perfect cornbread, peppermint, pumpkin and potato things

I have a rather unusual collection of recipes for you today. I have been craving new recipes that are quick and easy. So I went on a search and picked my brain and here is what I came up with. Cornbread is good, but cornbread waffles are even better. We had them with chili! And if you don't have a waffle iron you can make then like pancakes. Peppermint brownies are really just regular old brownies with peppermint extract, peppermint chocolate chips and crushed candy canes. Now here's the weird one, Pumpkin Mac and Cheese! I know, it sounds gross at first, but think about it. It's so good you'll lick the bowl. And last but not least, Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Pineapple. With a bit of cayenne they are spicy and sweet! So here they are...enjoy!


Cornbread Waffles
(original recipe from yummly)

yummly

Ingredients
3/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup flour
1/2 t. salt
1/2 T. sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2/3 cup milk


Directions
Preheat waffle iron to medium/high. Combine dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and add all wet ingredients. Mix dry into wet, but do not over mix (it's ok if it looks lumpy). Ladle onto waffle iron and cook until golden. Freeze extras and reheat in toaster. 




Peppermint Brownies

(recipe by me!)


Ingredients
1 stick melted butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 t. vanilla
1/8 t. peppermint extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/4 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
pinch salt
1/4 cup mint chocolate chips
1 T. crushed candy canes


Directions
Melt butter and mix in all other ingredients in order. Bake at 350 for 20-25 min in a square pan. Sprinkle candy on top and let cool.


Baked Pumpkin Mac & Cheese
(also from yummly)

Ingredients
1/2 lb. macaroni or spiral noodles
2 T. butter
1 1/2 T. flour
1/2 cup amber beer
1 T. maple syrup
1 cup milk
pinch ground clove
1/2 t. ground mustard
pinch cayenne
1/4 t. nutmeg
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese
paprika for sprinkling


Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 min. Add beer and let alcohol cook off (3-5 min). Whisk in maple syrup, milk, cloves, mustard, cayenne and nutmeg. Cook until thick. Whisk in pumpkin and 1 cup cheese. Mix until cheese melts. Combine pasta and sauce in a casserole dish or ramekins. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and paprika. Bake 10-15 min, then broil tops to brown the cheese. 


Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Pineapples
(original recipe from Everyday Food magazine)

funandfearlessinbeantown

Ingredients
1 large sweet potato (cubed)
1 can pineapple chunks (drained)
cayenne (to taste)
salt (to taste)
olive oil


Directions
Toss all ingredients together on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven at 450 for 25-35 min. Stir halfway through. So easy and so good as a side dish or a snack!

FRINGE GROJ Sale 2011

http://fringeokc.com/events/

Despite the freezing cold and the buckets of rain and the water main break, FRINGE's GROJ Sale event was a major success! We had a few bumps in the road, but I made out like a bandit! I made back what money I've put into this so far plus some. Not to mention the exposure that our group and every individual artist got. We had some trading going on, and I came home with 2 paintings and a necklace. This is the funnest group of girls and some pretty amazing artists. I feel so lucky to be a part of their group. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us and all the helpers!

FRINGE shirts $25

My little mini prints for $5

My section of prints in the tent