Out of this World Pumpkin and Chocolate Chip Cookies

I cannot believe how delicious these cookies are.  I was looking around for a chocolate chip recipe and discovered a recipe on Food Network.  Well it was not exactly what I wanted and so I created my own version of this pumpkin and chocolate chip cookie and I must say I was pleasantly impressed.

Pumpkin and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 /2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (freshly baked)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup (6 ounces) dark choco chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper

Directions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. and spray the cookie sheets with nonstick spray.

Place the butter in a mixer and beat until smooth. Add in the pumpkin puree and beat in the butter and then beat in the white and brown sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, then mix in the vanilla. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds. Stir in the chips. Scoop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are browned around the edges. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes. Take the cookies off with a spatula and cool them on wire racks.

Zuchhini Pizza Strips with Garlic, Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes

This wonderful and simple recipe is a pizza recipe.  It is simple to make and very very delicious too. 

Ingredients:

3 long and slender zucchinis
1 container of cherry tomatoes
Choice of cheeses (mozzarella, goat, fontina or parmesan)
Salt and Pepper
Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:

1.  Cut off the ends of the zucchini and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out half of the centers with a melon baller or spoon.

2.  Brush with virgin olive oil. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and place on top of the zucchini strips. Season with salt and pepper.

3.  Sprinkle with some minced garlic or garlic powder.Then top with your cheese choices.

4.  Bake 375 for 20 to 30 minutes until soft.