Punkin' Time

I am not even going to attempt to tell you just how important pumpkin was, and is, the New Englanders. Let me just begin by giving you just a smidgen of the pumpkin recipes I have in my library for you to look over for your next gathering. Let's begin!

Pumpkin-Cinnamon Streusel Rolls

These cinnamon roll-like treats create a type of caramelized glaze both on top and on bottom with a sweet crunch in the middle of every bite. When combined with the great flavor of a pumpkin streusel pie I think this will quickly replace the classic cinnamon rolls so often loved. Want to serve this up on your Holiday morning? Simply coat the top of each roll that has been placed in the muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray, loosely cover with film wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, crank the oven and bake!

Dough:
1/2 cup warm milk
3 tablespoons molasses
1/4 cup sugar(see NOTE)
1(.25-ounce)pkg. dry yeast
3/4 cup canned pure pumpkin
4 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups flour
Nonstick cooking spray
Streusel:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2-2 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup your favorite maple syrup
Glaze:(For thinner glaze, add additional water)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla

Add milk, molasses and sugar to a large mixing bowl, whisking until well combined. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let sit for 10 minutes, or until frothing. Add pumpkin, butter, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg, beating until smooth. Add flour all at once and continue beating, on low speed, until all the flour has been incorporated. (Unlike regular bread dough, this dough will not leave the sides of the bowl, it should be very soft).
Cover and let sit on the counter in a warm spot of your kitchen until about double in bulk.
Liberally grease a 6-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. You can also use a mini muffin pan as well, just cut each roll half the thickness as described below.
In a bowl, combine streusel ingredients(except maple syrup) and mix with a fork until even in color and texture.
Liberally flour a work surface and empty out bowl of dough. Knead dough, bringing up the sides and folding it into itself for about 2 minutes, until it is no longer sticky. Add more flour as you knead and use a dough knife if needed as well.
Roll out dough to about 16-inches in length to 10-inches wide. Spread maple syrup to within an inch of all sides. Sprinkle streusel evenly over the top, to within an inch of the sides. Start rolling tightly from the long end in front of you, ending with the seam-side down. Cut into 6 equal-sized slices and place each into greased cups of muffin tin.
Set aside to rise once again to about 50% larger in volume. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F and bake rolls for 25 minutes, or until when pressed toward the center, it bounces back and the top is crisp.
While rolls are baking, prepare glaze by mixing powdered sugar, water and vanilla together until smooth; set aside.
Remove from oven to cool slightly before running a knife around the edges to loosen. Lift each out to glaze while hot and serve.


NOTE: If you don't have molasses, simply substitute 2/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed.

Pumpkin Corn Pudding

I know...right?! Seems odd that summer and fall are almost behind us and now we are thinking of the Holidays. These would make the perfect side dish for your big ol' turkey this year and these mini pumpkins are ready now in stores and orchards and road-side stands everywhere.

6 mini pumpkins(about 8 ounces each)
1 chipotle or other hot pepper
1 small onion, minced
1/2(10-ounce)pkg. frozen corn, thawed
1/2(10-ounce)pkg. frozen sliced carrots, thawed
3-4 ounces spicy ham, such as pancetta
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon dried, crushed or rubbed sage
1 1/2 cups milk
4 eggs
Salt and black pepper to taste

Cut the top from each pumpkin and scoop out all seeds and membranes with a spoon. Add a couple tablespoons water in each, place the lids back on and microwave, separately, for 1 minute. Test by pressing against the sides. If you need more time before they are just tender enough to give, microwave 30 seconds at a time until done. Let each cool enough to handle before continuing.
Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. In a bowl, whisk together milk and eggs, setting aside. Cut in half, remove stem, deseed and mince hot pepper; set aside. Dice carrots small. In a large skillet, mix onion, corn, carrots, butter, minced hot pepper, sage, salt and pepper together well. Over medium high heat, cook until everything is starting to brown while stirring frequently, about 10 minutes.
Place hollowed out pumpkins on a very lightly greased baking pan and evenly divide corn mixture into each pumpkin, leaving 1 cup aside. Place tops of each pumpkin alongside each filled pumpkin and bake about 20-30 minutes, or until each pumpkin is soft but not starting to cave in or droop. Remove from oven and serve, with the additional corn mixture evenly topping each, reheating if needed. Serve with pumpkin tops.

Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Cream Bread

This truly is the most moist sweet bread recipe around. The added touch of cinnamon/maple swirl in the center just sends the taste off the edge. After eating this entire loaf among me and the kids, honest to goodness nobody had one single crumb on their plates.

Nonstick cooking spray
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup your favorite eggnog
1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin(not spiced)
3 tablespoons cinnamon, divided
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup

Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Grease a 9-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
In a large bowl and using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar on high speed until well combined. It may not be smooth because I cut back on the butter, but if it resembles crumbs, that is perfect.
Add eggs and beat well. Add eggnog, pumpkin, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, baking soda and nutmeg. Continue beating, on low speed, until everything is evenly blended. Add flour all at once and beat until it just comes together.
In a separate, smaller bowl, mix together granulated sugar, remainder of cinnamon with maple syrup until well blended.
Pour half the bread batter into prepared pan. Drizzle maple mixture right down the center(it will be think) and add remaining batter over the top. Lift up a couple inches from the counter and drop a couple times to remove air bubbles. Bake 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until when touched in the center, it bounces back. Make sure you put a larger sheet pan underneath the loaf pan to catch any maple mixture that may bubble up over the sides.
Remove from oven, loosen the sides with a butter knife and let cool enough to transfer to a platter.

Harvest Time Pumpkin Cornbread

A great cornbread that truly showcases the flavors of our grandparents and far beyond. This recipe reminds me so much of Baked Indian Pudding, but with the classic texture of brittle(but not too brittle)corn bread. This is one of those rare bread recipes that you can substitute gluten free flour to without negatively affecting the texture. This is a keeper.


Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup Golden eggnog *
1 cup pure pumpkin
1/2 cup molasses

Preheat oven to 375-degrees F. Grease a 9-10-inch oven safe skillet(cast iron is, of course, the best) with a liberal amount of nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Add eggnog, pumpkin and molasses, stirring very well. It does not need to be lump free.
Pour into prepared skillet and back 44-46 minutes, or until cracked on top and when pressed in the center, it pops back up. Remove from oven to cool slightly before cutting into wedges to serve warm.
* Vanilla eggnog is excellent here as well, or even try caramel flavored eggnog.

Punkin' Custard 'Pie' with Apple-Pecan Crunch

Not quite a pie, not quite a custard. This deliciously moist dessert is light, airy and bursting with that warm, 'cuddly' taste, if that makes sense. There is just something about the smell of pumpkin cooking that instantly puts a smile on your face, and this treat will put a smile on even that one relative that is a little hard to crack.
4 mini pumpkins
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon apple jelly
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped, dry roasted nuts of your choice
1 cup solid pack pumpkin
4 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Cut off the stem end of each pumpkin, about a quarter of the way down. With a spoon, scoop out stringy flesh and seeds; set aside. In a small bowl, add apple jelly and microwave for 15 seconds, or until hot. Remove, add lemon juice and whisk smooth. Scoop out 1 tablespoon of jelly to another small bowl and stir in the chopped nuts, mixing well; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin, remainder of melted apple jelly, eggs and pumpkin pie spice. Evenly divide among the hollowed out pumpkins. Place on a pan and gently sprinkle prepared nuts on top of each so that they don't immediately sink into batter. It is fine if some do, they will rise back up as they are in the oven. Bake 50-55 minutes, or until the filling has puffed up and is firm to the touch.
Remove from oven to cool 5 minutes before serving. Or if desired, refrigerate completely before serving.

Spicy Pumpkin Chili   

Not too spicy, not too mild. The sweet taste of pumpkin works well to tone down any heat, but if it is fire that you want, simply mince a couple hot peppers and cook along with the onions and bell peppers. Dollop some sour cream on top and sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese if desired.

