#Recipe More ways with Mustard

These recipes began life as part of quest to use locally produced goods in my recipes whilst at the same time peddling for some coverage (I am a “struggling artist” after all!) Using unexpected ingredients in unexpected places is something that I love doing- creating a talking piece as well as something delicious. The recipes here take mustard, an ingredient traditionally confined to the realms of condiment and served in unadulterated accompaniment with (mainly) savoury dishes and use it an ingredient in ways elevated beyond that of a cold cuts sidekick.

From the outset I wanted to include a “sweet” dish or bake in this bunch of recipes. The turnovers drew inspiration from that quintessential combination of pork, apple and mustard. What would happen if I removed the pork element of the dish? A juicy fruit pocket with a comforting earthy taste and slight sweetness. Lightly warm them and you have a great coffee break treat.

My cheese, herb & mustard biscuit recipe is my take on that stalwart recipe of any Canadian baker- the savoury biscuit. The flavour of the mustard adds a depth of flavour so that it’s like sampling the most perfect cheeseboard in each bite. By sheer coincidence (and luck?) they go very well with the last recipe for Dutch Mustard Soup.

This soup is based on a traditional soup from the Netherlands that I came across in the course of researching uses for mustard as an ingredient. Don’t be put off by the name. It is no way pungent or strong flavoured like you might imagine. The dairy elements of the soup give it a mildness and creaminess that help to highlight the mustard seeds flavours, without letting it take over.

Apple & Cranberry Turnovers

Makes 8

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup dried cranberries
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 cups chopped Granny Smith apple (peeled) (2-3 apples)
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1/4 cup Maple flavor mustard (I used Kozliks Amazing Maple)
• 1 lb puff pastry, thawed
• 1 large egg white
• sugar for sprinkling

Method

1. Melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat. Once melted add apples, sugars and mustard. Fry until apples are softened and other ingredients start to thicken. Remove from heat and cool
2. Line two baking trays with baking parchment
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F
4. Make an egg wash with one large egg white and 1 tablespoon of water by whisking them together
5. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out one sheet of puff pastry into a 12 x 10-inch rectangle. Cut the dough into four equal rectangles measuring 5 x 6 -inches each. Place 2-3 Tablespoons of cooled apple filling on one side of the rectangle and brush edges with egg wash. Fold the dough over the filling to make a 5 x 3-inch rectangle. Press to seal the edges and using a fork to crimp and seal the edges. Use a sharp knife to cut a few slits in the top of each hand pie for ventilation
6. Repeat with the second sheet pf pasty
7. Brush pies with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar
8. Place 4 turnovers on each baking tray
9. Bake for 15 before rotating trays and swapping shelves minutes. Bake for a further  or  minutes until golden brown and puffed up
10. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 20 mins before trying

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Cheese, Herb & Mustard Biscuits

Makes 12

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter cubed
• 1 cup strong cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons mustard (I used Kozliks Balsamic Fig & Date)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg

Method

1. Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
2. In bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until in coarse crumbs
3. In a separate jug whisk together the buttermilk, egg and mustard
4. Stir into flour mixture with fork to make soft dough

   With lightly floured hands, press dough into ball. On lightly floured surface, knead gently to a maximum of 10 times

5. Pat into 3/4-inch (2 cm) thick round. Using floured 2-1/2-inch (6 cm) round cutter, cut into rounds
6. Place on lined baking tray and bake in oven until golden, 12 to 15 minutes
7. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack

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Dutch Mustard Soup

Ingredients

• 4 ounces streaky bacon, chopped
• 2 TB unsalted butter
• 2 TB all-purpose flour
• 1 onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 4 TB coarse grain mustard (I used Kozliks Triple Crunch)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 ounces goat cheese
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock

Method

1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the bacon, and cook until the fat is rendered and the pieces are crispy. Once cooked, remove from pan and set aside, and drain pan of all bacon grease
2. In the same pan, add the butter and the onion. Melt the butter butter and saute the onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the flour and coat the onions, stirring until the flour is a cooked, about 2 minutes. Add the stock and mustard, and bring to a boil
3. Reduce the heat to medium and, using a stick blender, puree until smooth. Add the cream and the cheese and stir constantly until the cheese is melted and well incorporated
4. Top with a sprinkling of the bacon, and serve

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I’d like to state that although these recipes use Kozliks Canadian Mustard, this post was in no way paid for or sponsored by the people at Kozliks.

