Candy Corn is the signature candy for Fall. So why not try to make it at home instead of buying it at the store? It may not be as cheap but it might be fun. I love Candy Corn and used to eat tons of it every October.  Now I just have a little bit - too sweet and all - for me at least.

Thanks to SweetCandyCorn for this recipe and all things candy corn!

Photo source from sugar-skull.com.

Home-made Candy Corn

* 1 cup sugar
* 2/3 cup white corn syrup
* 1/3 cup butter
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 2 1/2 cup powdered sugar
* 1/4 tsp. salt
* 1/3 cup powdered milk
* food coloring

Combine sugar, butter, and corn syrup in pan and bring to a boil stirring constantly. Turn heat low and boil 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

In a separate dish, combine powdered sugar, salt, and powdered milk. Add all at once to the mixture in the pan. Add food coloring if desired. Stir until cool enough to handle. Shape as desired.

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I made this for dinner the other night and it was SO good! Yum! I’ve actually made this recipe several times. It’s quick and easy to make. Don’t let the fancy name fool you.

This recipe comes from Epicurious and was in Gourmet Magazine. So I can’t say if it’s healthy or not. I’ll share my healthy options below. If you try it let me know what you think!

INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds precooked polenta (in a tube), cut into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) rounds
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
1/2 pound mixed sliced fresh wild mushrooms
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 1/2 cups bottled marinara sauce

Accompaniment: grated Parmesan

Preheat broiler.

Broil polenta rounds on a lightly oiled large heavy baking sheet 3 to 4 inches from heat until lightly browned in spots, about 7 minutes. Turn rounds over and sprinkle with cheese, then broil until polenta is golden in spots and cheese is melted, about 7 minutes more.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until it shimmers, then cook sausage, breaking up lumps, until just cooked through, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Heat remaining tablespoon oil in skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add wine and boil, scraping up any brown bits, until reduced by about half, about 2 minutes. Stir in sausage and tomato sauce and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Season with salt.

Serve ragout spooned over polenta.

My Healthy Version: I use sweet Turkey sausage and omit the Parmesan cheese. When cutting the polenta I just cut the whole tube into 1/2″ slices and I’ll brush olive oil on one side when broiling.

South of the border salad (serves 2-3)

1C red leaf lettuce,chopped finely
1/2C chopped cilantro
1C romaine, chopped
4 chopped med. Tomatoes
2 diced avocados
2T lemon juice
1/4 diced yellow onion
2C sprouted beans ( pinto, navy, white or garbanzo) (or a can of beans - I like to use navy or pinto beans on this salad)

dressing
1 clove crushed garlic
1/4C EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
1/4C green onion
3T lemon juice
1T apple cider vinegar (optional - I usually make this without the vinegar)
1/4C parsley
1/4C cilantro
1t tarragon
1T sea salt

Head of Romaine lettuce or cabbage leaves or tortillas.

Mix salad ingredients in a large bowl.
Mix dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor. Pour dressing over salad and mix together.

Serve over bed of romaine or leaf lettuce OR wrap in cabbage leaf OR wrap in tortilla.

I wanted to tell you about a couple cooking blogs that I read regularly. I’ve had a lot of fun finding new recipes from them and learing more about cooking. So instead of a recipe, here’s a couple blogs you should check out:

Fulltummies - written by 2 sisters who are the mothers of young children they have a lot of “family friendly and not very complicated foods.” A personal favorite, their Compromise Cookies.

Simply Recipes - great pictures, good foods, I’m looking forward to trying her Chicken Curry Salad.

Smitten kitchen - pictures during the cooking process, delicious food, decadent desserts.  A favorite that I made for small group: Brownie Mosiac Cheesecake

This is one of our favorite recipes AND it is so easy and super yummy!

Steel Cut Oats or Scottish Oats or Irish Oats- These are groats which have been cut into two or three pieces.

I buy my Steel Cut Oat Groats from Whole Foods in the bulk food section. I’m pretty sure Publix carries them too.

(serves 4-6)

3C Steel Cut Oat Groats (soaked overnight)
1/3C Pure Organic Maple Syrup (not maple flavored syrup - available at Target, Publix and Whole Foods)
1T Cinnamon
1/2 Salt
1C Raisins
1t Vanilla

Drain the water from the oats.
In a food processor, combine all ingredients and process. Adjust syrup, cinnamon or raisins to taste.

For different variation add any of the following cored apple with skin, strawberries, or other favorite fruit.

Will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for several days.