Pumpkin Bread

As requested, here is my Pumpkin Oatmeal Bread recipe!!! I tripled the recipe because I wanted lots...and because I had the giant 29oz can of pumpkin anyway. Why would anyone buy the smaller can? Can someone explain this to me?

So, I am posting this recipe as I made it today. Tripled. You can cut the recipe down if you want, but it freezes nicely and it does taste really good!!! Because of the wheat flour, oatmeal and pumpkin this is a fiber rich low fat bread. =)

Pumpkin Oatmeal Bread with Chocolate Chips

2 cups all purpose white flour
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3 Tablespoons baking powder
1 Tablespoon baking soda
1 1/2 Tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3 cups old fashioned oats
2 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 cups dark chocolate chips
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup olive oil
2 1/2 cups milk (I used vanilla soy, but almond milk would also be great!)
1 29oz can pure pumpkin puree (NOT canned pumpkin pie filling)

NOTE: I use the Old Fashioned Oats because they give the bread a chewy texture. You can substitute quick cooking oats if you prefer. Also, this bread is not very sweet. Intentionally. Add more brown sugar if you want it sweeter.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 3 loaf pans.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the first six ingredients. Add the oats, sugar and chocolate chips to the flour mixture and make a well in the center. Pour into the well the eggs, milk and oil. Mix well. Slowly and carefully add the pumpkin puree, mixing until combined.

Divide the batter between the loaf pans and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean of pumpkin (you'll no doubt cut through some chocolate though.). If the tops become too brown before the center is cooked through, cover with tin foil.

Remove from pans immediately and cool on racks.

This makes a great breakfast or snack. My girls love this bread too!

Well, there you go. Enjoy. Let me know if you make it. And what you think.

I baked mine around 10:30 this morning and the house still smells like pumpkin and cinnamon. There really is no better scent for a home!!

I love my pumpkin pan. This is the first time this year I've used it. It's getting to be Fall, people!!!

Medical Woes

I haven't forgotten about blogging. Or you. Promise.

The past 6 weeks have been nuts, medically speaking. My pharmacy is in the doghouse. Three times, (yes, THREE) in the 6 weeks I mentioned, the pharmacy has switched my prescription on me. You know what this means to my body? Migraines. Nausea. Appetite Changes. Low Energy. Muscle Cramping. And General Blahness. The past two weeks have been the worst, thus no posts. Sorry.

I have missed you.

Happy updates:
Isobel is LOVING school and Tempe and I are slowly getting back into a routine.
I have sold 3 body scrubs in the last two weeks.
I have knit two whole scarves (and they are beautiful! Loved the yarns!)
I have fed my family more than just PB&J and eggs this week!!!

Not so happy updates:
My house is a dirty wreck. I don't think I've cleaned in days. I feel awful.
My daughter was given a haircut in school yesterday. By a boy. My husband suggests a crush. I smacked him. Three inches off one side of her head. Thankfully her hair is curly. And grows back quickly.

My Steampunk costume is coming along. I am going to look awesome. And have loads of fun. Richard Dean Anderson is going to Dragon*Con. My nerd heart gave a pitter-patter. I love McGyver.

Food Cravings

Have you ever picked up a book and after reading a while developed food cravings?

This happens frequently to me. Last week I read three books in a row that mentioned pie. It made me want pie. Did I get pie? No. Too much trouble. I made muffins and pretended it was pie. Today I started a book set in Italy. So of course, as soon as the Italian Mama made family dinner I was drooling for pasta sauce.

This began my afternoon of cooking adventures.

Homemade Red Pasta Sauce. Greek Yogurt (I started this yesterday, but it just finished straining) Granola. Homemade Ricotta Cheese

Life is good. Because it's good and I love you and it's Friday, (YAY FRIDAY!) here is the recipe for super tasty Pasta Sauce. It has been heartily approved by my very picky Italian husband. =) The best part about this recipe? It feeds a ton of people. With enough leftovers to freeze. Make the pot, freeze half and you have any easy dinner later on after a rough day. Aren't I brilliant?

Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients needed: onion, garlic, oregano, basil, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and ground beef. Not shown: sugar, water and olive oil.

First, chop one medium sized onion. Like so...

Also chop the garlic. 12 cloves of them. Not the little cloves, either.

Now, in a huge pot heat 3 TBS olive oil. Add in the onion and saute. Then add the garlic!

Warning: this will smell divine.
Add the ground beef and brown. Note that you can use thin sliced steak instead of the beef. That's the preferred around here, but I was out and used what I had on hand.

When the meat is browned, add 1 TBS each of oregano and basil. 1tsp cayenne, salt and pepper.

Once fragrant, add the tomatoes and tomato paste!!!

Stir the ingredients together and add 12-24 oz water. Also add 2 more TBS dried basil and oregano and the bay leaves. 3 of them.

Uncovered, bring to a boil over high heat. After boiling 15 minutes, lower heat. Simmer 1 hour covered, stirring occasionally. Taste. Add sugar to cut the acid. Add any more seasonings to taste. Simmer another 45 minutes. Turn off heat. Eat and enjoy!

Recipe:

1 medium onion, chopped
12 cloves garlic, minced
3 TBS olive oil
2 lbs ground beef (or thin sliced steak cut into bite sized pieces)
3 TBS dried basil, divided
3 TBS dried oregano, divided
1 tsp cayenne pepper (more to taste--I usually add another tsp at the end)
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1 tsp ground black pepper
4 cans (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
4 cans (6 oz) tomato paste
3 large bay leaves
1/4 cup sugar

In a large pot, heat the oil over med-high heat. Add the onions and cook to soft, adding in the garlic. Cook until just barely beginning to brown. Stir in the beef. Brown. Once browned, mix in 1 TBS oregano and 1 TBS basil, cayenne, salt and pepper. Carefully, pour in the tomatoes, both crushed and paste. Add remaining spices.
Bring to a boil, uncovered. Allow to boil 15 minutes, then lower heat and cover. Simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add the sugar and taste. If desired, add any more seasonings to taste. Simmer another 45 minutes. Take off the heat and enjoy!
Serve over pasta, or whatever you fancy. I love to make veggie lasagna with this!
Serves plenty. ;-)

My favourite way to taste test this is ladle out a small serving and dip crusty bread into it. Fantastic snack.
Enjoy my friends!!!

Kindergarten Girl and the Sad Mama

Bel on her way to kindergarten

Today was Bel's first day of kindergarten. She bounced up and down. She ran to school. She dragged me along behind her. She laughed when I cried saying goodbye. So did her principal and the director of operations at the school. "Buck up, Mom!" They told me.

Men.

Tempe and I kept busy. T was perfectly fine without her sister until naptime. After three stories she was fine again. My girl.

I spent more time moping today than I had intended. This is ok. Today was an emotionally charged day. Tomorrow will be better.

On an unrelated note, I am allergic to fire ants. This was discovered late last week while I mowed the lawn. Our back yard seems to be a favourite spot for fire ants. This is the 14th colony I've had the pleasure of killing since moving into this house. But before I killed it, I stepped in it. After five days, my leg is no longer swollen. Progress!!! It still hurts though.

Anyone else send their child for a first day of school recently? How'd you do?