If you are interested in collaborating with me at Mr. Mom’s on a project, whether it’s food, baking, photography or writing,  you can contact me at chef@mrmoms.kitchen

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#Recipe S’mores Pecan Waffles

Brunch. That luxurious limbo land existing between breakfast and lunch which in North America is honoured with unsurpassed reverence. With the best of both worlds on offer (not to mention mimosas!) it’s position of high esteem in Canuck culiary ranking is deservedly so. I’ll hold my hands up in admission to that fact that I’m a complete pushover for the sweet offerings on a brunch menu. Waffles, pancakes and sweet baked goods will be my first port of call when brunching. Not for me your eggs benedict (no matter how tasty!) nor the omelette (despite your ovate goodness).

This recipe was a quick fix for hangry pangs one Saturday morning, conceived amid the aromas of a strong ristretto. I’m not going to lie and go all “holier than thou” in regards to the ingredients. The waffle batter is where the work lies and the finishing touches are store cupboard/ pantry items bought under the caveat of “Well you’ll never know when I might need it“. What follows I say in the complete spirit of bonhomie – if you’re one of the wellness brigade who’s going to bang how neglectful and unhealthy it is to use jars of sweet spreads…save it. It’s the weekend, not nearly enough caffeine has hit my bloodstream and my cats have been meowing since 6am. I need sweet indulgence and I need it STAT! This is not a plate I serve everyday- it’s a once-in-a-while treat to ease you into your weekend routine, a sublime reminder of the good things in life. If there’s one saying I live by it’s ” A little bit of what you fancy does you good“….well that and, “Celebrate the small things“.

Like  my other breakfast/ brunch recipe Christmas Morning Cinnamon Buns the bulk of this recipe can be made the night before and left to sit (covered) in the fridge until needed the following AM. A quick stir and you’re good to go and your kitchen will soon be wafting with the smell of freshly toasted waffles and marshmallows.

S’mores Pecan Waffles

Makes 4 waffle rounds (16 1/4 waffles)

• 2 eggs
• 1 tblspn fine sugar
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 4 tspn baking powder
• 2 1/4 cups milk
• 1/4 tspn salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tspn vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
• 3 tblspn chocolate spread eg Nutella
• 3 tblspn cookie butter spread
• 1 cup mini-marshmallows

Method

1. Preheat your waffle iron
2. In a bowl combine the eggs. flour, milk, vegetable oil, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla, and whisk just until smooth. Fold in the toasted pecans
3. If required spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Pour/ Laddle mix onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden brown. Remove and plate.
4. Whilst still warm spread the waffle with cookie butter, then spread with chocolate spread.
5. Scatter the top of the waffle with the mini marshmallows. Broil under a high setting or use a kitchen torch to toast the marshmallows until browned and crispy. *** If using the broil method DO NOT leave the waffles unattended. The marshmallows can be quick to catch and burn.
6. Once toasted serve and enjoy the gooey goodness!

 

 

 

 

 

#Christmas #Recipes Tidings of Comfort & Joy

And here we are our second Holiday season in Toronto, Canada. Thankfully this one is a LOT less hectic than last years’ where it wasn’t so much Rudolph & Co. dashing around as it was me, trying to get unpacked and set up in our new home. As you could imagine not much time was left for baking the traditional festive wares, never mind experimenting and trying out new recipes!

