We had fun shopping at Trader Joe’s the other day. Lots of unique and interesting items, makes you want to grab everything! We ate the Chicken Marsala with mashed potatoes last night and split one meal between the two of us. It was enough with homemade vegetable soup and salad for accompaniments but a single person might want the entire portion. The sauce was tasty and the dish was microwaveable. I look forward to sampling much more of their fare. Their newsletter is fun to read through so be sure to pick one up if you’re there. This month it’s all about pumpkin. I am proud to say that I resisted the sweets but it was oh, SO difficult. I am in the mood for Fall but must keep up with the exercise routine with all the holiday events coming.

These are the treasures we brought home from Trader Joe’s:

Coq Au Vin (Boneless chicken breast in red wine sauce)
Butternut Squash and Creamed Spinach Gratin
Chicken Marsala with Mashed Potatoes
Garlic Potatoes with Parmesan Sauce
Wild Salmon with Yogurt Mint Sauce and Orzo, Spinach, Zucchini
Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Spinach, Mushroom, and Cheese Quiche
Pita Crisps with Cranberries and Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin Cream Cheese
Fig and Olive Crisps
Olive Tampenade Spread
Pumpkin and Cranberry Crisps

What’s your favorite pumpkin dish? Here is one of mine:

PUMPKIN MOUSSE

1-1/2 cups fat free milk
1oz package sugar free instant butterscotch pudding mix
½ cup canned pumpkin
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
½ cup fat free whipped topping
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

Whisk milk and pudding mix in large bowl for two minutes, then set aside. In another bowl, combine the pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice. Gently fold in whipped topping until just blended. Spoon into individual serving dishes. Sprinkle nutmeg on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serves 4-6.