​2/3 cup coarse, stone ground corn grits
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed cooked pumpkin or winter squash (blue hubbard or butternut) or canned pumpkin
a few grinds black pepper
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

​1. Combine the grits and some cold water in a bowl; the husks will rise to the top.  Drain in a mesh strainer.
2. Combine the grits, 1 1/2 cup water, evaporated milk, and the salt in the slow cooker.  With a wooden or plastic spoon, stir for 15 seconds.  Add the pumpkin and pepper, cover, and cook on HIGH for 3-3 1/2 hours or LOW 7-9 hours, until thick and creamy.
3. Stir in the butter and cheese, cover, turn off the cooker, and let the mixture rest for 10 minutes to melt the butter and cheese.  Serve immediately.

On the top of my list of things I miss from my hometown, Outpost Coop is up there.  I miss a quick trip in for any of the good foods that they create in their kitchen.  I remembered I had a few of their magazines with some recipes bookmarked so I started paging through and was thrilled to find this one for the Florentine Burgers!  It's my favorite of all the prepackaged deli burgers.  I happen to have leftover creamed spinach and I used that and omitted the cheddar and it still had that familiar flavor I missed so much.  This little veggie patty is a winner.  Tamari and nutritional yeast are two of my favorite flavors as are fried up toasty walnuts and spinach is always good!  I have had these as a sandwich, in a wrap or just all by themselves.

Florentine Burgers
Outpost Coop, Milwaukee WI

1 package (10-12 oz) Frozen Spinach
1 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup panko bread crumbs
2 eggs, whisked
1/4 cup onions, minced
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons tamari
1 1/4 teaspoons garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons fresh basil, chopped
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Oil for sauteing

1.  Thaw spinach and press any excess liquid out.  Set aside.
2.  Add walnuts and panko to a food processor until finely ground.  Add spinach, process until roughly chopped.
3.  Put walnut, panko and spinach mixture into a bowl and add remaining ingredients.  Mix well to combine.  Form into 6 burger patties.
4.  Heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat.  Saute burgers until golden brown.

Apple-Cheddar Soup Better Homes & Gardens

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 tablespoon butter

2 medium baking potatoes, peeled and diced

2 cups apple cider

1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed

dash cayenne pepper

1 medium cooking apple, peeled, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup milk

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)

fresh apple slices

green peppercorns

1.  In large saucepan cook onion in hot butter over medium heat until tender. Stir in potatoes, cider, thyme, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Add chopped apple; simmer, covered, 5 minutes or until potatoes are tender. In small bowl combine milk and flour; stir into soup. Cook and stir until bubbly. Slowly add cheese, whisking until cheese is melted. 

2. Divide soup among serving dishes; top with apple slices and peppercorns. Makes 4 to 6 side-dish servings.