This year however I’ve allowed myself the pleasure of being ahead of the game. A slew of expected visitors may have something to do with that. As crazy as it sounds having the tree trimmed and house decorated in November DOES free you up to do so much more. Or at least plan it!

The last Christmas spent in the UK, I created some food gift hampers to gift to friends and included some of my favourite festive foods. “Twinkling” caramel sauce (subtly spiked with rum); Crunchy spiced cookies; Christmas cake (with the emphasis more on chocolate than fruit) to name a few. This got me thinking as to what I would gift this year if given the opportunity. The first three recipes here would make ideal food gifts for those nearest and dearest to you.

Biscotti make such a great alternative to the stalwart festive cookie. Enjoy their crunchy texture studded with roasted hazelnut and cranberries with a hot cup of coffee while you put your feet up, taking a break from the looming festive onslaught. Stollen has always been my preference to the traditional Christmas fruit cake- maybe the inclusion of sublime marizpan has something to do with it? Here I’ve omitted the usual mixed peel in favour of apricots and cranberries- for no reason other than I personally hate the stuff. I find it too bitty and chewy for my liking. Fudge has always been a favourite of mine. Smooth, creamy and sweet it never fails to warm me. Bringing my ever present twist to things I’ve added some liquid smoke to lend a subtle smokiness which works so well with  the maple flavour of the fudge. Finishing it off with a gentle sprinkling of Kosher salt gives it a lip-licking quality that sings of pure indulgence. Not to mention making the finished treat visually reminiscent of the coats of baby deer in winter snow.

The fourth recipe I’ve included is not so much a food gift for other people but rather for yourself. I  know too well how frenzied and manic Christmas morning can be so I wanted to make something that might help alleviate some of the culinary pressure of that time. Preparing them the evening before is a massive shortcut that helps no end on the big day. Packed full of filling and flavours of cinnamon, apples, cranberries and pecans  they’re an extra special treat that’s sure to get the day off to a wonderful start.

I do hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I have, both creating and tasting them, and I’d like to wish you and yours a wonderful, peaceful  holiday season and happy new year. (Wow! never thought I’d be writing that so soon!)

 

Hazelnut & Cranberry Chocolate Biscotti

Makes 20-24

• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 1 2/3 cups All-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa, unsweetened
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2/3 cups of hazelnuts (filbert) , toasted and roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• All-purpose flour for dusting

Method

1. Heat your oven to 150°C/300F
2. Line a baking tray with baking parchment and dust lightly with flour
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer with balloon whisk attachment,  beat the eggs with the sugar until pale and doubled in size.
4. Fold in the vanilla and almond extracts
5. Sift in the flour, cocoa and baking powder
6. Add in the nuts and fruits and fold thoroughly until the mixture comes together a dough
7. Tip out onto a lightly floured work surface and lightly roll out into a log shape. Divide the log into two, halfway along it’s length
8. Place the logs on the lined baking sheet and with your hands lightly flatten logs to approximately 40mm wide x 20mm high
9. Bake in your pre-heated oven for 12-15 minutes or until firm
10. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and leave to cool for 10 minutes. After this time cut the logs into slices (10-15mm thick) and  lay  them flat on a baking sheet (with cut-side uppermost) and bake again for 10-15 minutes or until crisp
11. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack
12. These can be kept for up to a week in an air-tight container

 

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Alternative Stollen

Makes 1

• 4 cups white bread flour
• 1/2 cup caster sugar
• 1 tablespoon fast action yeast
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 almond extract
• 2/3 cups almonds nibs
• 1 cup golden raisins
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 teaspoon dried orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon dried lemon zest
• 8 oz marzipan

