A new take on Pumpkin

Pumpkin Muffins, the very best indeed. So when we were at the pumpkin patch picking our that special pumpkin to carve we were told to fill up a bag with as many mini pumpkins we would like. Being that is was only one more day left until Halloween they were trying to find a way to get them off their hands. I gladly filled my bag so that it could barely close thinking of how I could add these to my fall decor, imagining how they would look sitting in a white bowl placed on my island. After chatting with the owner of the farm for a bit she gave me the idea to cook pumpkin muffins in hollowed out mini pumpkins. I was excited to try and it was a success twice over. I like those kind of recipes that are consistently successful. The best part is that as far as muffins go these ones are pretty tasty and decently healthy. I also used pumpkin puree made from our roasted pumpkin. I have never had pumpkin puree turn out so well.

I decided to document the pumpkin muffin attempt on my iphone and was pleased with how the pictures turned out.

Here is the recipe I used copied from this site.

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) whole wheat flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) packed brown sugar or granulated sugar
• 2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) nutmeg
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) milk
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) pumpkin purée
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup (150 mL) seedless raisins

Preparation

Whisk or stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; set aside.

In large bowl, beat egg until foamy. Beat in milk, pumpkin and oil. Sprinkle first with flour mixture, then raisins. With wooden spoon, stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon into 12 lined or greased muffin cups, filling each no more than three-quarters full.

Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for about 25 minutes or until muffins have peaked in centre and are golden brown. Remove from pans and let cool on rack. Turn out muffins and carefully peel off paper liners if using.

Instead of cooking them in muffin liners I used hollowed out mini pumpkins and cooked then for the same time and temperature.

The remainder of October

What else did October have in store well...

One weekend took us up to Rockridge Retreat Center in Princeton.  I helped organize a getaway retreat for 60 of our young adult members.  It was a restful weekend that included shooting stars. The drive home and the potential threat of my car stalling was not restful

Halloween weekend we found ourselves in Whistler.  During the Canucks playoffs my family and boyfriend won 5 vouchers to stay at a hotel in Whistler.  You had to be the one of the first three callers in with the number of the player who scored the Canucks winning goal if they won.  That number equalled how much you would pay for one night stay at the hotel.  Thank you Burrows.  Parking our car in the underground lot cost more that our room.  Finally pumpkin carving. 

Self-portrait and a Thankful Heart

We are only halfway into this month and I have so many highlights already. Strolling down old Fort Langly during the Cranberry Festival. This is our second year in a row and I am positive it won't be our last. There is so much to take in; the foods, the smells, the handmade items, the antiques, and of course the people. Bought 4 pounds of fresh cranberries and plan on baking with them. Spent thanksgiving weekend traveling to three different dinners and yes all of them included turkey and stuffing. I am truly blessed to have a great and loving family who loves to spend time together. I am blessed with friends who are welcomed into the family and feel like they belong. I am blessed with a boyfriend who enjoys good food, cooking good food, and good company. Kayaked in the pouring rain with my boyfriend and cousin from out of town. We had a really great adventure and when you are prepared and dressed for the weather anything can be fun. Tackled the 2.5 hour challenging high ropes course in Maple Ridge at WildPlay. I love these types of adventures. It was worth the Groupon purchase. Hiked the Baden Powell Trail in Deep Cove to the lookout were we were graced with natures beauty. Played Rumoli and laughed the entire game. Laughing like that is good for the soul and I thoroughly enjoyed the time together with my siblings and friends. October what else do you have in store? I can't wait!

Beware

Pumpkin Time

Pumpkins, another medium where one gets to express their creative side.
Looking forward to....
...dressing up as a fisherman.... hip waiters included.
...fireworks hosted by the neighbours
...making my students search for pennies amongst pumpkin guts...blindfolded
...watching my students flaunt the runway in the mummy garbs
...eating chocolate bars

Have a safe and fun Halloween.

Love these picture right now