Ultimate Pumpkin Waffle

INGREDIENTS
makes 4 round “Belgian” style pumpkin waffles
Click here for the metric version of the recipe.

• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ginger
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg*
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and warm

*Grated and lightly packed into the spoon, use 1/2 tsp. Grated and loosely scooped, this is about 1 tsp. of nutmeg. If you have to use pre-grated, dried nutmeg, use 1/4 tsp.

DIRECTIONS

1. Lightly oil the waffle iron with vegetable oil, and set it to the desired temperature.

2. Combine brown sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl. Whisk together to break apart the cornstarch. Add the remaining dry ingredients, and whisk to blend.

3. Separate eggs: yolks go in a medium sized bowl and whites get set aside in a smaller bowl.

4. Add pumpkin and milk to the egg yolks. Whisk to blend and set aside.

5. Whip egg whites with a hand mixer on high until stiff peaks form – about 1 1/2 – 2 minutes. Set aside.

6. Pour melted butter into the yolk/milk/pumpkin mixture. As you pour, whisk to combine.

7. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix them together until just combined. A little lumpiness is fine. That will smooth out when the egg whites are added.

8. Slide the whipped egg whites out of the bowl and onto the mixture you just prepared. Gently fold them in until no white bits are obvious.

9. Once the waffle iron is heated, you’re ready to pour the batter! In my Presto FlipSide waffle maker, cook time is exactly 2 minutes 30 seconds.



*Recipe found here

Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream

Even my sister's super picky kids liked this recipe.

Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream

Ingredients

1 pt. whipping cream
1/2 cup milk
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup Homemade Pumpkin Purée* recipe at bottom
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup coarsely crushed gingersnaps
2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)

Preparation

1. Whisk all ingredients except gingersnaps and bourbon in a bowl to blend. Strain into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.
2. Scrape ice cream into a bowl and stir in gingersnaps and bourbon. Freeze, covered, until scoopable, 2 1/2 hours and up to 1 week (gingersnaps soften somewhat after 1 day).

Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Ingredients

1 Sugar Pie pumpkin or other deep orange-fleshed squash, about 2 lbs. (or larger)
1 to 2 tsp. vegetable oil

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Cut pumpkin in half, using a large, heavy knife and a mallet to tap knife through flesh. Scoop out and discard seeds. Rub inside of pumpkin with oil. Set pumpkin cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet.
2. Bake until very soft when pierced, at least 45 minutes (up to 75 minutes for a very large squash). Scoop out flesh into a food processor and whirl until smooth. If purée is watery, drain in a fine strainer about 30 minutes.
Make ahead: Chill up to 3 days, or freeze up to 6 months.

*Recipe from Sunset Magazine

Pumpkin Soup

Sorry for the lack of posts. My cooking has been a little lack luster for the past couple of months. I'm hoping to have some great new recipes soon. In the mean time, I'll post some recipes we have made and really enjoyed. They are very fallish, and I love fall food.

Pumpkin Soup with Pumpkin Seed-Mint Pesto

Ingredients

SOUP
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons ground coriander
4 1/2 cups peeled, 1-in. chunks pumpkin or other orange-fleshed squash (from a 2 1/2-lb. squash)
4 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
PESTO
1 small garlic clove
1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, plus slivered leaves
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup salted roasted pumpkin seeds

Preparation

1. Make soup: Sauté onion and ginger in oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat until golden, 5 minutes. Add garlic and coriander and cook until softened, 1 minute, then add pumpkin, broth, salt, and pepper. Simmer, covered, until pumpkin is very tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Purée in batches in a blender until very smooth.
2. Make pesto: Pound garlic, whole mint leaves, salt, and 1 tbsp. oil in a mortar into a coarse paste (or use a food processor). Add remaining oil and pumpkin seeds and pound until coarsely crushed.
3. Drop small spoonfuls of pesto over bowls of soup, garnish with slivered mint, and serve remaining pesto on the side.
Note: Nutritional analysis is per 1 1/2-cup serving.

*Recipe from Sunset Magazine

Indian Butter Chicken

Love this recipe. I think it is a little more of a fall/winter meal, but it is still delicious.