To finish

• 1/4 stick butter, melted
• 2 tbsp icing (confectioners’)  sugar

Method

1. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment and lightly dust with bread flour. Set aside until needed
2. Put the flour and sugar in a stand mixer bowl and stir to combine. Add the yeast on one side of the bowl and the salt on the other
3. In a pan combine the milk, butter, lemon zest, orange zest and heat gently until the butter has melted. Remove from heat and set aside to cool and infuse. Stir occasionally to prevent the zests clumping
4. With the dough hook attached and on a medium speed, add the cooled milk/ butter liquid in a steady stream. Leave the machine to knead for 6 minutes until smooth and pliable
5. Whilst the dough is kneading, mix the nutmeg, cloves, vanilla and almond extracts, dried fruits and almond nibs together in a bowl
6. Remove the dough from the stand mixer bowl and place the dough on top of the fruit mixture and knead from the outside into the centre. When everything has been fully incorporated, return to the bowl, cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise for 1-1 ½  hours in a warm place, until doubled in size
7. Flatten the dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface to a rectangle about 45cm x 35cm. Shape the marzipan to about 25 x 15cm and place on top of the dough. Wrap the dough so it encloses the marzipan and place the full loaf on your prepared baking sheet, with the joining seam at the underside. Cover and leave to rise for 45mins – 1 hour until risen and doubled in size
8. Preheat the oven to 190C /375F and bake for 40mins. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Brush the baked loaf liberally with melted butter, and dust with icing sugar. Leave to cool completely before serving
9. This will keep for up to a week, wrapped and stored in an airtight container

 

 

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Salted Smoky Maple Pecan Fudge

Makes 36 pieces

• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
• 3 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) butter, chopped
• 1 cup icing (confectioners’) sugar
• 2 tablespoons pure Maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 1/2 cups pecan halves, roasted and roughly chopped
• Kosher Salt, to taste

Method

1. Line and butter an 8-inch square baking pan or silicone pan with baking parchment, allowing the parchment to extend over sides of pan
2. Mix the evaporated milk, brown sugar and butter in large saucepan. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture reaches 236°F on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage). (Be patient- this will take about 30 minutes. Also DO NOT leave it unattended!)
3. Remove from heat and pour into the bowl of a stand mixer. (Careful! The sides of the bowl will become VERY hot)
4. Add the icing sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract and liquid smoke and beat together with on low speed. Increase speed to medium; beat until thickened and smooth.
5. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and fold in the chopped pecans. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle the top of the fudge with kosher salt to your taste. (I usually use 2 good pinches, evenly sprinkled)
6. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm. Use baking parchment to lift out of pan onto cutting board.
7. Cut into 36 squares and enjoy!
8. If stored at room temperature this will keep for up to a week in an air-tight container, if stored in the fridge it will  last for up to two

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Christmas Morning Cinnamon Buns

Makes 12

For the dough

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, plus extra for greasing pan
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon dried orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon dried lemon zest
• 4 cups white bread flour
• 2 1/2 tablespoons caster sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tablespoon fast-action yeast
• 1 egg, beaten

For the filling

• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 3 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/3 cup fried cranberries
• 1 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
• 1 cup apple butter

For the glaze

• 2 cups icing (confectioners’) sugar
• 1/4 cup eggnog

Method

1. Put the milk, butter, cinnamon, orange zest and lemon zest in a small saucepan and heat very gently over the lowest available heat until the butter has melted. Set aside and leave it to cool to a lukewarm temperature
2. In a bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the flour and sugar. On one side of the bowl add the yeast, and on the opposite side add the salt
3. Into the flour bowl add the cooled milk/butter mix and the beaten egg.
4. With the dough hook attachment, knead this on medium for 8 minutes. It should become smooth, pliable and come together in a ball
5. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled, large bowl and cover tightly with lightly oiled cling film. Leave the dough to rise in a warm place for 1- 1 1/2hrs
6. Grease with butter a 23cm x 33cm high sided baking tin and set aside until needed
7. Prepare the filling by mixing together the brown sugar, cinnamon and softened butter in a bowl. Beat until well combined. Set aside until needed
8. When your dough has risen, tip it out into a lightly oiled surface and roll out to 40x50cm
9. To fill , spread the cinnamon butter (as evenly as you can) over the surface of the dough. Next spread the apple butter in an even layer. After this sprinkle on the dried cranberries. Once this is done, finally sprinkle on the chopped pecans
10. Starting at the long edge, roll the dough into a tight log shape
11. Trim the ends off the roll and then cut into 12 even pieces*
12. Arrange the rolls in a 3×4 formation (cut side up) in your prepared baking tin. Cover loosely with oiled cling film and pop into the fridge. Leave to slow-proof overnight
13. On the morning of baking, remove the tray of risen cinnamon rolls from the fridge 30 minutes prior to baking
14. Preheat your oven to 180C/350F
15. Bake the rested rolls in the oven for 30 mins. If the edges start to brown too soon, lightly cover the pan with foil
16. When baked, remove the rolls from the oven and set aside to cool while you prepare the glaze
17. To prepare the eggnog glaze, combine the icing sugar and eggnog in a bowl or jug. Whisk until well combined and smooth
18. Drizzle the glaze over the still-warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy

