Yumm-o!

Today was a super low key day as it was my first of 5 days of unemployment.  I decided to make it a me day.  After spending the first half of the day on the couch, I decided to make a home cooked dinner and surprise Chad with a dessert...two things that I don't do often...but they both turned out super yummy!  Here's a couple of pics and the recipes...

Tortellini with Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce

Salted Pretzel-Marshmallow Bars

Tortellini with Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce 

  2 9oz packages of cheese tortellini

  1 Tbsp unsalted butter

  1 small shallot, finely chopped

  1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin

  Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

  1 1/4 cups heavy cream

  1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping

  Freshly ground pepper

  Chopped fresh parsley, for topping

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add the tortellini and cook as directed.  Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta.  Meanwhile, heat the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until slightly soft (about 2 minutes).  Add the pumpkin & nutmeg and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.  Stir in the cream and bring to a low boil.  Reduce the heat to medium-low.  Simmer, stirring, until slightly thickened (about 5 minutes).  Stir in the cheese and cook until thick (about 1 more minute).  Season with salt & pepper.  Add the tortellini to the skillet and toss with the sauce.  Add some of the reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed.  Divide among bowls and top with more cheese & parsley.

Salted Pretzel-Marshmallow Bars

  1 Cooking spray

  1 1/2 cups broken pretzel pieces

  1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

  1 1/2 tsp baking powder

  1 tsp kosher salt

  1 stick unsalted butter

  1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar

  2 large eggs, slightly beaten

  2 tsp vanilla extract

  8 marshmallows, halved crosswise

  1/4 cup peanut butter chips

  1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

  1 tsp vegetable oil

Position a rack in the middle of the oven & preheat to 350 degrees.  Line a 9 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving a 2 inch overhang on all sides.  Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray.  Pulse 1 cup pretzel pieces in a food processor until finely ground.  Transfer to a bowl.  Whisk in the flour, baking powder and salt.  Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.  Remove from the health and stir in the brown sugar.  Let cool slightly; then stir in the eggs & vanilla.  Stir the pretzel crumb mixture into the butter mixture in two additions.  Spread the batter in the prepared pan.  Scatter the remaining 1/2 cup pretzel pieces on top.  Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few crumbs (about 25-30 minutes).  Let cool completely in the pan on a rack. The lift the foil to remove the bars from the pan and transfer to a baking sheet.

Preheat the broiler.  Press the marshmallow halves, cut-side down, in even rows on top of the bars.  Broil, rotating the baking sheet as needed, until the marshmallows are golden brown (about 1-2 minutes).  Let cool.  Put the peanut butter chips and 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted and smooth.  Repeat with the chocolate chips and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil in another bowl.  Drizzle the melted peanut butter and chocolate mixtures over the bars.  Let harden at room temperature or chill to set before cutting.   

Enjoy!