Pumpkin and Caramel Layered Panna Cotta

Sweetened cream with a mousse-like texture, flavored with pumpkin and spices sits on top of a layer of luscious caramel.  One bite and it transports you to a brisk fall day on a country lane.  

 

Hoping this post finds everyone healthy and happy.

How was your Thanksgiving?  Did you stuff yourself or did you have a low key dinner this year?  We had a small intimate version of our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner and it turned out very nice.  

One thing I did differently this year was to skip the traditional pumpkin pie for dessert.  I have to say that it was HARD not to make a pie.  We only have it once a year and as the day got closer I was feeling a little sad that I wasn't making one.  It's just such a tradition.   However, I was determined not to spend a whole lot of time in the kitchen and decided on a substitute dessert that was still pumpkin flavored.

Pumpkin and Caramel Layered Panna Cotta

I got this fabulous recipe from a chef that I know.  She's wonderful and suggested this Pumpkin and Caramel Layered Panna Cotta.  When I first heard this I was thinking, "yikes...I want something easy!"  Well don't be fooled by the fancy name.  This Italian dessert is made of sweetened cream and set up with gelatin.  It really is easier and quicker than pie by far!  

I made this the day before our big dinner and it done in 30 minutes.  Far easier that messing with pie dough, filling, and baking.  And what a hit!  A sweetened cream with a mousse-like texture flavored with pumpkin and spices sit on top of a layer for luscious caramel.  

Tips for Making the Panna Cotta

• Use a small clear drinking glass, glass ramekins, or even small mason jars for your vessel.   
• Make sure to get a good quality caramel sauce.  
• Use unflavored gelatin
• Set out all your ingredients beforehand as this moves quickly
• Make sure to get pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling

Toppings

• whipped cream
• plain
• toffee bits
• grated fresh nutmeg
• dust with cinnamon
• chocolate chips
• drizzle with caramel  

So if you have extra cans of pumpkin please dare to make this dish.  It's so easy to make and the taste will blow you away!

Enjoy!

Pumpkin and Caramel Layered Panna Cotta

serves 6

1 jar good quality caramel sauce
2 tsp gelatin (unflavored)
3 Tablespoon cold water
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla
Whipped cream for garnish
grated fresh nutmeg for garnish

Spoon caramel into the bottom of 6 glass ramekins or small drinking glasses.  There should be about a 1 inch layer of caramel on the bottom.  Refrigerate caramel in glasses while making the panna cotta.

Sprinkle gelatin over the water in a measuring cup.  Set aside for 5 minutes to soften.  Heat in the microwave on high for 20 seconds to dissolve.

Please the cream and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer.  Tiny bubbles should just appear around the perimeter of the pan.  Remove pan from heat and whisk in the gelatin.  Allow to cool for 10 minutes.  Whisk in the pumpkin, spice, and vanilla until well combined.

Transfer the pumpkin mixture to a 4 cup measuring cup for easy pouring.  Pour over the cold caramel.  Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.

When ready to serve top with whipped cream and a sprinkling of nutmeg.

source:  Phillis Carey the Casual Gourmet

Cozy Autumn Brunch: Pumpkin Pancakes

Soft and fluffy pumpkin pancakes bursting with fall flavor is a recipe everyone should know.  Go ahead.  You deserve a weekend brunch where these pancakes are the star!

This is for everyone who loves crisp autumn days, the spicy sweetness of pumpkin pie, and fond memories of Thanksgiving at Grandma's house.  Brunches are meant to be leisurely, social gatherings where you eat a late breakfast or early lunch.  In autumn, the weather dictates that brunches are meant to be cozy.  

Growing up in the 80's brunches were all the thing.  We would get all dressed up on Sunday and head off to a fancy hotel or a favorite restaurant that served a huge brunch buffet. I even remember them being so fancy that ice sculptures were the center of attention.  And the food?  Oh yes, everything you could think of was on the menu.  What a way to cast away the worries and cobwebs from the week!

We have brunch at home just about every Sunday.  We love to sleep in late and then get up and have a big leisurely breakfast before we start the day.  It's the time for us to pull out some special touches that are not afforded during the week.  It's the time for frying up bacon, juice, coffee, tea, waffles, eggs, pancakes, fruit and jams.   Yes please!

Pancakes are a favorite around our house and when you throw in a flavor like pumpkin, they are even more special.  Pancakes shouldn't be complicated.  What they ought to be is soft and extra fluffy.  These pumpkin pancakes are full of fall flavor, and soooo light and fluffy without being too sweet.

A Great day is one starting with pancakes!

What goes in pumpkin pancakes

Here's what you'll need:

• flour
• brown sugar
• baking powder
• salt
• pumpkin pie spice
• pureed pumpkin
• milk
• egg
• oil

How to make fluffy pancakes

• FRESH baking powder.  Make sure yours's isn't old or it won't give you that high rise.
• Mix the dry ingredient first and combine them, 
• Mix the wet ingredient in another bowl then add them to the dry ones.  STIR JUST UNTIL COMBINED.  Don't overmix or the pancakes will come out tough.
• When cooking, watch for the bubbles.  That's the sign it's time to flip.

Pancake Toppings

• Butter
• Hot maple syrup
• Honey
• Chocolate chips (how cute would it be to make a pumpkin face!)
• Chopped nuts
• Nutella
• Cinnamon & Sugar
• Whipped Cream and cranberries or blueberries

Just about anything that mixes with pumpkin would be perfect on your pancakes.  Dream big!

Enjoy your autumn brunch and makes these pancakes the center of attention!

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pancakes

yield:  12 pancakes

2 cups flour

2 Tablespoons brown sugar, packed

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned) (not pumpkin pie filling)

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 Tablespoons oil

Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl.  Stir to combine.  Set aside.