A word of warning- these are very sticky and moreish…unwrapping gifts at the same time is not recommended!

*To cut the cinnamon rolls I use a length of either dental floss or fish-line. Loop it around the dough log where you want to make the cut, pull in opposite directions and there! You have a perfectly cut cinnamon roll ready for baking. Failing this of course, feel free to use a knife!

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This post is dedicated to my mother, Anne, who passed away earlier this year. The lady who inspired a thousand cupcakes and so much more.

“But behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begins”

Mitch Albom

 

#Recipe #Pumpkin Patch Cookies

Following up on my previous post with three delicious ways to use this season’s favourite, the pumpkin, here a couple of other recipes in the form of the humble “cookie”. Snickerdoodles are everyone’s favourite. The addition of pumpkin elevates them to another level of seasonal Fall goodness.  Autumn in a cookie! With the oatmeal cookies you a a much more rustic baked treat. These are a handful (literally!) and you’ll be all the better for it! The combination of soft-baked oats, pumpkin and Autumnal spices just begs for a tall glass of milk!

The recipes are ideal for baking with the little ones, however as always leave the oven work to the grown-ups. Get them rolling, scooping, drizzling and in no time at all you’ll have some very happy little tummies.

I hope you have fun baking and wish you and your families a very happy Halloween full of spooky, fun-filled goodness!

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Cookie Dough

Makes 36

• 3 1/4 cups All-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground mixed spice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup salted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree (make sure it’s 100%)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Sugar Crust Coating

• 1/4 cup fine (caster) sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Method

• In a bowl combine the flour, cornstarch, cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and mixed spice. Mix until well combined
• In the bowl of a stand mixer (with paddle attachment), cream together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until combined. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl
• Mix in egg yolk, followed by pumpkin puree and vanilla extract.
• On a low speed,  add in dry ingredients (I usually do it a couple of heaped tablespoons at a time) then mix until combined.
• Remove the dough from the bowl, wrap in cling warp and chill in the refrigerator for 30- 60 minutes
• After the chilling time, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookie baking sheets with baking parchment
• In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup granulated sugar with 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon.
• Scoop dough out 2 tablespoons at a time and shape into a ball
• Roll the dough ball in cinnamon sugar mixture to evenly coat then transfer to prepared cookie sheets, spacing cookies 2-inches apart.
• Bake in preheated oven 14-16 minutes
• Remove and leave cool on baking sheet about 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely

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Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

For the cookies:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup Quick Oats
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 sticks  unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups pumpkin purée (make sure it’s 100%)