2 teaspoons oil
1 small onion, peeled and minced
1 small green bell pepper, seeded and minced
1 pound ground chicken or turkey
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1(15-ounce)can white beans, drained
1 cup whole kernel corn
1(15-ounce)can diced tomatoes in juice
1(15-ounce)can tomato sauce or puree
1(15-ounce)can packed pumpkin
Salt and black pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, add oil. When oil is hot, add onion and bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add chicken, continuing to cook until chicken is thoroughly cooked through, stirring frequently to break up. Add remainder of ingredients, stir to combine and reduce heat to low. Partially cover and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Serve hot. 
About 5 good sized servings

Doodle Pop Cake 

Anyone remember the childrens show Doodle Bops? My children loved it! So this cake is now a standard in my home not only in title but because the flavor is reminiscent of a Snickerdoodle cookie as well, of which every child loves. A softly scented cake that can just be grabbed by a childs hands and eaten.....of course you may want to follow them with a vacuum.

Butter-flavored, nonstick cooking spray
1/2 stick(1/4-cup) butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup applesauce
3/4 cup pumpkin
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Topping:
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Grease a 9-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. With an electric mixer, beat butter  with brown sugar until blended well. Add applesauce, pumpkin, egg and vanilla, continuing to beat until thoroughly mixed.
In a separate bowl, blend flour, spices and baking soda. Slowly add to batter, beating well.
Pour into prepared pan and bake 26-28 minutes, or until it springs back when touched in the center. Remove from oven and set aside while in pan.
Spray the top of the cake lightly with cooking spray while hot. In a small bowl, blend sugar and cinnamon for the topping and evenly sprinkle over the cake. Let cake cool to serve.

New England-Style Waldorf Salad

Ordinarily, and classically, Waldorf Salad would have grapes but I think the tang of cranberries that have been plumped up with grape juice brings this recipe to a whole new level. And when lemon curd is added and this perfect Holiday side dish and presented in a mini pumpkin, you will be handing out this recipe to everyone who asks......or will you just keep it in the family?

3 mini pumpkins
1/2 cup 100% grape juice
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup golden raisins
2 apples
1/2 cup lemon curd
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon Chinese 5-spice powder
2 tablespoons minced celery
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, pecans or slivered almonds
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Cut the stem ends of each pumpkin off. With a spoon, dig out stringy flesh and seeds; set aside. Place grape juice, cranberries and raisins in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 30 minutes.
When ready, peel, core and dice apple to equal about 2 cups total; set aside. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon curd, mayonnaise and Chinese 5-spice powder; set aside. Strain cranberries and raisins if all the liquid has not been absorbed and discard any remaining liquid. Add to a bowl with apple, celery, walnuts and mayonnaise mixture. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before evenly dividing among the prepared pumpkins and serving cold.

The Best Jefferson Davis Pie 

Jefferson Davis has been punked......with 'punkin, that is! Want a great, timeless Southern pie with a Yankee influence that tastes exactly like a "punkin' chip cookie? Both North and South are equally represented here in a dessert that is outrageously good. Classically, Jefferson Davis Pie is made with egg yolks but replacing them with egg substitute works equally as well. Go ahead and use 4 egg yolks and 2 whole eggs if desired.

Shortbread Crust:
2 cups shortbread cookie crumbs or crushed vanilla waters
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
Filling:
1/2 stick(1/4 cup)butter or margarine, room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup egg substitute
4 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1/2 cup chocolate chips *
3/4 cup canned pumpkin

Preheat oven to 325-degrees F. In a bowl, combine cookie crumbs with melted butter. Transfer to a 9-inch pie pan and press against the bottom and up the sides; set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add egg substitute, pumpkin and vanilla, continuing to beat on high until well incorporated. Reduce speed to low and beat in flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Using a spoon or rubber spatula, fold in the raisins and chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pie shell and bake 32-34 minutes, or until the center is firm to the touch. Remove from oven to cool slightly before serving. This pie is even better cold.

* To stay as close to original as possible, substitute the chocolate chips for chopped, dried apricots, chopped dates or even some candied fruit for the Holidays.

Festive and Easy Cakes

As much as I hate to admit it, it IS time to think about Thanksgiving and Christmas. And with those shopping thoughts come eating thoughts. And with eating thoughts, come cooking thoughts. And with cooking thoughts, come "How can I make something different without spending a lot of time in the kitchen and at the same time, keep the budget in check?"

Well, the first thing that came to mind were cookies, to be honest. Sugar cookies and Snickerdoodles have graced New England tables for centuries but I really didn't want to go that route. So how about some recipes that encompasses cookies and cakes? PERFECT!!!!!!

