pumpkin crunch cake

Happy Halloween! Here is a special Halloween recipe for you to try. It's delicious!

Ingredients

• 1 30 oz. can of pumpkin (or just puree your jack-o-lantern after tomorrow)
  
• 1 13 oz. can of evaporated milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 box of yellow cake mix
• ½ cup butter

Directions

1. Grease bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 inch pan.
2. Line bottom of pan with waxed paper.
3. Combine pumpkin, milk, sugar, eggs, and cinnamon in a bowl.
4. Mix well
5. Pour into pan
6. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture
7. Drizzle melted butter over cake mix
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 75 minutes, until knife come out clean from the middle of cake
9. Cool completely
10. Run butter knife around edges of cake
11. Flip over onto cookie sheet
12. Refrigerate at least 4 hours
13. Cut and serve with whipped cream topping

about the title

My friend Shauna inquired about the title of this blog. I'm glad you asked because there is a story to it.

Those of you that have met my father will probably appreciate this more than those that haven't. He has a very unique personality...

After dinner, my father would stand up from his seat at the head of the table and stand behind my mother and say, "Fine meal, woman." Often a pat on the back accompanied his words. Now, don't get me wrong, this was said with humor and affection. It became the tradition. Jokingly, my sweet hubby praises an exceptional meal that I cooked with these words. It's all in love and good humor.

I struggled with a title for this blog for a long time. The one I wanted was taken. I wracked my brain for some witty and clever title, but nothing came, until FINE MEAL WOMAN! Chef Jeff cracked up when I told him it would be my title. I was anxious to hear my father's response when he found out the title. He told me that they were "the best three words I've ever written on [my] blog." He was thoroughly tickled by the title.

So there you have it.

amazing!

I made Echo's Curried Apple and Zucchini Soup. It was amazing. I mean it, AMAZING! It is the tastiest soup I've ever had. Chef Jeff loved it too. Thank you Echo. This recipe has found it's way into my personal recipe binder. So friends, if you looked at the recipe and thought of trying it, you should. You really should.

i'm back with tasty gorditas

Thank you friends for your patience while I was away from finemealwoman. Our move was successful and I am now getting used to my new kitchen. Sadly, it is a downgrade from my previous kitchen. It is tiny, which makes cooking up a storm a bit more challenging. Thankfully, we have a 1 year lease and will be searching for a bigger place. I've managed to get back into my groove a bit and have made some yummy things. Here is a recipe for one of my new favorite dinners. It's quick, easy, and oh, so tasty! It might just become a regular around here!


Tasty Gorditas

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• Cumin
• Crushed red pepper
• Chili powder
• Black pepper
• Flat bread (1 per person or serving)
• 1 bell pepper
• Pepper jack cheese
• Shredded lettuce
  
• Sour cream
• Guacamole

Directions

1. Place a little olive oil in skillet. Add turkey, onion, and spices (use as much or as little as you desire). Cook thoroughly.
2. Place meat mixture on flat bread.
3. Top with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and a dash of crushed red pepper.
4. Fold in half and devour.

I'm thinking the meat could be done really easily in the crock pot. I haven't tried it yet, but that would make it even easier. Next time I make it, I'll try crock potting it.

quiche

I've been meaning to post recipes on this site, but I've been in the process of moving and have literally cooked absolutely nothing for the last 4 weeks! But given that it is conference, I had to make something special. I got this recipe from a former roommate, and my husband loves it. Hope you do too.

Ingredients:
4 eggs
2 C cream
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
7 shakes onion power
7 shakes garlic powder
1 shallot
1/2 C ham
1/2 C Swiss cheese
Parmesan cheese
2 frozen pie crusts
Aluminum foil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400° and follow pie crust instructions (some require pre-cooking).

Cut Swiss cheese and ham into cubes. Spread cheese and ham on bottom of pie crusts. Mix all other ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Pour mixture into pie crusts. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Wrap edges of quiche with foil to prevent excess browning. Cook for 35-40 minutes. Quiche should be firm in the middle. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to brown the top and sides.