Peanut Noodles

1 box spaghetti noodles
2 Tbl sesame oil
1 bunch scallions, chopped.  Keep white and green separate.  Use green for garnish.
1 Tbl minced garlic
1 tsp grated ginger (I keep mine in the freezer)
1/3 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup hot water
1 Tbl cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
peanuts for garnish

Cook and drain spaghetti
Meanwhile cook sauce:
Heat sesame oil in pan over low heat and cook scallions until tender.  Add ginger and garlic and cook 1 minute more.
Increase heat to medium and add peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar and red pepper flakes.  Stir until combined.  Remove from heat.
Toss spaghetti with sauce and garnish with sliced green scallions and peanuts if desired

Pumpkin Bars

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
4 eggs
1 and 2/3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1 can pumpkin (not pie filling)

Directions
Set out the cream cheese and butter to reach room temperature.  Get out the eggs right away also.

Sift dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt & soda), and set aside.
In a large bowl, comine eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkins until light and fluffy.  Add the dry ingredients, gradually.  Mix well.

Spread batter in a greased 15x10x1 inch baking pan.  (Not dark)  Can line with parchment paper, greased.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool completely.

Frosting:
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1/3 cup softened butter
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbl heavy cream or milk

Cream together butter and cream cheese until soft and fluffy.  Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk or cream.  Mix on high speed until smooth and creamy.

These make a great breakfast treat!

Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin pancakes are delicious - Mom made them for Bart and me this morning.  We are in Berne for Bart's birthday weekend.  They didn't puff up as much as I would like, so I'm going to increase the baking powder.  We had them with great breakfast sausage on the side, and homemade maple syrup on top.
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 Tbls sugar
1 Tbl baking powder
1 1/2 Tbl pumpkin pie spice

Whisk pumpkin and egg until smooth.  Mix dry ingredients, and add to wet ones.  Fry on cast iron skillet or griddle.

The extra pumpkin (if you get it from a can) would make great smoothies.  You could even freeze it in ice cube trays.  Or make pancakes again soon :)