Pumpkin brownies is a perfect Fall delight!

I made this recipe for the Halloween party and it was a success. It is simple, quick and easy!
So here is how it goes.....

INGREDIENTS:
- 1 can Pumpkin
- Dark chocolate brownie mix
- 8 oz low fat cream cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

RECIPE:
Prepare the dark chocolate brownie mix as per the box instruction. Allow it to cool completely once it is baked. Meanwhile prepare the icing by whipping cream cheese, vanilla essence and powdered sugar. Once the icing is whipped, fold in the pumpkin gently blending in all the ingredients well together. Spread it on the cooled brownie and refrigerate it for 6-7 hours or until the icing is set. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

An easy yet delicious homemade version of Garlic bread!

I love garlic bread but sometimes I feel restaurants over do the butter/garlic on their breads. So, I came up with my own version of garlic bread.

So here it goes:

INGREDIENTS:
- Italian bread- medium thick sliced: 8 pieces
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 5 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese for each slice

METHOD:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, place a parchment paper of a cookie sheet. Add the butter in a bowl along with minced garlic, pepper and microwave it for 50 seconds. Brush the bread slices with the warm garlic butter and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on the bread slices. Bake in the oven for 10-12 min or until the cheese has melted and it starting to show brown color. Serve with either a bowl of soup or your favorite pasta or salad.

Chocolate Rum cookies?

Now, I know it is a tradition to add vanilla essence to cookies but I decided to tweak this old fashioned recipe into a fun, exciting recipe. I haven't personally tried it, but I will be pretty soon....So here is how it goes:

INGREDIENTS:
- 2 1/2 cups of All Purpose flour
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon rum essence
- 1 1/2 cup chunky chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 sticks of room temperature butter (hint: for healthy version, use either smart balance butter sticks or light margarine)

RECIPE:
Swift the flour, baking soda and salt and set it aside. Meanwhile, at 350 degrees oven toast chopped walnuts for 2-3 minutes or until it turns dark brown. In an electric blender, beat the brown sugar, butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the beat eggs and rum essence to it. Gradually add the flour to the blender until blended smoothly. Toss the chunky chocolate chips and walnuts and fold the cookie dough gently.
At a preheated 350 degrees oven, using a ice cream scoop, scoop the dough and place them on a cookie sheet with parchment paper and bake them for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies begin to turn brown. Cool the baked cookies on a wire rack and serve them either warm or on room temperature.

Who said Pad Thai was hard?

I did it! Made my version of Pad Thai and it turned out absolutely delicious!
If some of you are not sure what Pad Thai is, it is a popular Thai dish made with mixed protein, veggies, peanuts and Oriental noodles.....
So i tweaked it to my version...I included Tofu, chicken breast and Shrimp along with fresh peanut-coconut sauce, veggies: bean sprouts, onions, garlic, peppers, mushrooms, string beans! It is to die for....I just wish I was able to get the Chinese basil to complete the recipe but over all, it is perfect!

Pad Thai- Sesame oil or fish oil?

So, I do know that thai food is filled with taste most importantly fish oil is the common ingredient in their food although you don't taste it as strong as you would if you were eating actual fish....
So, I am at a process of making my own version of Pad Thai: Peanut Satay sauce, rice noodles, veggies, tofu, shrimp and chicken...however, I am not sure if I can make it authentic since I am skeptical to use fish oil....so, should i reconsider and use sesame oil? Would that go well with 3 meats: TOFU (Vegan), Shrimp and Chicken?

Sage or thyme?

So, i came up with my own creation of butternut squash soup. My mother-in-law insist that sage taste better than thyme to add essence to the soup. I tried thyme, I liked it and sage was good too. Can't really make up my mind....So what do you think? Sage or thyme?