novel34

  The Toddster and I had a pretty in depth conversation the other night about pumpkin.  He thought pumpkin was a very bland recipe.   I had made a delicious pumpkin pie for dessert when we had the missionary elders over and we were talking about pumpkin. He hadn't realized that the pumpkins which are normally used for pumpkin pies are the smaller sugar pumpkin variety.  I know some people use the larger ones and that's ok . . . but if you want a really great pumpkin pie you want to use a sugar pumpkin.  They are lovely and sweet, and I don't think you could call them bland at all! I have always found the larger pumpkins to be lacking in flavour in comparison and their texture is not quite the same.  I do like them roasted though . . . as with any of the autumn vegetables, roasting brings out a lot of the natural sweetness.  I just roast them with a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Anyhoo . . . this pie I am showing you here today went do...

  I am such a lucky girl.  I often get sent the nicest things.  I have always wanted an Emma Bridgewater Mug.  My ex boss had several in her mug drawer in the kitchen and I always loved using them.  I have been known to go to the Emma Bridgewater Page and drool for hours at a time, wishin' and hopin' . . .   I know Susan Branch loves them too and she shared her visit to the plant with us in her latest book.  (Which I devoured from cover to cover!) Imagine my excitement when this box arrived in the post late last week.  I could hardly wait to open it!  What did I find inside????  Well . . . None other than their brand new 2013 Halloween half pint mug !!  I know!!!  So excited!   A Halloween celebration of the ghoulish gourd and hand decorated with beautifully coloured hand-sponged pumpkins!!   It's generous size makes it just perfect for a warming brew or cup of soup on All Hallows’ Eve.   ...

     This is a lovely cake that I always used to make using just apples.   They almost melt into the cake, making it beautifully moist.   The other day I had some pears that I wanted to use as well, and so I used half pears and half apples with the most delightful results!!     I kicked up the spice a bit.  Normally I use only cinnamon, but pears go so very well with cardamom . . . and nutmeg is a warm spice that goes well with most fruits, and so I added some of each of those.   WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CAKE.  No, not to look at, it's actually kind of ugly to look at, but flavour-wise, this cake cannot be beat.  It's just gorgeous!     I added some toasted walnut pieces for a bit of crunch.  I do like a cake that is interesting and has different bits in it, don't you???  But fear not, if nuts are not your thing, you can easily leave them out, no problem.  Likewise the sultanas. ...

    I had baked a delicious spiced apple and pear cake today to share with you, but the day got away from me and before I knew it, it was too dark to take photographs.   I like taking my food photographs in natural light if I can, which means I will have to wait until tomorrow.  In the meantime I am moving a few scrummy bits over from my other blog.  I think it would be nice to have all my recipes in one place.  The photography on these is not that great as it was eons ago and I was not that practiced at using my camera or taking photos!  They're all good solid recipes however.  There isn't a clanger in the bunch!  Tasty tasty!  I'll be back tomorrow with the apple cake!    *Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies* Makes about 36 Printable Recipe Oh my but these are delicious fresh out of the oven with a tall glass of cold milk.  Each bite brings you the sweet crunch on the outside with the chewiness of the inside, and full oaty ...

Since I was ill in September I haven't been able to look at a pizza.  Pizza was always one of my favourite things . . . it makes me sad that it isn't any longer.   I can't get enthused for Chicken Parm either.  I had made Chicken Parm Enchiladas that day and well, you know.   I haven't even been able to look at the photographs since!   It may be a while before you get to see those! I don't know if it is the combination of the sauce and the cheese and meat or what, but it's been a no go for about a month now . . . until today.  Today I decided to create a delicious roasted root vegetable pizza, with a whole wheat crust! All I can say is wowsa!  You get a nice thick crust, not unlike a foccacia . . . and then all of those sweetly caramlized root vegetables nestled amongst not one, not two, but THREE cheeses!   Just look at all of that delicious scrumminess . . . butternut squash, parsnips, carrots, red onions . . . roasted until sti...

       I got really lucky this year.  Aldi (which is one of the cheaper grocery stores) had tinned pumpkin on special a month or so back.  I was so excited.  It can sometimes be a really difficult ingredient to find on the cheap over here in the UK.  Normally you pay over the odds for it, if you can find it.  (I have had success in Waitrose and Sainsbury's and of course there is Skyco as well.)   So anyways, they had it in Aldi for a really reasonable price and I loaded up on it!  I think I bought 24 tins, much to Todd's embarassment and chagrin!  But then, I am a North American and I love pumpkin!  I think I am converting him to the idea as well.   Especially when I make him such deliciousness as these fabulous Pumpkin Fritters.  They are delightful little light spicy puffs of pumpkin!  And that sauce . . . oh baby.  It is fabulous! Of course if you can't find the tinned pumpkin puree, you ca...