cup frozen corn, thawed or drained canned corn niblet
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped (or to taste)

Set oven to 350 degrees.
Butter a 8 x 8-inch or a 9 x 9-inch square baking dish.
In a large bowl mix together cornmeal with flour, sugar baking powder, garlic powder, milk, eggs, seasoned salt and melted butter or oil until well blended.
Add in onion and creamed corn and thawed corn; mix to combine.
Pour half the batter into prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the layer with grated cheese and jalapeno peppers.
Pour the remaining batter on top of the cheese and jalapeno peppers.
Bake for about 35 minutes or until golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (baking time will vary slightly depending on the size of pan used).
Allow to cool slightly before slicing.

You will not be disappointed! Enjoy!