To a separate bowl add pumpkin, egg, and oil.  Stir to combine.  Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients and combine just until moistened.  Pour batter using a 1/4 cup measurement on to a well greased or buttered skillet or griddle.  Cook over medium heat until bubbles appear, flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until golden brown.  

An Intimate Thanksgiving

A cozy intimate Thanksgiving menu is being planned for this year's holiday meal.  Come join the fun!

I know that the Thanksgiving holiday is going to look different to everyone this year due to the COVID-19 restrictions we are all facing during the the 2nd wave of this horrendous virus.  My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that has been touched by this.  As sad as it is most of us must scale back our holiday guest list and that calls for scaling back your menu as well.

Most, but not all people I've talked to, are still doing some form of turkey dinner.  Although it may not be the all out traditional dinner with loads of side dishes a smaller version still seems to be the plan.  That's what we will be doing as well.  With that I wanted to bring you some ideas for creating menu for around 4-6 people that still feels like Thanksgiving.  

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Why not save on some of the cooking and oven time that goes into a whole turkey and cook a turkey breast, or half breast instead? A half breast will feed 4 people easily, and full turkey breast would be for 6 or more.  Everyone loves turkey breast meat and if someone has to have dark meat then you can buy turkey legs separately and cook them on the side.

Here's my favorite turkey breast recipe.  The glaze is key here so don't skip this.  It's the perfect blend of sweet and savory.  Double the recipe is cooking a full breast.

Citrus Rosemary Glazed Turkey Breast

serves 4-6

1/2 c apricot preserves
1/4 c orange juice
2 Tbls honey
1 Tbls Dijon mustard
2 tsp garlic, minced
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 c white wine
1/2 bone-in full turkey breast (about 3-4 pounds)
Garnish:  rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, orange wedges, pomegranate arils

In a medium saucepan over medium heat add apricot preserves, orange juice, honey, Dijon, garlic, and rosemary sprigs.  Bring to a boil and then remove from heat and allow to cool.  Once cooled discard the rosemary.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Pat turkey breast to dry the outside.  Place rack in a roasting pan and spray with non-stick spray.  Place turkey breast on rack.  Pour wine in the bottom of the roasting pan.  

Place in oven and roast for 30 minutes.  Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees and brush breast with glaze.  Continue roasting until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches 155 degrees. (depending on size of the turkey breast possibly 1 hour more)  Brush with glaze every 30 minutes.  

Transfer turkey breast to a cutting board and tent with foil.  Allow to rest  20 minutes before slicing.  Turkey will continue to cook during this time and reach the proper temperature.  Remove the breast in one piece from the bone and then slice the breast crosswise into slices.  Place slices on a platter and garnish with rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, orange wedges, and pomegranate arils.

Mashed potatoes are a classic and something we can't do without at our holiday dinner.  This is a classic version that's been scaled down for an intimate dinner.

Classic Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 lb. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tsp. salt, plus more, to taste
4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3/4 cups half-and-half, heated
salt & pepper

 

Directions:

Put the potatoes and the 1 tsp. salt in a large pot, add water to cover the potatoes by 3 inches and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently cook the potatoes until they are tender when pierced with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well in a colander.

Place hot potatoes in the large bowl of a mixer.  Mix on medium low speed until potatoes are smooth.  Add butter and a little half and half at a time until your desired consistency is reached.  Add salt and pepper to taste.   Serve immediately. Serves 4-6

A good salad is always welcome.  This one is a favorite of ours and came from Ina Garten.  This is a wonderful winter salad with the best combination of flavors.

Winter Slaw

serves 4-6

adapted from: Make It Ahead a Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

4-5 cups chopped kale leaves
3-4 oz Brussels sprouts, trimmed halved and cored
1/4 small head of radicchio, cored
1 lemon, juice freshly squeezed 
1/4 cup good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 oz Parmesan cheese, shaved
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup toasted pecans

With a sharp chef's knife cut the kale, Brussels spouts, radicchio crosswise into thin shreds, as you would cut cabbage for coleslaw, and place them in a large bowl.

In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Pour enough dressing on the salad to just moisten it, reserving the rest.

Shave the Parmesan in big shards with a vegetable peeler.  Add the cheese, dried cranberries, and pecans to the salad and toss it carefully to avoid breaking up the cheese. Check for seasoning and add more vinaigrette if necessary, and serve cold or at room temperature.

Make it ahead:  Prepare the salad ingredients, store in plastic bags, and refrigerate for a day or two.  Make the vinaigrette and refrigerate for up to one day.  Toss together a few hours before serving.  

You always need something green on your plate and these Balsamic Glazed Green Beans are a winner!

Balsamic Glazed Green Beans 

serves 4-6


3/4 lb fresh green beans
1 T. butter
3 T. shallots, minced
2 T. garlic, minced
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
salt & pepper


Blanch 3/4 lb. of fresh green beans in boiling water for 4-5 minutes, until tender crisp.  Remove from water.  While beans are cooking melt 1 T. butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add 3 T. minced shallots and 2 T. of minced garlic.  Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.  Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing to thicken slightly.  Add green beans and toss to coat.  Serve.

You have to have something pumpkin for dessert. This dish is quicker and easier than making a pie.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cobbler

serves 6-8

2 eggs
1/2 15oz can of pumpkin
1/2 12 oz can of evaporated milk
1/2 c sugar
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 pkg of yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted  
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Beat eggs and mix in the next 7 ingredients.  Pour into an un-greased 8x8 pan.  Sprinkle the cake mix over the top and drizzle with the butter. Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove and sprinkle chopped nuts over the top. Bake another 15 minutes or until golden brown and top is set.