For the glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons Ice-wine syrup (optional)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line 2 cookie baking sheets with baking parchment paper
2. In a bowl combine the flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and nutmeg and mix until well combined
3. Place the butter and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat until lightened in color and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl
4. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on medium until incorporated
5. With the mixer on low speed, add half of the flour/oats mixture and mix until incorporated. Add half of the pumpkin puree and mix until incorporated. Repeat with the remaining flour/oats mixture and pumpkin puree
6. Using a 1/4 cup, drop scoops per baking sheet (approximately 6-8) spacing them 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Reserve the remaining dough until needed
7. Place both sheets in the oven and bake for 12 minutes. Rotate the pans from top to bottom and front to back and continue baking until the cookies are golden brown on the bottom and around the edges, about 12 minutes more
8. When baked remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Using a flat spatula, transfer the cookies to the wire racks to cool completely.
9. Repeat with the remaining dough (you can use the same parchment paper). Leave all the cookies to cool completely before glazing

 

For the glaze:

1. Place all of the glaze ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth
2. Place all of the cooled cookies on the baking parchment. Drizzle the glaze over the cookies in a pattern of your liking
3. Let the cookies sit at room temperature until the glaze has set, about 20 minutes

#Recipe #Pumpkin Three-ways

Let’s get one thing outta the way. I kinda love October…in a BIG way! New food becomes seasonal, leaves turn amazing colours and  the temperatures become a little bit more bearable. Oh and there’s Halloween! If you’re a Halloween-hater or nay-sayer then I’m afraid we can’t be friends. It just ain’t gonna happen. It’s become my family’s steadfast tradition at this point – December belongs to reindeer, candy canes and Father Christmas; October is ghosts, vampires and all things nocturnally unspeakable! The Season of The Witch reduces me to giddy school-kid levels of excitement and anticipation. The opening staccato of John Carpenter’s Halloween theme giving me bats in my tummy (you see what I did there?) In the space of a couple of days I’ll transform our house from a 2.4 family dwelling in to a suburban Gothic haven.

However enough about that- you’d didn’t come here to read of my penchant for ghouls, ghosts and creatures of the night. It’s impossible for me to think of October and Halloween without thinking of pumpkin. Image can be a powerful thing and as soon as the calendar turns to October 1st, scenes of those orange orbs of rustic goodness flood my brain- pumpkin patches; Jack O’Lanterns; pumpkin pies. So it only seems fitting to present to you some recipes as an homage to the humble Cucurbita Pepo. As always I try to give you something a little different not so much in the Pumpkin Pie variety of recipes! All of these recipes use canned pumpkin. I have enough labour what with all the carving and excavating of pumpkins for Jack O’Lanterns  so I try to avoid it in other areas. When using canned pumpkin be sure to use those which are 100% pure pumpkin puree.

Brown Butter & Tonka Bean Pumpkin Madeleines with

Chai Caramel Dipping Sauce

Madeleines

• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoon mixed spice
• 1 Tonka bean, grated
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

Caramel Sauce

• 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 1/4 cups cooking cream (35%)
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter, cubed and at room temperature
• 1 1/2 tablespoon chai spice mixture

To make the madeleines

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat two 12-shell madeleine pans with baking spray or cake release. (Or brush with melted butter and coat with flour, tapping out the excess flour)
2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is a brown color, It will now start to have a “nutty” smell. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool (You’ll notice small brown/black particles. Don’t worry these are all part of brown butter!)
3. In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, mixed spice and tonka bean. Mix to combine and set aside until needed.
4. In a stand mixer bowl add the eggs and sugar and with the whisk attachment mix on medium-high until the mixture is light in color, thick, and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the pumpkin puree and mix on slow until combined.
5. After removing the bowl from the mixer, fold in the flour mixture gently by hand. Once the flour is completely added, gently pour in the cooled melted butter and fold it into the mixture until completely incorporated. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to make sure no pockets of unmixed ingredients
6. Pour the madeleine batter into a large piping bag (fitted with plain circular nozzle, or snip the end of the bag off)
7. Fill the prepared trays with batter in each mould to 3/4 depth
8. Bake the madeleines for 10-12 minutes or until puffed and golden
9. Let cool in the pans for 5 minutes and then move to a wire rack

*Keep in an airtight container for up to for 2-3 days. The madeleines can also be frozen for up to 2 months and then reheated in the microwave or in a 350F oven before serving.

