Pumpkin Cake

This is another Fall recipe. My sister Karen's mother-in-law, Bonnie Holyoak, makes this cake, and it gets rave reviews.

1 pkg. Yellow Cake Mix (minus 1 c. set aside for later)

1 egg

1/3 c. Soft Butter

Blend together with a fork and press into the bottom of a 9x13 pan.

Beat  together the following ingredients and pour over cake mixture in the pan:

 1 lg. can of pumpkin

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Ginger

2 tsp. Cinnamon

½ tsp. Cloves

2 ½ c. canned milk

1 c. Sugar

Mix together the following and crumble on top of the cake:

 2 Tbsp. sugar

¼ c. soft butter

1 c. cake mix (that was reserved earlier)

Bake at 350°F for 60-70 minutes. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Gypsy Stew

My sister Karen Holyoak is really talented in the kitchen, and has a knack for finding recipes that use healthy foods in unexpected ways. For instance, this stew contains sweet potatoes and prunes. It is savory, though, and reminds me of Fall. It is one of the tastiest stews I have ever eaten!

4 Tbsp. olive oil

2 c. chopped onion

1/2 c. chopped celery

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1lb. stew meat

2 c. diced peeled sweet potatoes 

2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. ground turmeric

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. salt

1 pinch ground cinnamon

1 pinch cayenne pepper

1 bay leaf

3 c. chicken or beef stock

1 Tbsp. tamari 

1 c. chopped fresh tomato

1/2 c. chopped prunes

1/2 c. sliced carrots

1/2 c. sliced mushrooms

In the oil, sautee: onion, celery, garlic, stew meat, and sweet potatoes about 5-10 minutes, until meat is cooked through. Add seasonings and stir to blend. Then add stock and tamari, and cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes more.

Amish Baked Oatmeal

This is a recipe that my sister Mandy Wright uses. It is a family favorite at her house, and it is delicious on a cold morning. Very filling.

3 c. quick oats
1 c. sugar
1 c. milk
1/2 c. melted butter
2 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350
Mix all ingredients together
pour into a 9x13 baking dish
bake for 25-30 minutes

Serve with a little bit of milk, some brown sugar, some fruit, or just eat it plain!