Happy Thanksgiving & Pumpkin Tarts

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! We didn't get a chance to visit family this year, but we had our own little family meal complete with pumpkin pie tarts! As far as I'm concerned, we can eat anything for the main meal, as long as there is pumpkin pie, it's a Thanksgiving dinner. We ended up roasting a chicken, having mashed potatoes, veggies, and fresh homemade buns! As well, for an appetizer, I stuffed orange bell peppers with goat cheese and fresh basil, grilled them, and then drizzled a balsamic reduction over top. So yummy! 

Another thing about the holidays that I love to do is to set the table. Right now I only have a kitchen island to set up, but hopefully soon I will have a proper dinning room table to host beautiful dinners on. I enjoy picking a theme for the dinner and creating table settings to match. Holidays come with a preset theme, but that doesn't mean it has to be ultra traditional. 

This was our table last Thanksgiving and how the table looked this year.

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving 2013

Classic Pumpkin Pie/Tarts

I usually make my own pie crust, but feel free to use whatever method you like for the crust. You can use this recipe for one whole pie or a dozen or so pumpkin tarts. I also like my pumpkin pie spicey, so put less of the spices in if it will be too strong for you.

• 3 Eggs
• 1/2 Sugar
• 2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 2 cups of pumpkin
• 2 cups light cream

1. Mix the eggs with the sugar and spices. 
2. Then add in the pumpkin and light cream.
3. Cook in a pot over low heat just to warm it up before pouring the mixture into your pre-baked crust.
4. Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes for tarts and about half an hour for a pie, until the pumpkin mixture shakes like jello.