Hannah's Mock Pumpkin Pie

For some reason we were blessed with a surplus of 29 oz cans of yams in syrup.  Someone gave us a box of them last year.  Don't get me wrong.  I am a huge sweet potato and yam fan.  I generally eat them baked or in soups though.  So I was left with wondering what to do with all these canned yams in syrup. 

I gave my 11 year old daughter, Hannah, the idea and she went with it.  She wanted Pumpkin Pie, and it turned out amazing.  

2 eggs

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 can (29 oz) yams in syrup

1 can evaporated milk

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Preheat oven to 450°

Drain the yams; discard the syrup.  Mash the yams until smooth.  Mix in the flour, salt, sugar, and spices.  Mix in the slightly beaten egg, then slowly add the evaporated milk, mixing until well blended. Pour the batter into the unbaked pie shell.

Bake at 450° for 10 minutes then reduce the oven temperature to 325° and continue baking pie for an additional 30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the mixture comes out clean.

Roasted Garlic

There is nothing better, and more practical, than roasted garlic.  It's easy, and it's healthy. 

Peel 4 bulbs of garlic

Put in an oven proof dish (I use a coffee cup) that is large enough to hold them all, but not too large

Pour extra virgin olive oil over garlic until just covering

Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the oil 

Bake 1 hour at 350°

When the garlic is tender and brown it is done.  If it over cooks, it will get hard.  

Easy Crockpot Oatmeal

Some mornings it's nice to wake up and breakfast is already done. This is another great crockpot meal that is incredibly fast to prepare, and is really yummy.


Crockpot Oatmeal

4 cups oats (not quick cooking kind)
10 cups water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Combine in crockpot.
Cover with lid.
Turn to warm for 8 hours.

It's a full crockpot of oatmeal. ;)


Add raisins, cranberries, fruit, peanut butter, or whatever strikes your fancy before serving.