Ingredients

1 onion (1/2 lb.), peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 fresh jalapeño, seeded, and chopped
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup half and half or heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon crushed bay leaves
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
1/2 teaspoon coarse-ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (1/8 lb.) butter
2 cups basmati rice, uncooked
Lime wedges
Fresh cilantro, chopped

Cook rice according to package instructions.

In a large saute pan, combine onion, ginger, chili, and oil. Stir often over medium-high heat until onion is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, garam masala, chili powder, cardamom, and coriander. Saute for an additional 2 minutes.

Scrape mixture into a blender or food processor; add tomato paste and chicken broth. Whirl until very smooth. Pour mixture back into pan, add half and half or cream and crushed bay leaves, and bring to a gentle boil over high heat (mixture is inclined to spatter). Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until reduced to 3 cups, about 5-7 minutes. Pour sauce into a bowl. Rinse and dry pan.

Pat the chicken dry. Mix chicken with salt and pepper. Set pan over high heat; add 1 tablespoon butter and the chicken. Stir until chicken is no longer pink on the surface, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sauce and simmer over medium heat, stirring often, until chicken is no longer pink in the center (cut to test), 3 to 4 minutes. Cut remaining 3 tablespoons butter into chunks and stir into sauce until melted.

Spoon chicken and sauce onto rice. Squeeze lime juice over portions and garnish with cilantro.

*recipe found here

Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pizza) Recipe

I'm still hunting for good recipes to use up the veggies I get in my CSA basket. I've really been enjoying trying out new recipes and have been impressed with most of them. I met a lady while I was picking up my veggies that gave me the name of a website that is great for CSA veggie recipes. I especially liked this recipe because it was low on prep and cook time.

You can find a pictures and more info about this recipe at this website.

Ingredients
2 cups cabbage, finely shredded
1 cup leeks, well washed and chopped (see head notes)
2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or apf flour)
a couple pinches of fine grain sea salt
2 eggs, beaten
1+ tablespoon olive oil

Garnish: toasted slivered almonds, chives/ herbs

Combine the cabbage, leeks, flour, and salt in a bowl. Toss until everything is coated with a dusting of flour. Stir in the eggs and mix until everything is evenly coated.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a generous splash of olive oil. Scoop the cabbage mixture into the pan, and using a metal spatula press it into a round pancake shape, flat as you can get it. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the bottom is golden. To flip the okonomiyaki, slide it out of the skillet onto a plate. Place another plate on top and flip both (together) over. If you need a bit more oil in your skillet, add it now, before sliding the okonomiyaki back into the skillet. Again press down a bit with a spatula and cook until golden on this side - another 3 -5 minutes.

When you are finished cooking, sprinkle with toasted almonds and chives, and slide it onto a cutting board to cut into wedges. Enjoy immediately.

Serves 1 - 2.

Lamb Keema with Potatoes and Peas

Spencer and I both loved this recipe. It has a delicious Indian flavor and the ground lamb is just perfect. I am not usually a ground meat person, but the flavor of this was very worth it. I was also surprised that Smith's(local Utah supermarket) carries ground lamb. I thought I was going to have to search for it. I was also able to buy the garam masala in the bulk spice section, which was nice. I hate buying huge amounts of spices when I know I won't use them before they go bad.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small serrano chile, minced
About 1 tsp. salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
3/4 cup plain yogurt
3/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup frozen peas
Hot cooked rice
1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 minutes. Add garlic, chile, 1 tsp. salt, and the spices; cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in tomato paste.
2. Add lamb and cook, breaking up large chunks of meat, until no longer pink, about 3 minutes. Add potatoes, yogurt, and milk to pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat until mixture is simmering vigorously, cover, and cook 10 minutes.
3. Stir in peas and cook 5 minutes longer, until peas are cooked through and mixture has thickened. Serve over rice with cilantro sprinkled on each serving. Add more salt to taste if you like.

via Sunset Magazine

Curried Carrot Coconut Soup

While my husband and I both agreed that we like curry squash soup a little more, this was still a delicious recipe and we have now made it a couple of times. It takes a lot less time than squash soup and feels a little less fallish since it is just made with carrots.


Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons yellow curry paste*
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pound baby carrots, chopped
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 can (15 oz.) coconut milk
1/4 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

Preparation

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over high heat. Cook onion, garlic, curry paste, cayenne, and salt until fragrant, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Add carrots and broth and cook, covered, until carrots are very tender, about 12 minutes.
2. Purée soup until very smooth, using a blender and working in batches. Stir in coconut milk and heat until hot. Mix yogurt and cilantro in a small bowl. Serve bowls of soup with a dollop of yogurt.
*Find in grocery stores' Asian-foods aisle.
serves 4

*recipe from Sunset magazine

Zucchini Rice Gratin

My CSA delivered a whole ton of zucchini and yellow summer squash this last week. The first recipe I turned to was my tried and true zucchini, goat cheese and walnut pizza. After that I needed some help. My sister in law recommended this recipe from Epicurious and it was a winner. I did make some changes after reading some of the comments on the website though. I'll post the original recipe first and my changes at the bottom.


Ingredients

1/3 cup long-grain white rice
1 1/2 pounds zucchini (about 3 medium), sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
6 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 pounds plum tomatoes, sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
1 medium onion, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, divided

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°F with racks in upper and lower thirds.

Cook rice according to package instructions.

While rice cooks, toss zucchini with 1 tablespoon oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a shallow baking pan. Toss tomatoes with 1/2 tablespoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in another baking pan.

Roast zucchini in upper third of oven and tomatoes in lower third, turning vegetables once halfway through roasting, until tender and light golden, about 10 minutes for tomatoes; 20 minutes for zucchini. Leave oven on.

Meanwhile, cook onion and garlic with 1/2 teaspoon salt in 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy skillet, covered, over low heat, stirring occasionally, until very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Stir together onion mixture, cooked rice, eggs, thyme, 1/4 cup cheese, 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Spread half of rice mixture in a shallow 2-quart baking dish, then top with half of zucchini. Spread remaining rice mixture over zucchini, then top with remaining zucchini. Top with tomatoes and drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, then sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

Bake in upper third of oven until set and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

*My changes-
I used about 1 1/2 cups cooked brown basmati rice and it probably could still have had some more. This recipe is pretty wimpy on the rice. I used the brown rice purely because I do not keep white rice on hand. If I was to make it again, I would still use brown rice just more of it.

I also used less oil than it calls for. I calls for a quite a bit of oil at every stage and it just seemed like a lot. I probably cut the oil in half.

I am a garlic nut, so I used 3 large garlic cloves and one smaller one and while the dish was quite garlicky, I thought it was wonderful.

And last but not least, I sprinkled some fresh basil on top of it. My basil plant has gotten quite large and I pretty much add basil to everything now.

Lemon Ginger Frozen Yogurt

3/4 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel

Preparation

Bring water, sugar, light corn syrup, and grated ginger to boil in medium saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil 2 minutes. Strain into medium bowl and chill until cool. Whisk in yogurt, buttermilk, lemon juice, and lemon peel. Process in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions; cover and freeze.


*I made this almost exactly according to the recipe and it tasted great. I used greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt. It has a very lemony taste and the ginger is much more subtle. The texture is more like sorbet. I topped it with fresh raspberries. Next time I may try it with less water and more yogurt to make it more creamy. My family all really liked it though.

Beef, Snap pea and Asparagus Stir-Fry

I made this for the first time tonight and was impressed. Hopefully you enjoy it too. Sorry only half the picture shows up. I'm not sure why, but hopefully you can still see enough to get a feel for the food.

Beef, Snap Pea, and Asparagus Stir-Fry

Ingredients

1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 pound boneless New York strip steak, thinly sliced
Coarse salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 bunch asparagus (14 ounces), trimmed, cut into 2-inch lengths
6 ounces snap peas
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon peeled minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving (optional)
2 tablespoons torn fresh basil leaves


Directions

In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Season steak with salt. In a large skillet or wok, heat oil over high. Cook steak, undisturbed, until brown on one side, 2 minutes (do not overcrowd pan). Flip and cook until cooked through, 30 seconds. Transfer to a bowl.

Add asparagus, snap peas, garlic, and ginger to skillet. Cook, stirring constantly (add a little water if pan gets too dark), until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Add soy mixture and cook until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Remove skillet from heat and stir in lemon juice and basil. Toss steak with vegetables; serve with rice and lemon wedges if desired.

* recipe from Martha Stewart Food