Pumpkin Pancakes

Often when I try a pumpkin pancake they are to heavy.  I like my pancakes light and fluffy.  After some playing around I think I've mastered it. 

PUMPKIN PANCAKES
(serves 6)

Ingredients:
*1 1/2 cups buttermilk
*3/4 cup pumpkin puree
*1 egg, beaten
*2 tablespoons vegetable oil
*1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
*2 cups all purpose flour
*1/4 cup light brown sugar
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoons baking soda
*2 teaspoons baking powder
*1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
*1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
*1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
*1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:
~In a large mixing bowl, whisk buttermilk, pumpkin puree, egg, oil and vinegar.
~In another bowl, sift flour, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and cloves.
~Stir into pumpkin mixture just enough to combine (do not over mix).
~Heat griddle or frying pan to medium heat and spray with a cooking spray.
~Laddle batter onto the prepared grill.
~Lightly brown on both sides.
~Serve with butter, maple syrup & whipped cream.

Apple Cider Syrup

This is good on any pancake or waffle, but it is amazing over  a pumpkin pancake or pumpkin waffles.  I think this would be good over caramel apple pie too or even pumpkin ice cream.  I could go on and on and on...
If you don't have whole cloves or a cinnamon stick, you can you ground.  You could also use a good apple juice instead of the apple cider.

APPLE CIDER SYRUP
(makes about 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients:
*1 1/2 cups apple cider
*2 tablespoons butter
*1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
*3/4 cup dark brown corn syrup
*1/2 of lemon, juiced
*1 cinnamon stick
*4 whole cloves
*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg


Directions:
~In a medium saucepan, over medium heat bring 1 1/2 cups apple cider, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 3/4 cup dark brown cron syrup, juice from 1/2 lemon, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.  to a full roiling boil.
~Reduce heat to low and cook for another 20-30 minutes, until mixture has reduced and starts to thicken, stirring often.
~Remove from heat and stir for 4-5 minutes.
~Allow mixture to stand at room temperature for 25-30 minutes.  Syrup will thicken up more at this time.
~Remove cinnamon stick and whole cloves and serve over pancakes.

Pumpkin Pie Honey Butter

I love this on toast, bagels, biscuits, pancakes and pumpkin waffles.  It's also pretty good on a peanut butter sandwich.  Very easy to make.

CINNAMON HONEY BUTTER
(serves 16)

Ingredients:
*1/2 cup butter, room temperature
*1/2 cup honey
*1/3 cup powdered sugar, sifted
*1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
*1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:
~Mix all the ingredients with mixer until well blended.
~Refrigerate leftovers.

Steak Fajitas

This recipe is so flavorful.  I like to make my own flour tortillas for it.  It only makes it better.  This marinate is also good for chicken fajitas.  You can add guacamole to it if you like.  I like my steak medium rare.  Cook yours to your liking.

STEAK FAJITAS
(makes 8)

Ingredients:
*1 pound sirloin, flank or strip steak
*1 orange, juiced
*1 lime, juice
*1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
*1/3 cup olive oil
*2 garlic cloves, finely minced
*1 teaspoon cumin
*2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (or 1 teaspoon of dried cilantro)
*1/2 teaspoon chili powder
*1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
*1 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
*1 large onion, sliced
*1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
*1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
*1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
*1 tablespoon olive oil
*1 tablespoon olive oil
*8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
*Sour Cream for topping (optional)
*Shredded Cheese for topping (optional)
*Salsa for topping (optional)
*Fresh Cilantro for topping (optional)
*Shredded lettuce for topping (optional)
*Chopped fresh tomato for topping (optional)


Directions:
~In a gallon size zip-loc bag or a dish,  mix orange juice, lime juice, worcestershire sauce, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, cumin, cilantro, chili powder, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper & sugar.
~Pour half of the marinate into another zip-lock bag.
~Place steak into on of the bags and let marinate in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours.
~In the second bag place sliced red pepper, green pepper, orange pepper & onion and let marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
~In a heavy skillet or indoor grill (I use my cast-iron) over medium-high heat, drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil.
~Remove steak from marinate.
~Cook steak for 3-6 minutes per side depending on how done you like your steak (I cook mine about 3-4 minutes per side).
~Remove from pan allow steak to rest.
~Drizzle another tablespoon of olive oil on grill/pan.
~Remove veggies from marinate.
~Place veggies on hot grill and grill until slightly firm, 6-8 minutes.
~Remove and place on a plate.
~Slice steak lengthwise against the grain of the steak.
~While the veggies are grilling, heat up tortillas and store inside of a clean dishcloth to keep them warm. Do this either my microwave, frying pan or place tortilla over a flame of a gas grill until slightly charred.
~Place steak on tortilla, top with grilled veggies and toppings of choice.

Oatmeal Pumpkin Caramel Bars

These are a big hit when I make them.  I can only make these in the fall because I can't find the pumpkin spice chips any other time of the year.  Grab a mug of hot cider to go along with these.  Yummy!

OATMEAL PUMPKIN CARAMEL BARS
(serves 16)

Ingredients:
*3/4 cup butter, softened
*3/4 cup granulated sugar
*3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
*2 large eggs
*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
*1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
*1 teaspoon baking soda
*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*2 3/4 cup rolled oats
*1 (10 ounce) bag Nestle Tollhouse Pumpkin Spice Chips
*1 (14 ounce) bag caramels
*1/2 cup whole milk

Directions:
~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
~Spray a 9x13 inch pan with a cooking spray.
~In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar together until smooth.
~Beat in eggs and vanilla until fluffy.
~Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and mix.
~Stir in oats & spice chips.
~Spread evenly into prepared pan.
~Bake for 25-30 minutes.
~In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt caramels and milk; stirring until smooth.
~Pour over cookie bar.
~Allow to cool before cutting.