Creamy Pumpkin Spaghetti Sauce

You know how sometimes you need to eat something that feels like a warm hug? This is one of those times. Our weather forecast is rain, snow, and thunderstorms for the indefinite future, and I'm someone who jokes (but also not really joking) about being solar powered. One of my warm hug meals is spaghetti with this deceptively simple pumpkin cream sauce. It's a perfect sauce for chilly fall or winter weather, and as much as I love traditional pasta sauces, sometimes you need to mix things up a bit, you know?

Hence, this sauce, adapted from Budget Bytes. All amounts are estimated because measuring is overrated and because taste is subjective.

Saute 1 tsp minced garlic in 1 tsp olive oil for a minute. Add 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth, 3 dashes smoked paprika, 1 dash cinnamon, 1 dash nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk it all together and simmer until you're just about ready to serve, then add 1/8 cup (2 tbsp) cream and whisk again. Serve over spaghetti and top with parmesan cheese, and let the comforting flavors embrace you in their warmth.

It’s always a good time for pumpkin muffins

I’ve been on a muffin kick lately. It’s been cold and wintery, (it’s actually snowing today, boo) and a nice warm muffin and a cup of hot coffee is just what I need to get the day started. Over the course of several trials, I have perfected these pumpkin muffins, and I’d like to share them with you. 

Ingredients:

3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup quick oats

1 cup white or brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder 

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 cup pumpkin 

2 eggs

1/4 cup oil

Directions:

Combine dry ingredients. Whisk in wet ingredients. Spoon into greased (with cooking spray) muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

Perfected from Cookie Madness https://www.cookiemadness.net/2009/12/jumbo-pumpkin-streusel-muffins/