Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients:
2 cups flour (try 1/4 c whole wheat pastry flour, 1 c was too much, not good texture)
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (or try cardamom or allspice)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 t. baking soda (was originally 1.5 t but metallic taste)

1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, cooled slightly (try canola oil)
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree (or entire 15-oz. can)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup (try half of this brown sugar, don't do less sugar; 1/2 c was not near enough) sugar

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I like dark choc chips)
1 cup chopped nuts (optional, I like walnuts usually)
1 c oats (optional, I sometimes just add some at the end for a portion of the recipe, it might be better like a topping, on top as the texture gets pretty dense if it's mixed in)

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease pans (it made about 2 dozen muffins). 

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, (flour, spices, salt, baking soda, and baking powder). 

3. In a larger bowl, mix together the liquid ingredients, (melted butter, eggs, pumpkin, and vanilla). Add the sugar to the wet ingredients and combine evenly. 

4. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined; do not over mix. Stir in the chocolate chips (and nuts, if using). Spoon the batter into the prepared pans.

5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the muffin springs back from a finger touch, or until a toothpick returns cleanly. Cool in the pan for 3-4 minutes before removing from the pan, then remove and place on cooling rack.

Compare: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-chip-pumpkin-bread/

Tater tot hot dish

Adapted from a recipe found recently that was given to us by Steve White, when we left Arizona in 2008.

• 1 lb ground beef, browned and drained (can add mushrooms)
• 12-16 oz green beans or other vegetables 
• 1 can cream of mushroom (or other) soup, low sodium (can make your own by using our cream of chicken soup recipe and use beef broth instead of chicken broth)
• 1/2 of 1 oz pkg onion soup mix, dry (I substituted one beef bouillon cube, some dried onion and garlic powder, 1 tsp savory, pinch paprika and black pepper)
• Grated Cheddar Cheese (4-8 oz, as desired)
• 1/2 package of tater tots or crispy crowns

Directions:

Cook beef over medium high or high temperature. Remove from pan if making your own soup and use the pan for that recipe. Combine soup, vegetables, beef, and onion soup mix in the pan. Transfer to a 9x9 pan and top with cheese. Cook tater tots separately for crispier tots or put them directly on top and put some of the cheese on top of them. They won't get crispy when directly on top of the rest.

Cook at 400-425 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Sweet and Saucy pork chops

2-3 pork chops
1 1/2 t. sugar, divided
2 T olive oil, divided
1 shallot, chopped
4 garlic cloves
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. water or broth
3 sprigs rosemary (or equivalent dried)
1 T drained capers (optional)
2 T. unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1. Season pork chops with salt and 1/2 t. sugar. Heat 1 T oil in large skillet over medium-high. Cook chops, undisturbed, until well browned, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook until second side is brown, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate (they won't be fully cooked); reduce heat to medium.

2. Pour 1 T oil into skillet and add shallot and garlic. Cook until softened and beginning to brown, about 3 minutes.

3. Add vinegar and 1 t. sugar. Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until vinegar is nearly evaporated, about 2 minutes.

4. Add remaining ingredients. Reduce heat, maintaining a low simmer. Swirl pan continuously and vigorously until sauce is smooth, glossy, and emulsified.

5. Return pork chops and simmer gently until cook through, about 3 minutes (140 degrees).