Fall brunch....

I had a wonderful day today celebrating fall with some ladies from the nature center where I used to work. I tried a couple new recipes that turned out quite yummy that I thought I'd share.Zucchini and Potato Pie

1 pound (3 medium) potatoes, scrubbed
boiling salted water
2 Tablespoons butter
2 eggs
8 ounces mozzarella or provolone cheese, diced fine
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large zucchini, grated
1 teaspoon fresh oregano, or 1/2 tsp. dried, crushed
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons fine dry bread crumbs
Directions: Cook potatoes in boiling salted water for 25-30 minutes, until tender. Drain, peel and mash, using a potato masher, ricer or food mill. Stir in remaining ingredients except bread crumbs and 1 Tablespoon butter. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9 inch pie plate and sprinkle with half the crumbs. Fill plate with the potato mixture, smoothing top. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs and dot with the remaining butter. Bake 30 minutes until pie is puffed and golden. Makes 4 servings. Make two to three pies depending on how many guests are invited.

I also tried my hand at making German Apple Pancakes. I've always been a huge fan of these, but never tried for myself. All I can say is YUM!

German Apple Pancakes
4 eggs
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 pinch salt
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup white sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 large tart apple - peeled, cored and sliced

Directions: In a large bowl, blend eggs, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Gradually mix in milk, stirring constantly. Add vanilla, melted butter and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Let batter stand for 30 minutes or overnight.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Melt butter in a 10 inch oven proof skillet, brushing butter up on the sides of the pan. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Sprinkle mixture over the butter. Line the pan with apple slices. Sprinkle remaining sugar over apples. Place pan over medium-high heat until the mixture bubbles, then gently pour the batter mixture over the apples.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and bake for 10 minutes. Slide pancake onto serving platter and cut into wedges. *I made them in pie pans rather than skillets and it worked out just fine.

Then we got crafty and I pulled out a bunch of my fall stash and we made some fun autumn inspired banners while we chatted away.
What a great way to spend the day!