　

Nutella Cookie Crunch Cake

 

I am hesitant about using the name Nutella because it IS a brand, but one taste of that deliciously creamy spread and I was hooked. It wasn't long before I made one of the best coffee cake-like desserts using this hazelnut spread. This recipe is a sugar cookie dough with an additional egg. You will adore the crispy topping, as will the super easy preparation.

　
Nonstick cooking spray
1 stick(1/2-cup) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon each baking powder and soda
1/2 cup hazelnut chocolate spread, melted
Topping:
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon melted butter

　
Grease a 9-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until very smooth with an electric mixer. Add eggs and vanilla, continuing to beat until smooth once again.

In another bowl, blend the flour with the baking powder and baking soda. Add to butter mixture and beat until well mixed. It will be thick. Transfer dough to prepared cake pan.

Microwave nutella for about 30 seconds, removing to stir until creamy and thinned out. If more time is needed for it to completely melt, heat in 15 second increments. Heavily drizzle over the top, running a butter knife into the batter, creating a somewhat marbling effect and slightly combining the nutella with batter.

Meanwhile for the topping, mix sugar, cinnamon and butter with a fork until evenly colored and blended. Sprinkle over the top of the cake and bake 24 minutes. The center will feel very doughy and undone, but that is the effect we want.

Remove from oven to cool before serving. Add additional melted nutella over the top if desired.

　

Doodle Pop Cake

 

Anyone remember the children's show Doodle Bops? My children love it! So this cake is now a standard in my home not only in title but because the flavor is reminiscent of a Snickerdoodle cookie as well, of which every child loves. A softly scented cake that can just be grabbed by a child's hands and eaten.....of course you may want to follow them with a vacuum.

　
Butter-flavored, nonstick cooking spray
1 stick(1/2-cup) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup pumpkin
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Topping:
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

　

Grease a 9-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. With an electric mixer, beat butter with brown sugar until blended well. Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla, continuing to beat until thoroughly mixed.

In a separate bowl, blend flour, spices and baking soda. Slowly add to batter, beating well.

Pour into prepared pan and bake 26-28 minutes, or until it springs back when touched in the center. Remove from oven and set aside while in pan.

Spray the top of the cake lightly with cooking spray while hot. In a small bowl, blend sugar and cinnamon for the topping and evenly sprinkle over the cake. Let cake cool to serve.

　

A Cake with a Crust

Lets talk coconut flour for a moment. Many people opt for coconut flour because they are on a certain restrictive diet that prevents them from ingesting gluten. Fortunately, there is such a wide range of substitutions available, and easily attainable, it is getting easier and much more enjoyable for those of you seeking just such a change. But there is a downside of using any wheat substitution in desserts, and baking in particular. Dryness, reduced structural integrity and other substantive faults. That is why when using any gluten-free flours, you shouldn't use a complete replacement in many recipes, especially baked goods......until now!

I wanted to create a recipe, again, that used gluten-free flour in a cake but not diminish any negative aspects of a complete substitution, yet added SOMETHING to the overall taste. And I succeeded. Not only succeeded, but excelled. This cake would not be the same if I had used any other type of gluten-free flour because you can actually taste the coconut flavor in this flour. What is coconut flour?

nuts.com

Simply put, it is the last remnants of the coconut meat after the milk has been extracted from it. This is dried and ground to a fine powder that has almost supernatural absorption powers. Honestly, this stuff will soak in almost twice the amount of liquid than any other flour. There are pros and cons to this. The pro portion is that coconut flour makes a superb coating for fish or chicken when grilled or fried. The downside of using this flour is that many professional chefs and bakers double the amount of liquid in any given recipe it is used in, especially eggs. And the addition of extra eggs doesn't sit very well with many people, including yours truly.

I have found although, for example, if a cake recipe uses 2 eggs and any wheat flour, by substituting a 1/2-cup coconut flour, you don't need to add that extra egg. Use 1/4 cup buttermilk instead. This works out perfectly without adding even more cholesterol to your diet.

