Pumpkin Bottom Muffins with Cream Cheese Caps

Fall is finally here.  Welcome back, crock pot.  Hello, dutch oven.  And of course, a big and hearty hug for one of the absolute favorite friends of fall, pumpkin.  For the next three months, we will be consuming as many pumpkin infused items as possible.  Breads, raviolis, lattes and cookies have all been a part of the pumpkin love.  But perhaps my favorite pumpkin creation so far this year is these Pumpkin Bottom Muffins.  (The more delicious, kid-friendly version of apple bottom jeans).

Spinach Dip Salmon Burger

I'm still trying to get over my recent recipe of Hot & Skinny Spinach Dip.  So far, no luck.  If you've given it a try and find yourself in the same predicament, I empathize completely.  So in lieu of the classic chip, baguette or sliced vegetable, allow yourself to consider this delicious, creamy and healthy burger option that will blow you away.  Spread over a salmon burger and you will find an entirely new and delicious way to enjoy a cheesy dip.

Hot & Skinny Spinach Dip

There is something so satisfying about stuffing a chip loaded with hot, gooey dip into your mouth.  One of my absolute favorites has always been spinach dip....except for one thing.  The mayonnaise.  I have never been a big fan.  I can understand most foods spoiling, but the thought of a condiment making you sick if it's left out for a few hours creeps my tummy out.  If you concur with me, I am here to tell you that you can live a perfectly happy life sans-mayo by simply switching to Greek yogurt.  What a wonderful, high protein, reduced fat alternative!

Greek Yogurt Pancakes & Honey Baklava Syrup

Pancakes had always been my last choice for breakfast.  With the crispness of waffles and cinnamon-ness of french toast, plain old pancakes came in a distant third.  However, this has all changed since discovering Greek yogurt pancakes.  Gone are the days of dense, heavy pancakes and the post-breakfast gut bomb.   This recipe makes the fluffiest, lightest, tenderest pancakes I've ever had.  And thanks to the  Greek yogurt, they're packed with a powerhouse of protein and calcium.  Now you can have your (pan) cakes and eat them too!

Honeyed Fig & Gorgonzola Phyllo Cups

Fig season is finally here!  Though it seemed to come later than usual, much to my multi-month annoyance.  Oh, sweet and tender fruit of summer and fall.  From their light honey sweetness to the slight seedy crunch back to the tender skin...they are all goodness from the inside out (or outside in and back again).  To celebrate their deliciousness, I bring you one of my all time favorites in these delightful little phyllo cups.  Food for the fingers as well as the mouth!

Baked Hash Browns & Eggs with Pesto, Avocado & Goat Cheese

Last but certainly not least is recipe #3 in the Smoked Almond Basil Pesto trilogy....and perhaps my favorite.  But don't take my breakfast-biased opinion.  Make them all and see for yourself!  To start the week off right, I bring to you a new version of one of weekend staples....Baked Hash Browns & Eggs with Pesto.

Smoked Pesto & Shrimp Pasta

For recipe #2 in the three part series of Smoked Almond Basil Pesto, I present to you this quick, easy and delicious dinner of Smoked Pesto & Shrimp Pasta.  This is a perfect meal to make after a long day at the office.  Thanks to the pre-made pesto, this dish only takes a grand total 12 minutes from start to finish.  Your prep time can therefore be spent relaxing with a glass of dry white wine...gotta love that.  

Smoked Pesto Salmon PIzza

When I originally blogged Smoked Almond Basil Pesto, I intended on that being the end of it.  Share a fantastic pesto and presto, move right along.  However, the first dish we used it in was so good, I knew I had to share.  So was the second....and the third.  So here I bring you recipe #1 in a three part series - Smoked Pesto Salmon Pizza.

Smoked Almond Basil Pesto

The first time I'd tried pesto, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.  Whoever first thought of creaming basil, garlic, pine nuts and Parmesan is a genius.  Well done you...your life was well spent.  Though traditional pesto is phenomenal, it is also incredibly versatile.  This is one of the things I love the most about pesto - its playfulness.  You can dress it up or down in any way you like.  Swap the nuts, sub another type of cheese, play with your greens.  Just process the heck out of it and smear onto your favorite carb, protein or fruit.  You will be happy.

Balsamic Tilapia & Avocado Wrap

Let's face it....sometimes your pack-ahead lunch can get a little boring.  Cold cuts are fine and dandy, sandwiches satisfying and salads refreshing.  But if you're carrying in, certain foods are always out.  Grilled cheese, tuna melts, veggie fritters and paninis are all those delicious foods that you love mid-day, but just do not reheat well at work.  When you're limited to a refrigerator and microwave, these hot foods are not your best friends.  At times, this may lead you to feeling a bit lackluster about lunch.  If you've ever been there, please let me present you with this fantastic mid-day meal.

Baked Bagel French Toast

Baked french toast is one of the best breakfast dishes of all time.  It is a perfect combo of french toast and bread pudding, soaked overnight and baked off into golden, puffy perfection.  It's great for a fast and amazing breakfast, but it does require enough aforethought to prep the night before.  This foodie experiment was instigated by an overabundance of bagels.  A few days old and slightly dry, slightly stale bagels are the perfect consistency for baked french toast.  Rather than leaving them whole and soaking overnight, here you dice them up for a speedy 10-minute version of the classic overnight soak.  Procrastinators, celebrate!