Many people roast pumpkin seeds, which can make a tasty and healthy snack. What else do you do with your leftover pumpkins? If you have a recipe for a pumpkin dish or a unique seed-roasting technique, or a suggestion for disposing of a pumpkin other than placing it in the trash, please share it in the comment section below.

Cook’s Name: Lisa Stone Town: Buffalo Grove Type of dish: Entree What’s special about this recipe? This is a really healthy way to enjoy pizza, and definitely a lower cal version of traditional pizza. A must try! What you’ll need:  Pizza crust: 3 ½ cups of grated zucchini 3 eggs 2/3 cup flour ½ cup grated Mozzarella ½ cup grated Parmesan ½ tsp dried basil   Topping: Pizza sauce Shredded cheese Toppings of choice Directions: Pre-heat oven to 350. Coarsely grate zucchini and let it sit for 15 minutes. Squeeze out excess moisture. Combine all crust ingredients and spread into an oiled 9x13 pan. …

Cook’s Name: Crystal MaleskiTown: Long GroveType of dish: Main DishWhat’s special about this recipe? A super easy, no fail way to make corned beefWhat you’ll need: A slow cooker/crock pot or a large pot if you are cooking this on the stove 2 onions quartered 1 corned beef brisket with seasoning packet (size is your preference) Water 1 head of cabbage, cut into 6 wedges with core removed 2 cups, baby carrots 10 small red potatoes, scrubbed and cut in half Directions:(Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cooking Time: 10 hours)1. Place quartered onions in the bottom of a slow cooker.2. Remove corned beef …

Cook’s Name: Crystal MaleskiTown: Long GroveType of dish: DessertWhat’s special about this recipe? A dessert that looks fancy but isn’t hard to make.What you’ll need: 1 (18.25 ounce) Devil's Food Chocolate Cake Mix or make your own chocolate cake 2 (15 ounce) cans pitted Bing Cherries 1/4 cup brandy 3 cups heavy whipping cream ( you could substitute cool whip if desired) 2/3 cup powdered sugar 14 maraschino cherries, well drained 1 (1 ounce) square semi sweet baking chocolate Directions:1. Drain the juice from the canned cherries into a 1 cup measuring cup, add the brandy and stir. 2. Prepare…

I went through my first 20 years of life without experiencing the taste of peanut butter and jelly. It wasn’t until I was nearly through college that I succumbed to peer pressure and first tasted America’s Favorite Childhood Sandwich. In my family, PB&J was never served at the lunch table or packed in brown bags. We, of more sophisticated taste, instead dine on peanut butter and cheese sandwiches. PB&C is a bit of a family recipe, though no one seems to recall just who originated it. All I know for certain is that my mom grew up on this delicacy and passed her love for it on to me. My mom’s …

Cook's Name: Cristel Mohrman Type of dish: Breakfast entrée or dessert What's special about this recipe? I make this for my family's Christmas morning breakfast every year. It's a very simple dish that we all love! What you'll need: For cake batter: 1 ½ cups flour ¾ cup sugar 2 ½ t baking powder ¾ t salt ¾ cup milk 1/4 cup shortening 1 egg For streusel filling: ½ cup brown sugar 2 t cinnamon 2 T butter, melted Directions: Blend cake ingredients. Spread half of the batter in a greased 9x9 or pie pan. Mix streusel ingredients. Sprinkle half of the filling over the batter. Spread remaining …

Cook's Name: Crystal Maleski Town: Long Grove Type of dish: Dessert What's special about this recipe? This is a really easy recipe that makes for a great homemade gift. What you'll need: 1 pound pecan halves 2 egg whiles 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon Directions: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Beat the egg while with the vanilla in a small cup. Pour the pecans into a large zip style bag. Add the egg while mixture and toss to coat the nuts. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, salt and cinnamon. Pour this into the bag with the pecans…