I have only given you the tip of the iceberg with regards to coconut flour. I highly suggest you take a peak here and find out more about this super versatile and ultra tasty flour. By the way, while you are there, take a looksy at their dried fruits and nuts. I placed my order this morning for some candied and dried goodies and I think once you spy the chocolate, you will be ordering to from nuts.com, New England's best and most informative website that indulges, yet cares. A perfect combination that defines us Yankees. Am I being compensated for this post? No! Am I touting yet another great New England company? Oh yeah! And by the way, all the links I have added are completely safe. Just a great way to say hi to a neighbor.

It's Just That Simple!™

　

　

Italian-Yankee Corn Cake

(And it's gluten-free!*)

This perfectly sweetened cake creates its own type of crust around the edges that crisp up as it cools, transforming it into a toss between a cake and a pie actually. It is recommended to slice it into segments before refrigerating, otherwise the caramelized crust will be next to impossible to cut. Classical Italian Corn Cake uses almond extract, but vanilla works equally as well if desired.

　
Nonstick cooking spray
Crisp Topping:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
2 tablespoons coconut flour 1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups small dice apple
2 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
3/4 cup cornmeal
3/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
Juice from 1 lemon
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries

　

Grease a 9-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Mix topping ingredients together until thoroughly combined; set aside. In a bowl, combine diced apple, orange juice and cinnamon; set aside. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. In a medium-sized bowl, blend cornmeal, coconut flour, sugar and baking powder until well blended. Stir in the milk, eggs, lemon juice and melted butter. It should be mixed just enough to wet all ingredients, leaving it somewhat lumpy. Fold in the raisins and transfer to prepared pan, leveling out the top. Evenly divide apple mixture, juice and all, on top of batter. Sprinkle topping mixture evenly over the apples and bake 36-38 minutes, or until the center of the cake is firm. Immediately remove from oven to cool slightly before serving hot, or cover and refrigerate to serve cold.

* But as I say with all gluten-free recipes and products, always ALAYS check the label.

 

Spice Cake, Move Over!!!

The flavor of this cake is far and above better tasting than Spice Cake and I think you will agree that it will quickly be a family favorite.

Depression Cake was a popular treat during, of course, the Depression era here in the U.S.. It didn't include eggs, butter and milk because these were rationed and expensive during this time. On the same hand, apples were abundant, cheap and used excessively. We all know us Yankees have been using apples in every aspect of home life since the Puritan era anyway, so it was only a given that we incorporate this natural sweetener, along with New England maple syrup, into this delicious cake.

The topping of boiled raisins actually far predates this cake, back to a little earlier than the Civil War, with the Boiled Raisin Cake being popular. You will notice, as well, that there is no other leavening agent other than a pinch of baking soda. You won't believe the reaction of soda and vinegar in this recipe. This cake is higher than if you used baking powder or eggs. And the texture is out of this world, not to mention the taste.

　

Rum-Raisin Depression Cake

　

1/2 cup raisins
3 cups apple juice or cider
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup crushed graham crackers
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 c vegetable oil
2 teaspoons rum extract*
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/3 cups apple sauce

　

Make Spiced Raisin Sauce by boiling raisins, apple juice and cloves in a medium saucepan over medium heat for 15 minutes, adding more if needed to keep liquid just above raisins. Remove, stir in lemon juice and transfer to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Spray a 9-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a large bowl, add flour, graham crackers, sugar, baking soda and cinnamon; mix well. Add apple sauce, maple syrup, oil, vanilla and vinegar, stirring into the flour mixture until just combined. Pour into prepared pan and bake 36-38 minutes, or until nicely browned on top and it springs back when touched in the middle. Remove from oven to cool slightly before transferring to a plate or serving platter.

Remove Spiced Raisin Sauce from refrigerator, stir to combine and serve over cake to serve. Add whipped topping if desired. This cake is also great serving right out oven and warming raisin sauce before spooning over cake slices.

*Substitute vanilla or almond extract if desired. Old recipes for this cake often included alcoholic rum and you desire to use this, simply replace a 1/4 cup dark or flavored rum for a 1/4 cup of the maple syrup.

