everybody's talking 'bout---pumpkin! - 10/09

pumpkin lattes. pumpkin creamer. pumpkin flavored pastries. everywhere you turn it's pumpkin-palooza, right? and you LOVE it, non?! now in a week or two, you'll have moved on to peppermint mochas and the like, but for now maybe you're wondering how to save the $8 you just spent at the coffee shop on that latte and pumpkin bread...okay, I AM. (i keep telling myself ONCE A WEEK TREAT...and it ends up being three)

i horded several cans of pumpkin and wanted to know EASY things I could do with it besides pie. and preferably that i had the ingredients for. enter www.verybestbaking.com where there are, no lie, HUNDREDS of recipes using brands like Nestle and Libby's pumpkin. i cruised around until i found some "no shopping required" recipes and loved these results.

First, pumpkin spice quick bread.

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup canned pumpkin

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease 9x5-inch loaf pan.

COMBINE flour, pumpkin, brown sugar, butter, eggs, spice, baking soda, salt and baking powder in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often for 1 to 2 minutes until well mixed. Spoon batter into prepared pan.

BAKE for 45 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.

*Substitute 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/4 teaspoon each ground nutmeg and ground cloves for pumpkin pie spice.

i added about a cup of chocolate chips, added some extra spices (suggested by reviewers on the site) and it was DIVINE. easy peasy!









what to do with the rest of that pumpkin? how about a pumpkin latte?

Ingredients

• 1 cup strong coffee


• 2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz. can) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Fat Free Milk (I'm sure you could use regular milk)


• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin


• 1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar


• 1/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon

Directions

COMBINE coffee, evaporated milk, pumpkin, sugar and pumpkin pie spice in 2-cup microwave-safe glass measure or small saucepan. Heat until very hot (if using stove, use medium-low heat and stir occasionally). Carefully pour into mugs. makes 2 servings.

i followed the online tip and transferred the hot mixture into a blender to get that foamy top. be careful and cover the lid with a towel! hot things + blender = messy!

my only complaint was it wans't very sweet. i added a teaspoon of honey for sweetness.

and YOU? any pumpkin cooking these days?

what are the fall favorite treats around your house?