To make the dipping caramel

1. In a heavy-based saucepan combine the brown sugar and water. Heat until the sugar dissolves.
2. Increase the heat and allow the sugar mixture to deepen in color, approximately 240F (Soft Crack on sugar thermometer)

*excercise care in these next few steps!

1. Remove the saucepan with the melted sugar from the heat and add in the salted butter. Whisk briskly and carefully so that it melts and becomes incorporated into the sugar mixture. It may hiss and spit so please take care!
2. Next add the cream in a steady stream and stir to fully incorporate. Again take care at this point.
3. Stir in the chai spice mixture
4. Pour into the small ramekins or mini-milk bottles to serve with the pumpkin madeleines

*The final caramel sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks in your refrigerator. I find it’s best if removed from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving to allow it the return to full “saucy goodness”. If you prefer it warmed, heat in a microwavable container in 10-15 second bursts until it at desired temperature

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Cinnamon Cheesecake stuffed Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf

Pumpkin Loaf

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground gloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups (caster) sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups pumpkin purée
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Cinnamon Cheesecake Filling

• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup (caster) sugar
• 4oz Philadelphia cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

To make the cheesecake filling

1. In a bowl beat together the filling ingredients until fully combined and smooth
2. Transfer to a piping bag and set aside until needed

To make the pumpkin loaf

1. Preheat your oven to 325F.
2. Prepare two 1lb loaf tines with cake release or grease with butter
3. In a bowl sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and spices
4. In a stand mixer combine the sugar, butter and eggs and mix for at least 10 mins
5. Add in the pumpkin puree and mix on slow until just combined
6. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add in the flour mixture by heaped tablespoon at a time. Keep  the mixer going until just combined – make sure there are no white flour pockets. Scrape down the sides of the bowl at regular intervals
7. Remove the bowl and fold in the chocolate chips
8. Pour the mixture equally between the two prepared tins to 1/2 level
9. Pipe a stripe of cheesecake mixture from the piping bag into each tine. Ensure that the cheesecake mixture doesn’t touch the sides of the loaf tin
10. Once all the cheesecake mixture has been used, use the remaining pumpkin batter to fill up the loaf tins. Level the tops of the mixture
11. Bake in the oven for 60-70mins until a skewer comes out clean
12. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool in the tins until fully cooled. When cool wrap in clingfilm until needed

*These loaves get better over time- after a couple of days wrapped they develop a fudgy, sticky texture.

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Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups golden brown sugar
• 3/4 stick unsalted butter
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons ice-wine syrup
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside until needed
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed, mix together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 10 mins)
3. Add the egg, vanilla, ice-wine syrup, pumpkin puree and continue to mix until well combined
4. Add the flour mixture a heaped tablespoon at a time until well combined, with your mixer set to low. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Remove the fully mixed cookie dough from the bowl, divide into two and wrap in cling-wrap. Refrigerate the dough for at least two hours or preferably overnight
6. When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350F, line two cookie trays with baking parchment, and dust a work surface with confectioners (icing) sugar)
7. Remove one of the batches of dough from the fridge and on the dusted work surface, roll to a thickness of 4-6mm. Cut out shapes using dusted cutter cutters. Lift the cookies with a spatula or palette knife and place on the lined cookie sheets.
8. Bake for 15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking. I find it works best baking them a tray at a time, so that whilst one tray is in the oven you can cut and place the cookies for the second tray
9. When baked remove the tray from the oven and let cool for 1 or 2 minutes before again using a spatula or palette knife transfer the baked cookies to racks to cool. Be aware that the baked cookies will be soft but they will firm up upon cooling

*The cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to a week.

There you have it- three wonderfully, tasty ways to use the season’s stalwart staple…and not a pumpkin spice latte in sight. Enjoy!

Wishing you and yours a Happy Thankgiving and a sookily fun and safe Halloween from here in The Kitchen.