Tasty Five: Because I Can't Have it ALL
In my travels around the Internet, I am always stumbling onto amazing recipes, sites, or food suggestions by terrific bloggers. I'll willingly admit that I'm slightly greedy and want to try everything! The sad truth is, one can't have everything. I can, however, share all that awesomeness with all of you.
Welcome to Tasty Five.
Once a week, I'm going to be bringing you five bits of awesomeness from around the web-recipes, companies (not sponsored, chosen because I like them), tips, links, sites, you name it. Five things that have made me say, "OH WOW." Five tasty bits of goodness that will give you something to chew on for the week, and then a recipe from ME, just to make it extra good.

1. Recipe Girl: Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
If you are trying to get the kids to get a hit of vegetables, or are looking for something to serve Halloween night before the kids are off trick or treating, this pasta looks divine. Nevermind the fact that it has sweet Italian sausage, whipping cream, and cheese. Can I lick the screen?

At work we had the kids plant kale, to which they all grimaced. "We'll make kale chips!" I chirped, and they all looked at me like I was insane. What makes kale so great, anyway? Ceri will tell you why, and then give you a great recipe so you can try kale chips at home.

3. Eat Live Travel Write: Apple Cranberry Crumble with Lemon Custard
I LOVE fruit crumbles, topped with crunchy bits of buttery oatmeal topping. I also love lemon custards, and the idea of the two together makes me SWOON. (wipes drool off the keyboard)
4. Eating Rules: October Unprocessed
You may have noticed the button in my sidebar-I am participating in a challenge with Eating Rules, where we try to eat as little processed food as possible. Not that we haven't been doing that for awhile already, but I thought it would be fun (and a bit of a challenge!) to take it even further. I think the main point is to be aware of how much processed food you eat! Want to play along? Drop by and sign up! While you are there, take a look at this Risotto with butternut squash and sage.

5. Two Peas and their Pod: Corn Chowder
Ever since I tried the local corn from a farmer who literally loads up a truck and hauls his produce all the way from the Fraser Valley to just down the road, I've been looking for a good corn chowder recipe. Most I found were loaded with cream which is a problem for the dairy sensitive members of the family, and I don't think I need the calories, so it's been quite a search. Fortunately I found this yummy looking one that uses skim milk, and flour instead. I suppose now I can top it with bacon, right?
Bonus from my own kitchen: Blackberry Maple Compote

Not really sweet yet scrumptious on pound cake, Greek yogurt, or pancakes, this compote was made with wild blackberries that were growing just down the road. I love it!
Adapted from Super Natural Everyday
2 cup fresh blackberries, coarsely chopped (be careful, mine squirted juice everywhere)
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp maple sugar, or regular sugar
1 tsp fresh ginger juice (I peeled and then grated the ginger, then squeezed out the grated part)
1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
tiny pinch of salt
In a small pan, stir together 1/3 of the blackberries, maple syrup and maple sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes. Drain the warmed berries through a strainer, pressing on the sieve with a spoon to get as much juice as possible out. Discard the leftover bits of berries. Mix the juice with the remaining berries, ginger and lemon juices, and salt. Taste and add more ginger or lemon if needed, then pour into a jar and store in the fridge.
Makes about 1 1/2 cups
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