Yanked Old-time Favorites

I have always wanted to spend just a little time and rework some of the old recipes our fore=families enjoyed so many generations ago. Of course, the supermarkets carry such a wide array of international treats now that we don't often think back to the day when all desserts and treats were made at home. And not to mention that as far back as the 17th century here in New England, fresh fruits were a rarity, unless you or your neighbors grew them. Dried figs, currants, raisins and plums were abundant because they stored well on the voyage from Mother England to New England.
We were content with these naturally sweet fruits and used them all year round in every conceivable recipe. When the Holidays rolled around, us Yankees simply incorporated these dried fruits in a special preparation, such as Plum Pudding and Whips.
Although there is not much you can do in the way of the visual appeal of dried plums, I have taken privileges with these classics and hopefully revamped them for your enjoyment today. I think you will fall in love with the following recipes and not only taste what our ancestors enjoyed but with a whole new flavor to boot.



Cheers to Plum Pudding

My take on this timeless classic that our fore-families enjoyed during the Yuletide season. Plum Pudding has received a bad rap the past couple of generations because of its unappealing look and almost bland, but sweet, flavor. Because our ancestors lacked the array of flavors so widely available today(much like when I was a child, we enjoyed homemade treats more than store brand sweets), they were content with any sweet that could be prepared at home. So, using a little Yankee ingenuity, this age-old dessert has no lack of flavor and can now be enjoyed yet again, gracing our Holiday tables with a twist.

Nonstick cooking spray
2 cups milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup pitted dried plums(prunes)
1(10-ounce)jar cherries without stems, in syrup
1/2 cup dark or flavored rum, or 2 teaspoons rum, almond or vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
5 eggs, beaten
4 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups flour
Whipped topping or ice cream if desired

　

Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Spray a 9-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a blender or food processor, pulse milk, sugar, dried plums, cherries(with the syrup), rum, lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg until well blended and the plums have been reduced to very small bits. Transfer to a bowl, and stir in the beaten eggs and melted butter. Stir in the flour until well incorporated and almost lump free. Pour in prepared pan and bake 35-37 minutes, or until the middle is set and the edges spring back when touched. Remove from oven to cool slightly before serving with whipped topping. This is great completely cooled as well.



Dried Plum-Cherry "Jam"

This amazingly sweet spread is perfect on your morning bagels, English muffins or sweet muffins. By heating up a mixture of 2 cups apple cider or juice, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons lemon juice, it makes a terrific glaze and sauce for your baked ham this Christmas.

1 cup pitted, dried plums(prunes)
1(10-ounce)jar whole cherries in juice, without stems
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

Add all ingredients to a blender and pulse on high until it has been minced, but not pureed. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, it will be thick, so give it a stir and enjoy. 

Sugar Plum-berry Whip

Talk about taking a trip back in time. My grandfather, the first Yankee Chef, made Prune Whip in the early 20s because it was THE dessert of the time. Little did he know that, although great tasting in its own right, the third Yankee Chef would Yank his recipe so that today's palate can enjoy this forgotten, creamy, mousse-like whip. The tang of pomegranate is just what this recipe needed to spark the sweet desire even in children.

1(9-ounce) box or bag of pitted, dried plums(prunes)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
2 cups heavy cream, divided
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon both nutmeg and dried ginger
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Place plums, honey and pomegranate juice to the bowl of a food processor or blender and pulse until the size of rice. Transfer to a medium saucepan with 1 cup heavy cream and spices. Bring close to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring almost constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat to completely cool in refrigerator, about 2 hours. Meanwhile, beat 1 cup heavy cream until soft peaks form. Slowly add 1/2 cup sugar while beating, until stiff peaks form. Fold the whipped cream to the cooled pomegranate mixture, along with the vanilla. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.



Sweet Holiday Plums

I truly believe that these plums will be dancing in your head once you try them. Of course, for grown-ups only, the mingling of apple and chocolate liqueur simply livens up the natural sweetness of the plums and is a perfect accompaniment to your spiked egg nog or other Holiday cheer. Please remember that if you are using an open flame gas burner, be extra cautious so that the alcohol doesn't flame up on you.

1 cup dried, pitted plums(prunes)
2 ounces creme de cacao or other chocolate liqueur*
2 ounces Calvados, Apple Jack or other apple liqueur
4 ounces dark or milk chocolate chips
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 ounces white morsels

　

In a saucepan, combine plums, creme de cacao and Calvados, tossing well. Bring to scalding over medium heat and immediately remove from stove. Let cool slightly before covering to refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. You will want to turn over the plums every few hours to evenly marinate. Remove from bowl and strain well.

