When MSNBC news correspondent Norah O’Donnell and her husband, chef Geoff Tracy, published Baby Love, we felt a moment of guilt (and jealousy). How could they — with their demanding jobs and three kids under 4 — have time to make their own healthy baby food and write a book about it?

Two weeks worth of fresh baby food in less than one hour is how. So we asked them to whip up a Halloween recipe for us — in their spare time.

Jack-o’-Lantern Muffins
Makes around two dozen

Ingredients
1 stick butter, room temperature
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. unbleached, all-purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1½ c. pumpkin puree (recipe below)
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. allspice
½ tsp. ground ginger

1. Preheat oven to 350º.

2. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs.

3. Mix together all-purpose flour, wheat flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and ground ginger. Add to creamed mixture and mix well.

4. Mix in pumpkin puree.

5. Spoon the mixture into a small or large muffin tin. Bake small muffins for 20 minutes. Bake large muffins 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin. If it comes out clean, the muffins are ready to remove and cool on a rack.

Pumpkin Puree

Ingredients
3-5 pound pumpkin

1. Remove top and spoon out seeds and stringy insides.

2. Slice pumpkin in half and put in baking dish with 1-2 cups water.

3. Bake for 90 minutes at 350º. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

4. Spoon out flesh of pumpkin and puree until smooth.

For more delicious recipes, check out Baby Love, by Norah O’Donnell and Geoff Tracy, available online at amazon.com.

SAY PLEASE
Mrs. McVeigh’s Magnificent Manners Show
What: Local etiquette expert Elise McVeigh has a new interactive DVD ($20) to teach tykes to mind their p’s and q’s.
Why: The thank-you note tips will come in handy after the holidays.
When: Before Grandma’s Thanksgiving visit.
Where: Online at mrsmcveighsmanners.com.

PLAY
Pumpkin Festival
What: A pie-eating contest, face painting, and loads of fall-themed fun.
Why: Little monsters will love shooting mini pumpkins into a hockey goal.
When: Sat., 2-5 p.m.
Where: The Village at Allen, 190 E. Stacy Rd., Allen. Admission is free.

EXPLORE
WorldFest
What: Learn about cultures from around the globe through dance, art, and games.
Why: Make African masks just in time for Halloween.
When: Sat. & Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Where: Village on the Parkway, 5100 Belt Line Rd., Addison (800-233-4766). Admission is free.

Photo: elena’s panty / Flickr

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