Pumpkin Pie Bites

It is a well known fact that Thanksgiving dinners can be calorie busters, especially the deadly slice of pumpkin pie with whip cream at the end. So imagine discovering an alternative to a slice of pie where you can savor the same taste but pare down the calories. This dessert is made with a product called mini fillo shells by Athens. Each shell is filled with a tablespoon of baked pumpkin pie filling, a scant teaspoon of whip cream then sprinkled with cinnamon.    

These delicious treats were served at a coffee fest and were perfect for taking the edge off sampling so many different types of java.

• Make shells up according to package directions bake 5-7 minutes on a cookie sheet and cool
• Make up pumpkin pie filling just as you would if baking a pie
• Pour ingredients in a Pyrex dish (no pie crust used) and bake as you would for making a pie but cut back time about 5-7 minutes
• Cool ingredients and then scoop out into individual shells 
• Top with whip cream and sprinkle with cinnamon

Cranberry Meat Balls

This recipe was posted last year just in time for the holiday season.  It was requested as a rerun. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. of meatballs-make your own or use prepacked ones
• 1 can (16 oz.) cranberry sauce
• 1 bottle (12 oz.) chili sauce
• 1/4 cup orange marmalade
• 1/4-1/2 cup water
• 2 TB. soy sauce
• 2 TB. wine vinegar
• 1 TB. lemon juice
• 1/2-1 tsp. dried red pepper flakes 

Directions:

• In a large dutch oven over medium heat whisk all ingredients except meatballs
• Cook for 5 minutes or until ingredients are smooth
• Add meatballs and cook on low heat 30 minutes-stirring occasionally and meatballs are warm
• Another alternative is to place meatball mixture in a slow cooker/crock pot and cook on low-medium for 2 hours  

Cook's Note: Recipe can be made ahead and placed in a crock-pot to cook till serving

adapted from Southern Living Recipes (Internet) 

Gratitude is the music of the heart, when its chords are swept by the breeze of kindness.

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