Line a flat pan with film wrap. Microwave chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon oil in microwave for 1 minute, or until melted. Stir oil into the melted chocolate.

Using a skewer or a metal spaghetti fork tine(I used those little corn on the cob holders), dip the plums in the melted chocolate, covering completely. Remove, let excess chocolate drip off and place on prepared pan. Repeat with all plums and place in refrigerator until chocolate has hardened. Meanwhile, melt white morsels and remainder vegetable oil. . Drizzle melted white morsels over each plum, let harden and keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.
* Try grape, spiced, pear, coconut or vanilla brandy or try peppermint schnapps  

Christmas Decadence

Through the years, the first and second Yankee Chefs have created some tasty and world-class desserts. And world-class, I mean so sinfully flavorful, you would have thought dozens of ingredients were used and hours of preparation. This has never been, nor ever shall be, the case with the third Yankee Chef, me! I have proudly created some dishes that would simply rival any dessert or pastry found in upscale restaurants and bakeries and I am equally proud to say that the preparation, ingredients and cost of many dip far below what you would expect.

Such is the case with the following two recipes. Both of these indulgences are absolutely explosive in flavor and ring in the Holiday season perfectly.

If you want these to adorn your Christmas tables this year, simply place them in the oven about 40 minutes before you think your guests and family will be ready to dig in.

　





 Self-Glazing Chestnut Cake

This cake is the epitome of what should be served at Christmas. Sweet and the most moist cake you will have this year, with the taste of roasted chestnuts evident in every bite. You know the second you take it from the oven and notice the dark brown caramelization on all sides of the pan that you have something that everyone will remember.

What is nice about this cake is that you can substitute any peanut in place of the chestnuts and replace the apple jelly with a jelly of your choice as well.

For those of you who are on a gluten-free diet, replace the flour with corn, buckwheat or quinoa flours because the jelly will keep the cake moist, regardless of what type of flour you use.

It truly doesn't matter how you play with this recipe, as long as you eat it!(Sound like a parent don't I?)

1 3/4 cups apple jelly
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Nonstick cooking spray
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup chopped, cooked(roasted) chestnuts *
2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

　

Add apple jelly, vanilla, lemon juice and cloves to a small microwavable bowl, cover loosely and heat for 45 seconds. Remove to stir. If the jelly hasn't melted completely, continue heating another 15 seconds; set aside.

Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Spray an 8 x8-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon until well combined; set aside. In another bowl, blend flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and nutmeg. Add the milk, chestnuts and melted butter, stirring just enough to combine. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over the top. Pour melted apple jelly evenly over the top but do not stir in. Bake 30 minutes, or until the top springs back when touched. The jelly will have pooled in the center of the cake, so test the cake along the side.

Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes and scoop out cake to serve as is or with ice cream or whipped topping if desired.


* These are easily found in any supermarket during the Holidays.
　

　

Saucy Pumpkin-Cranberry Holiday Cake

This cake should be served right along side of the above so that everyone can choose. But there is one downfall if you are going to do that. One bite of either and people are going to choose BOTH! Unlike the above recipe, the 'sauce' in this recipe gravitates to the edge of the cake, seeping down to the bottom as it bakes, so even though you may not notice it, the bottom is flooded with creamy, sweet goodness. So go ahead and scoop your portion out as opposed to cutting into it, like other cakes. You will also notice, upon eating, that I should have used the word 'moist' when titling this recipe.

1 3/4 cups cranberry juice
2 teaspoons lemon juiceNonstick cooking spray
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon each cinnamon and nutmeg
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon dried ginger
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

　

Add cranberry juice and lemon juice to a small bowl and whisk well; set aside. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Spray an 8 x8-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg until well combined; set aside. In another bowl, blend flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and ginger. Add the milk, pumpkin and melted butter, stirring just enough to combine. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over the top. Pour cranberry juice mixture over the top but do not stir in. Bake 30 minutes, or until the top springs back when touched.

Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes and scoop out cake to serve as is or with ice cream or whipped topping if desired.
　
Try other juices here folks, as well as other spices and flavorings in the cake as well. Coconut in the cake and pineapple juice as the sauce is a great idea, as is chopped or candied cherries in the cake and cherry juice on top. Try orange marmalade in the cake and orange juice on top. See what I mean?