Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Pumpkin Pie with Orange Marmalade


Thanksgiving is around the corner.

But I don't want to talk turkey.  Not today.
I want to start with dessert!

Who says you can't have dessert first? Well today I wanted to share with you a fabulous pumpkin pie.  Almost everyone makes pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dessert.  I have my favorite pie I make every year.  This year, however, some friends and I decided to get together and cook a few desserts worthy of the holiday.

First up is this fabulous, slightly different, pumpkin pie.  What makes it different?  It has orange marmalade and molasses in it AND no ginger!  The pie was a hit with everyone.  Slightly sweeter but still every bit a pumpkin pie that stands up to the traditional one.

I have all my standard dishes that I make every year, as I'm sure you do.  Traditions are good.

However, new is good too. 



This pie is new...a little updated so to speak.  I like to try adding at least one new dish each year which widens the palate and the interest in the meal.

Hope you enjoy this, and try a new dessert this year!


Pumpkin Pie with Orange Marmalade

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp. plus 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 2 to 3 Tbs. ice water
  • 1 2/3 cups pumpkin puree (see related tip at left)
  • 2 Tbs. orange marmalade
  • 3 Tbs. molasses
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 3 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Whipped cream for serving

Directions:

In a food processor, combine the flour, the 1/4 tsp. sugar and 1/2 tsp. of the salt and pulse once to blend. Add the butter and process in short pulses until pea-size crumbs form, 20 to 25 seconds. While pulsing, gradually add the water until large, moist crumbs form, about 10 seconds more.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and press together to form a 5-inch disk. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat an oven to 425°F.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie dish and fit the dough into the dish. Trim the edges, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Fold under the excess dough and, using your thumb, decoratively flute the edges. Refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes.

Line the pie shell with aluminum foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 20 minutes. Transfer the pie shell to a wire rack and let cool.

In a large bowl, stir together the pumpkin, marmalade, molasses, the 1 cup sugar, the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and the remaining 1/2 tsp. salt. Add the eggs and cream and stir until smooth. Pour the filling into the pie shell and smooth the top.

Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and bake until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer the pie to a wire rack and let cool. Top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream.
Serves 8 to 10.
Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.

 

Monday, November 18, 2013

Thanksgiving Decorations!



I can't believe the year has gone by so fast and it's already time for Thanksgiving.

I know that you all are planning your menu and getting ready to prepare tried and true favorites for that special dinner.  Me included!

But, before I share a few new recipes to try this Thanksgiving Day I wanted to share with you something just as important.  Thanksgiving decorations and tips!  I love to dress a table.  I do it often even for casual dinners.  The tablescape to me is a creative expression that sets the tone for the food.  

Let's have some fun and take a look at some of my favorite Thanksgiving tablescapes.

Centerpiece:

 
(terrible picture...sorry!)

A large hurricane sleeve filled with fresh gourds, pumpkins, squashes, and fall leaves.  Perfect for the season.

 
Birch tree candles from Pier One top clear glasses pillar holders of varying heights.  The pillar holders are from Pottery Barn.  A nice fall runner and some pine boughs and white pumpkins help keep this seasonal and elegant.

Place Settings:


Each place setting holds a wonderful stoneware leaf salad/dessert plate and is topped with a bottle brush turkey that can also be used as a place card holder.  A bit of whimsy.


A more rustic yet elegant styled table.  Antique silver charges topped with grey dinner plats and topped with a wonderful pumpkin salad/dessert plate are all wrapped in linen napkins.  Rustic wood flatware add a cozy touch.  Serving dishes are a joy when shaped in fall pumpkins.  Serving dishes and dessert plates from Williams-Sonoma.



Serving Tips:

 

I've posted this cute way to serve finger foods before.  I just love the idea for olives or pickles so much that I had to share it again.

VEGGIE BOWLS

Carry the harvest theme one step further with bowls made from fresh squash.
What you need:
  • Winter squash such as butternut or acorn
  • Olives
Make it
  1. Cut squash so you are left with the ”bowl” of the vegetable to carve into a container.
  2. Scoop seeds and stringy flesh from the inside of each squash.
  3. Wash and dry well.
  4. Slice a small piece off the bottom of each so they sit flat.
  5. Place on a platter or tray and fill with olives.

I hope I've brought you some inspiration and that you have fun decorating for this very special day!

Friday, November 15, 2013

Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce + GIVEAWAY


UPDATE:  GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!

Congratulations to Janine A "I just love the Barefoot Contessa, she makes everything look easy!" on being the winner of Michael Symon's cookbook.  
Contact BillandImyskid@sbcglobal.net to claim your cookbook.


It's my 500th post, and my Blog is going on 3 years!

I wanted to say a BIG "Thank You!" to all that have supported me over these wonderful three years.  It could not be done without all of you.

What better to celebrate than a great recipe and a fun giveaway.

First, let's talk about today's recipe.  

I've been on a roll with Michael Symon this week and today's post is the third chicken dish that I've made from his book Michael Symon's 5 in 5: 5 Fresh Ingredients + 5 Minutes = 120 Fantastic Dinners.  (Lovin' the chicken!)



Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce is from the section titled "on a stick".  I love a good kabob, and when it can be a meal or an appetizer it's even better.  The flavors of Thai are prominent but this dish is not blazing hot, which is good for most of us!


Again this was made very quickly as promised.  I used chicken breasts instead of thighs cause that's my preference. You could either cook these on an outdoor grill or use your indoor grill pan.  The results were they were fabulous.  The sauce is excellent, the perfect foil for the chicken.

We loved this dish! 




Now for the giveaway...
Since I was so impressed with Michael Symon's cookbook I wanted to share a copy with one lucky person.  Not sponsored, but just cause I appreciate you all so much!

So I will be giving away 1 copy of Michael's :
5 in 5: 5 Fresh Ingredients + 5 Minutes = 120 Fantastic Dinners.


To enter please leave me a comment below answering the following question.

"Who is your favorite celebrity chef and why?"

The winner will be picked randomly next Friday 11/22/13 and the results will be posted on the blog.

Good luck and thanks for coming along with me on this journey!

Other Michael Symon dishes:
Chicken Amandine
Breaded Chicken & Mozzarella with Basil


Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce

slightly adapted from Michael Symon's 5 in 5: 5 Fresh Ingredients + 5 Minutes = 120 Fantastic Dinners

makes 8 skewers
serves 4 for dinner, 6-8 as appetizers

2 T peanut butter
grated zest and juice of 2 oranges
1 jalapeno, minced
1/4 c soy sauce
1/4 c olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips (Michael used chicken thighs)
salt and pepper
1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat your grill pan to medium high heat.

In a small bowl whisk together the peanut butter, orange zest and juice, jalapeno, soy sauce and olive oil.  Season the chicken with salt and pepper.  In a medium bowl toss the chicken with half the peanut sauce, mixing well to coat the meat.

Thread chicken onto 8 skewers.  Place skewers on the grill and cook for 3 minutes.  Flip the meat over and cook for another 2 minutes or until done.  

Remove skewers and place them on a platter.  Drizzle with remaining peanut sauce and top with Cilantro.  Serve with remaining sauce. 

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