It’s always good if you can bring fun into making dinner, and fortunately, Fall food lends itself to festive presentation. I am definitely better at the “flavor” end of food than I am the “fun” (I did NOT make this apple 
, but for those of you who don’t so much looove the cooking but might enjoy a little decorating, play to your strong suit.
- Decorate the top of a fruit or pot pie by cutting a message in the air slits.
- Fancy faced pizza is always a big hit with the kids.
- Give food “legs” with pretzels, and eyes with raisins.
- Put the first letter of each person’s name on their plate with julienned vegetables.
- Making anything “mini” says fun. Ever tried King’s Hawaiian Sweet rolls? They are delicious for cheeseburgers, and make fun sliders. Use the mini rye toasts for mini reubens.
Here is one I did create that brought smiles to my kids:
Shepherd’s Pumpkin Pie — delicious Shepherd’s Pie in pumpkins my kids got to hollow out.
Ingredients
4 pie pumpkins, seeded
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 onion, diced
1/2 cup carrots, diced
1/2 cup broth
1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup peas
2 cups mashed potatoes (see website for recipe)
paprika
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large skillet, melt butter. Add flour and stir until thick paste forms. Add onions and carrots, continue stirring, and stir in broth. Add beef and Worcestershire sauce, and cook about 10 minutes until lightly browned. Stir in peas. Add equal parts beef mixture to each pumpkin, and top with equal parts mashed potatoes. Sprinkle top with paprika. Cook in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes.
