Pumpkin Pancakes

These are SO good!  My kids love them.

::Ingredients::
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup milk {I used 1%}
6 tablespoons pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 egg

::Directions::

Stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.

Whisk together the milk, pumpkin, butter and egg in a separate bowl. Fold this mixture into the dry ingredients.

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.

Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake and cook approximately 3 minutes per side.

Makes about 12 pancakes.

Each pancake is 2 points+.

*Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart.

:::Emily:::

Broccoli Cheese Soup

We had this for dinner tonight, it's the second time I've made it and I made some adjustments this time.  I'm not a huge fan of sharp cheddar cheese, but I used it last time because it's what the recipe called for.  This time I used medium cheddar cheese and I liked it a lot better.

::Ingredients::
1 3/4 cups fat free chicken broth
1 small onion, diced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, preferably sharp or extra sharp {I like it better with medium}
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
2 1/2 to 3 cups chopped, lightly steamed or blanched broccoli

::Directions::
Simmer chicken broth and chopped onion for 15-20 minutes in a covered small saucepan, until onions are soft. Heat milk in microwave for 1-2 minutes. In a separate medium-sized stockpot, melt butter then add flour, salt and pepper. Cook together, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes, then whisk in warmed milk. Stir and heat together on medium heat until soup starts to thicken, about 5-8 minutes. Add warmed chicken broth and continue to stir until well blended. Add cheeses and stir until completely melted. Stir in seamed broccoli. Add more salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Serve immediately in bowls or bread bowls.

Adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Serves 4.  Each serving is 11 points+. {If made with 1% milk}

:::Emily:::

Homestyle Stew

We had this for dinner this week and it was SO good.  We all loved it!  It was also really easy, and I like easy. I got it from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

1 can minestrone soup

1 can tomato soup

1 can water

1 pound stew meat {I used round roast and cut it up into pieces and trimmed all the fat off of it.}

1 onion, chopped

3-4 carrots, thickly sliced

3-4 potatoes, cut into chunks {I used red potatoes and kept the skins on.}

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all in a crockpot. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high 4-5 hours. Serves 4-6.

If divided into 6 servings, each serving is 7 points+. 

:::Emily:::