Cook's Name: Sue Krebs     Town: Buffalo Grove Dish: Pesto Rolls Type: Appetizer What's special about this recipe? Makes for a pretty presentation at a party! What you'll need: 12oz low fat cream cheese, softened; 3 small green onions, chopped; 1 c grated parmesan cheese; 3/4c pesto sauce, surface oil removed; 1 lb puff pastry dough, thawed Directions: In food processor, combine both cheeses and green onions. Mix until smooth. Add pesto and mix well. Unroll 1 sheet of pastry dough and roll to extend 16 inches. Spread 1/2 pesto mixture to edges, starting at long end. Roll up into a tight …

Cook's Name:  Lisa Stone Town: Buffalo Grove Type of dish: Entrée What's special about this recipe? It is a family favorite and a great way to get the kids to eat spinach! What you'll need: For meatloaf:½ cup orzo1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry1 medium onion, chopped2 garlic cloves, minced1 cup tomato sauce2t salt1t oregano½t pepper2lbs lean ground lamb or ground round For honeyed tomato sauce:1T olive oil1 small onion, chopped1 cup tomato sauce¾ cup beef broth2t honey1/2 t oregano¼ t cinnamon Directions: For meatloaf Cook orzo for 5 minutes in a medium saucepan of …

Cook's Name: Sue Krebs Town: Buffalo Grove Type of dish: Side What's special about this recipe? The latkes are a traditional food that we eat every year. My son starts counting down the days. What you'll need: 10 potatoes, peeled; 1 medium onion; 3 eggs; 3T flour; 1t salt; 1/4t pepper Directions: Grind the potatoes with the onion and mix together well to keep the potato from turning black. Allow to sit and drain for 10 minutes. Discard the liquid. Stir all ...the ingredients with the drained, ground potatoes and onion. Use immediately. If the batter is not thick enough, add a bit more flour. …

Cook's Name: Crystal Maleski Town: Long GroveType of dish: EntréeWhat's special about this recipe? Great way to use leftover turkey from ThanksgivingWhat you'll need:3 Tablespoons butter½ onion, diced2 stalks celery, diced1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms6 Tablespoons, flour1 ½ cups chicken broth1 cup fat free half and half or evaporated milk½ teaspoon salt, or to taste3 ounces cubed cream cheese2 cups cubed, cooked turkey8 ounces dried spaghetti noodles (1/2 of a 1 pound box)¼ cup Parmesan cheeseDirections:Break spaghetti noodles in 2-3" pieces and cook according to package directions. Meanwhile…

Chef's Name: Mimi Gill Chef's Town: Buffalo Grove Type of Dish: SideWhat's Special about this recipe? What's NOT special about made from scratch mashed potatoes?! What You'll Need:A large pot, large bowl, a hand mixer and water.5lbs. russet potatoes, scrubbed well1 stick of butterAbout half a cup of milk (give or take)Salt & PepperGarlic PowderOptional: Sour cream, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, garnishDirections:1. Fill large pot with water and place on stove. Set to high and cover.2. While the pot is heating up, fill large bowl with cold water. Dice up potatoes in big chunks. Add chunks to …

Cook's Name: Crystal Maleski                              MakeDinnerEasy.com Town: Long GroveType of dish: Thanksgiving side dishWhat's special about this recipe? A fresh twist on a traditional Thanksgiving dishWhat you'll need:1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries1 medium orange3/4 cup sugar2 teaspoons grand marnier or cognac (optional and only if kids won't be eating this!)You will need a food processor to make this recipe.Directions:Sort through the cranberries, discarding any that are really soft. While keepingthe peel on, slice the orange into eight wedges removing any seeds. Place …

Cook's Name: Sue Krebs Town: Buffalo Grove Type of dish: Dessert What's special about this recipe? Family Favorite What you'll need: 1c flour, 1c sugar, 1t baking soda, 1/2t salt, 2 eggs, 1/2c oil, 1t vanilla, 3 ripe bananas, mashed, 1 handful chocolate chips (optional), 1 handful chopped walnuts (optional) Directions: Combine all ingredients in order listed (except for walnuts and chocolate chips) in the bowl of a mix master. When everything has been blended, fold in optional chopped walnuts and chocolate chips. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans and bake at 350 for 40 minutes, turning pans front…