all things pumpkin

Pumpkin Enchiladas

Ingredients:

2 medium-large corn tortillas (like Mission Super Size)
3/4 cup enchilada sauce, divided
2/3 cup canned pure pumpkin
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
1 slice fat-free cheddar cheese, halved
1 1/2 tbsp. taco sauce
1 tsp. dry taco seasoning mix
Optional: salt, black pepper, fat-free sour cream, chopped scallions

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Bring a pan sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat on the stove. Add onion and, stirring occasionally, cook until it begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.

Add pumpkin, taco sauce, and taco seasoning to the bowl. Mix well. If you like, season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Spray a small baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside. Warm tortillas slightly in the microwave.

Lay tortillas flat on a clean, dry surface. Spread 2 tbsp. enchilada sauce onto each one. Place a half-slice of cheese in the center of each tortilla. Evenly distribute the pumpkin mixture between the centers of the tortillas.

Wrap tortillas up tightly and place them in the baking dish with the seam sides down. Cover with remaining 1/2 cup enchilada sauce.

Bake in the oven for about 8 minutes, until enchiladas are hot. Carefully remove dish from the oven, and sprinkle enchiladas with shredded cheese.

Return to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Plate those babies and, if you like, top with sour cream and/or scallions. Enjoy!

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

Upside-down pumpkin cheesecake

Ingredients:
8 oz fat free cream cheese (room temperature)
8 oz Cool Whip Free
8 oz fat free sour cream
2 pouches 100 Calorie Packs Honey Maid Thin Crisps (crushed)
1 can pumpkin puree (16 oz)
1 Tbsp lemon juice
3/4-1 cup Splenda (depending on how sweet you like it)
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Direcions:
Mix cream cheese, Cool Whip, sour cream, lemon juice and Splenda. Then add the pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Mix it all together and pour into 10 dessert dishes. Top with a small handful of crushed Honey Maid Thin Crisps. Chill in the fridge for a few hours, then enjoy. Mmmmmmmm...pumpkinlicious! Serves 10.

(Serves 10 - calories: 115, fat: 0.4g, sodium: 207mg, carbs: 18g, fiber: 1.8g, sugars: 7.5g, protein: 5.2g = 2 Points)

Healthified Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients:

For Crust

2 cups Fiber One bran cereal (original), ground to a breadcrumb-like consistency in a blender or food processor
1/4 cup light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Smart Balance Light or Brummel & Brown), melted & mixed with 2 tbsp. water
3 tbsp. Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)
1 tsp. cinnamon

For Filling

32 oz. fat-free cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original)
1 cup canned pure pumpkin
1 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)
1/4 cup light brown sugar (not packed)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

For Topping
3/4 cup fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine all crust ingredients and mix thoroughly. Spray a springform pie pan (about 9" wide) lightly with nonstick spray -- make sure to get the sides as well as the bottom. Then evenly distribute crumb mixture, using your hands or a flat utensil to firmly press and form the crust along the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine all filling ingredients. Using an electric mixer set to medium speed, mix until completely blended and lump-free. Pour mixture into the pan.

Bake in the oven for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, until set. Allow pie to chill in the fridge for at least 3 - 4 hours (overnight is best).

Once pie has chilled, carefully release and remove springform top. In a small bowl, mix all topping ingredients together until thoroughly blended. Spread topping evenly over the pie.

Return pie to the fridge until ready to serve. Cut pie into 12 slices.

MAKES 12 SERVINGS

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 160 [regular slice of pumpkin cheesecake 492 calories]
Fat: 3.25g
Sodium: 579mg
Carbs: 20g
Fiber: 5g
Sugars: 7g
Protein: 15g

PUMPKIN PANCAKES

Ingredients:

1/3 cup regular oats (not quick or instant)

1/2 cup egg whites

1 tbsp. fat-free cottage cheese

2 tbsp. canned pure pumpkin

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

2 packets of Splenda

Directions: Blend all ingredients together with a hand mixer or blender. Spray your pan with nonstick spray and cook on medium/high heat until bubbly. Then flip your giant pancake and finish it off until golden brown. Top with sugar-free syrup. The entire recipe (minus the syrup) has just 190 calories and 2g of fat.

CHOCOMONKEY OATMEAL

Ingredients:

1/3 cup regular oats (not instant)
1 25-calorie packet diet hot cocoa mix
1/2 medium-sized banana; mashed
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1 no-calorie sweetener packet (like Splenda)
dash salt

Directions:

Pour cocoa mix into a glass with cinnamon, sweetener and salt. Add 1/4 cup of hot water, and stir thoroughly. Once cocoa mix has dissolved, add 1/4 cup of cold water and stir. Place mixture in the fridge to chill. (Make sure it is cold, or oatmeal may bubble over when cooking!) When ready, combine with mashed banana and oats in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, and mix well. Microwave dish for 2 1/2 - 3 minutes (depending on how thick you like your oatmeal). Give it a stir, and then allow oatmeal to cool and thicken. Enjoy!

MAKES 1 SERVING

Canned Pure Pumpkin - It provides creamy texture and fiber too, but has only a few calories per spoonful. In fact, a half-cup of the stuff has just 40 calories and a POINTS® value of 0*. Add cinnamon & nutmeg (or pumpkin pie spice) and a packet of no-cal sweetener, and you'll have yourself a pumpkin pie lover's dream breakfast!

PER SERVING (entire recipe): 185 calories, 2g fat, 137mg sodium, 37g carbs, 5g fiber, 11g sugars, 6.5g protein -- POINTS® value 3*