Author: Lora Knows...

I'm Lora, and the posts you will find here are inspired by the people I love and my daily life. I hope you enjoy browsing through my recipes, and reading about my life as a real estate agent, DIY wannabe, and wife of a retired Marine.
Cooking, Holidays

Yummy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Lora Knows...

Now that the pumpkins are carved, what can I do with all these seeds? Pumpkin seeds make a great healthy snack! They deliciously take on flavor, everything from sweet to savory. Here are some easy recipe suggestions for you to try.

For all of the savory flavors (breadstick, maple spice, and dill pickle), coat the seeds with olive oil, sprinkle on the seasoning, and bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 300°F for 20–30 minutes.

Breadstick Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon oregano
¼ teaspoon sea salt
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

Maple Spice Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon fine salt

Dill Pickle Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon dill
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper

For the sweet flavors (cinnamon-sugar and cup of joe), coat with melted butter bake and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 300°F for 20–30 minutes.

Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

1 tablespoon butter
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Pinch of salt

Cup of Joe Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1½ tablespoons espresso powder

Daily Happenings, Holidays, Style

6 Tips for Carving Pumpkins

Lora Knows...

While most have their Halloween traditions, none seems more iconic, to me, than pumpkin carving. This annual ritual began in Europe and made its way to the United States in the late 1800s, and am I ever glad it did!

Handling pumpkins can be quite messy and pose maintenance challenges. So go ahead and indulge and use the five tips below to make your pumpkin carving adventure smoother, and maybe less messy.

Tip #1: Instead of carving from the top, try cutting an opening in the pumpkin’s bottom. This unconventional method yields a cleaner pumpkin design and simplifies the process of lighting it up. Just lift the pumpkin, place a battery operated push light on the ground and carefully replace the pumpkin over it.

Tip #2: Upgrade Your Scoop: If you’ve ever wrestled with stubborn pumpkin seeds and stringy innards, and complained there has to be a better way, there is! Use a sturdy metal ice cream scoop – it is much stronger than the flimsy plastic scoopers found in carving kits, making the task much easier.

Tip #3: Sketch with Finesse: Use a dry-erase marker when outlining your design. These markers are much easier to use than their permanent counterparts. Plus, when you are done cutting any of the residue can be wiped away with a baby wipe.

Tip #4: Reinforce with Toothpicks: Accidentally severing a piece of your pumpkin might make you give up, or feel like you ruined the design. Fear not! Use toothpicks to discreetly reconnect the sections.

Tip #5: Add a Dash of Spice: Spice up your pumpkin carving by dusting the interior with ground cinnamon. This not only infuses your creation with the delightful scents of autumn, but also keeps those little animals like squirrels from nibbling on your Halloween masterpiece.

Tip #6: To find templates you can search online for printable pumpkin templates.

Now you’re ready to kick-up your Halloween festitivities with some fun pumpkin carving. Be sure to share the outcome with me.