Pasta con Lenticchie and THREE Autumn Desserts!~ Meatless Monday!

Happy Monday!

It's Meatless Monday ! This will actually be my last post this week as surgery is tomorrow. 

This has taken quite a toll on my energy level and I am really looking forward to feeling myself again. 

Since I really needed something comforting today (I'm a big wimp and admit to being a little scared), I decided on a dish that my grandmothers made frequently when the weather cooled and something hearty was called for. This is a very traditional dish of the sort that wasn't meant to be served to company- just simple, warm delicious family fare stirred up by your typical frugal Italian mama.

(This was taken by Tim- the youngest Bramasole)  

Pasta con Lenticchie (Pasta with Lentil Sauce)

You can add sausage if desired, but not on Meatless Monday !    :)

I also would typically add some baby spinach at the very end of cooking, but there was none in the house and I wasn't up to a market run

I decided to leave a couple of my parents' favorite desserts in the house while I'm gone. so a little baking was in order

Pumpkin Pillows are filled with a sweet, creamy, spiced pumpkin mixture and chocolate chips

They can be put together in almost no time if you have the puff pastry on hand and are SO good served warm

Mini Apple Crumb Cakes are my Dad's addiction- he LOVES apple anything and the hazelnut and mascarpone crust just puts a smile on his face. Come join us on Facebook for this yummy recipe!

and the hit of the day here at Casa Bramasole- Candy Corn Cookies!

(I was out of yellow food coloring, so gold had to do!)

I came across this recipe this morning on one of my very favorite blogs ever Wives With Knives

Cathy always has incredibles recipes, pictures, and stories about the beautiful area she lives in. If you haven't visited her yet, do yourselves a huge favor and head on over

Cathy, I was planning on leaving these for my  kids to find tomorrow as a surprise when they get home from school. Well, they sniffed them out today and my Nick has been eating them by the HANDFUL

He says "THANK YOU MS.  CATHY" :)

Pasta con Lenticchie

1 large can of San Marzano tomatoes- break apart with your hands

1 qt of vegetable broth, divided- preferably homemade

1/2 cup water

1 rounded cup yellow or brown lentils, cleaned

1 large onion, chopped

3 carrots, chopped small

2 stalks celery, chopped small

salt, to taste

good pinch crushed pepper flakes

3/4 pound pasta- pick a short variety

fresh basil leaves, sliced chiffonade

In a large saucepan, mix together tomatoes, 2 cups of broth, water, lentils, onion, carrots, celery, salt, and red pepper. Bring to a low simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 hours. As the sauce becomes too thick add more broth to keep it somewhat "loose". When the lentils and vegetables are tender and the sauce is the consistency you like, cook pasta in plenty of well salted boiling water till al dente. Drain and combine with lentil sauce. Stir in a handful of the basil. Serve with shaved or shredded fresh Parmesan

Pumpkin Pillows

1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry dough, thawed

1 cup pumpkin puree

2 tblsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 egg beaten with a tiny bit of water for an egg wash

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment. In a small bowl, stir together the pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Unroll the 2 sheets of pastry dough and cut each into 6 pieces. Put a small spoonful of pumpkin mixture in the middle of each piece of dough. Top with 2 or 3 chocolate chips. Brush around the filling on the edges of the dough with the egg wash. Fold each over in half to enclose the filling and press the edges. I also press the edges with the tines of a fork. Transfer the pillows to the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes till puffed and golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for a couple of minutes and serve warm

If you'd like the recipe for our Mini Apple Crumb Cakes (and you know you do!),

 come and visit us on Bramasole's Fan Page on Facebook or send me a friend request- we LOVE new friends. If you don't do Facebook, feel free to email me and I'll be happy to send it along

I will be thinking of you all while in the hospital- Mr B has promised to have my laptop in hand when he  sees me in recovery tomorrow! :)

I'll miss you all and can't wait to be back feeling fabulous!!

Thank you all for the prayers and healing thoughts

As Always,

Buon Cibo, Buon Amici,

Pattie and Allie