1. CREAMY PUMPKIN SOUP

ENTREES

1. ENLIGHTENED CARBONARA
    

DESSERTS

1. PEANUT BUTTER PANACHE

APPETIZERS & SNACKS:

1. CREAMY PUMPKIN SOUP

2 c. chopped onions

¾ c. green onion slices

¼ c. (or less) olive oil

3 cans chicken broth

1 can (32 oz.) pumpkin

¼ c. chopped parsley

1 bay leaf

½ tsp salt

½ tsp curry powder

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp pepper

2 c. half-and-half/milk

2 c. Velveeta (light)

In large saucepan, sauté onion and green onion in oil. Stir in broth, pumpkin, parsley, bay leaf, salt, curry powder, nutmeg and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf. Transfer soup to blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Return to sauce pan. Stir in cheese and milk/half-and-half. Heat thoroughly.

ENTREES:

1. ENLIGHTENED CARBONARA

DESSERTS:

1. PEANUT BUTTER PANACHE

CRUST:

¾ c. peanuts, finely chopped

1 c. graham cracker crumbs

¼ c. granulated sugar

1/3 c. butter, melted

Grease sides and bottom of 9” spring form pan. In a medium bowl, combine peanuts, crumbs, sugar and butter and mix well. Press crumb mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Chill while making filling.

CHOCOLATE FILLING:

½ c. butter, room temp.

¾ c. powdered sugar

1 egg, room temp.

½ c. semi-sweet chocolate, melted

1 tsp vanilla

In a medium mixing bowl, cream butter and powdered sugar together until fluffy. Add egg and beat until well blended. Add semi-sweet chocolate and vanilla and mix well. Spread chocolate mixture over crust. Chill while preparing PB filling.

PEANUT BUTTER FILLING:

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, room temp.

½ c. creamy peanut butter

2 Tbsp sugar

¼ c. butter (room temp.)

½ c. whipping cream

1 Tbsp vanilla

In a medium mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and butter until fluffy. In a separate bowl, beat whipping cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Fold into peanut butter mixture. Spread over chocolate filling. Chill while preparing chocolate glaze.

CHOCOLATE GLAZE (GANACHE):

2 c. (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

1 c. whipping cream

½ c. peanuts, coarsely chopped

Place chocolate in a medium bowl.

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, pour cream. Heat until almost boiling. Pour over chocolate and let stand 2 to 3 minutes. Mix chocolate and cream together and pour over peanut butter filling. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top. Chill for 2 hours.