Tag Archives: pumpkin

Pumpkin Layer Cake with Espresso Italian Meringue Buttercream

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Danguole| 4 Comments

So, my sister turned 31 last week!  Apropos of totally nothing, she still has the glowy, perfectly poreless skin of a newborn.  In other related news, I’ve come to suspect that I also may be part vampire.  Sadly, it seems that all I have inherited from that side of the fam is that I’m averse to sunlight (and probably wooden stakes, but who isn’t?). 

The sister seems to prefer pumpkin spice lattes to virgin blood, though.  BORING, but also a whole lot better-tasting, right?

Let me tell you…  If you are fond of someone who enjoys a good pumpkin latte, this is THE cake for such a person’s special occasions.   Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations.  Retirements, housewarmings, baby showers. Getting paroled.  Whatever, you get the picture.

Pumpkin and espresso may seem like an odd combo at first, but this only works to your advantage.  Once you remind everyone of pumpkin lattes, Clever Points…  You will get them.

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Posted in Baking, Cake, Dessert, Entertaining, Fall, Vegetarian

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Pumpkin Curry with Chicken

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Danguole| Leave a comment

I’m not sure if the super-extremely nice man at the Thai restaurant by the Home Depot near my place will ever see this post.  But if he does, he needs to know that: This relationship?  Whereby the mancompanion and I stop by once in a while for some amazing pumpkin curry?  Rock.  Solid.  You’re not getting rid of us!  I’m not trying to find a way to sidestep you and the restaurant so I can eat warm, coconut-y sweet, spicy goodness in my sweatpants.

In my mind at least, trying to recreate restaurant favorites is not about that at all.  It’s fun, interesting and challenging, and (cheese alert) I swear, in some way it brings me closer to the food and those who make it.  It makes me pay more attention to what I’m tasting.

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Posted in Fall, Main courses

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Pumpkin Turkey Chili

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Danguole| 1 Comment

I’m on a hunt for the perfect fall coat.  As it exists in my head, it’s a warm, hip-length peacoat that tucks in at the waist instead of just hanging there all boxy-like.  The sleeves are long enough for my awkward, flailing long arms, and oh, by the way, it’s super WARM.  Not black (lint problems) or too light (I spill exactly everything, exactly everywhere), but neutral enough to wear with most things.  Can this happen? Does it exist?

That’s gonna be tough to find.  But you know what isn’t tough?  Making the perfect fall dinner.  In particular, this chili.  That’s part of what makes it perfect–it’s easy.  Also, mucho delicious, satisfying, healthy, warming and comforting.

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Posted in Fall, Healthy (?), Main courses, Meat

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Foodbuzz 24×24: Autumn Tea Party

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Danguole| 3 Comments

I was completely caught off guard when Foodbuzz emailed me to tell me that they’d selected my idea for their monthly 24×24, wherein 24 of their featured publishers throw a dinner party on the same day and write a post about it.  I had sent in my proposal in a “why not?” moment, never actually expecting to be picked. I mean, do these people know that sometimes I consider going to bed in my work clothes so I can sleep in 40 minutes later?  Or that I once got in the shower with socks on?

But all in all, I was excited.  I was up for making all kinds of delicious, dainty finger foods to serve to my friends, and no one even has to know about Shower Socks.  Smooth.

The menu I had in mind was centered around light, interesting, seasonally-focused finger foods.  Also, since one of my guests is lactose-intolerant while another is allergic to tree nuts, this presented a bit of a challenge.  I ultimately decided on:

-Classic cucumber tea sandwiches with minted avocado and fresh green apple
-Smoked trout and roasted beet tea sandwiches on dark rye
-Grilled tea sandwiches with roasted butternut squash, roasted red onion, prosciutto, coppa ham and rice “cheese”
-Caramelized balsamic pear bruschetta on tofu cream cheese and honey with pomegranate seeds
-Pumpkin madeleines
-Honey and bourbon iced tea cocktail
-Gourmet loose-leaf and bagged teas

And on it was.

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Posted in Entertaining, Fall

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Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Danguole| Leave a comment

Let me tell you about one of my favorite pastimes…  I call it bathtub drinking.  Bathinking, if you will.  Whatever.  I know I’m not reinventing the wheel here, but I bet there are still people all around me who have never tried it, and that’s a shame.  Two distinct and individually wonderful things coming together and making a whole new something that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Like pumpkin and chocolate.  Yes!

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Posted in Brownies, Dessert, Fall

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Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese With Caramelized Onion and Smoked Cheddar

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Danguole| 2 Comments

I don’t know what I’m gonna be for Halloween just yet, but one of my ideas happens to be an orange woman.  As in, macaroni and cheese orange.  Pumpkin orange.  And it’s not even a Jersey Shore cast member!  Speaking of, do you have any respect for me?  If so, let me fix that right now: I watch that show and I love it and hate myself for it.  There.

In fact, I’m still waiting for the perfect opportunity to say to someone, “Just stick it in the jet hole and go to bed.”  Thanks, J-Wowww (how many Ws in your name again?).

Of course, you’re much classier than me.  So you’re probably going to make this delicious macaroni and cheese and eat it over a conversation about Rumi, far away from your TV and all the trash that’s on it.  It’s okay–this dinner knows no trashiness bounds.  We can still be friends, too.

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Posted in Fall, Main courses, Sides, Vegetarian

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