Always colorful fun at the pumpkin farm!
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This really is my most favorite little cook book for the autumn months and I'll
be making good use of it these coming weeks.
Fabulous recipes, both savory and sweet, from one of Britain's great food
writers Brian Glover.
Today I'm baking pumpkin breads, and yes, I'm cheating by using Krusteaz
brand pumpkin bread mix which is really good and quick!
Usually I use Libby's seasonal pumpkin bread mix, also excellent, but this
one caught my eye and I love it.
So today, one loaf for us, the other to welcome my new next door neighbors
who just moved in over the weekend.
To use the bread for a dessert I'm adding a simple toffee sauce, and
perhaps a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Here's the sauce recipe if interested. I usually make half the recipe.
TOFFEE SAUCE
300g light muscovado sugar
284ml heavy cream
50g unsalted butter
Put the sugar, cream and butter in a small heavy-based saucepan
and heat gently to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for 3 mins, stirring to
thicken slightly and make a smooth sauce.
It's sweet but a small portion drizzled over is really enjoyable and turns
bread into cake!!!!
Yesterday I baked yet another galette - I'm hooked on these easy,
one crust, rustic style 'tarts.'
This one is a plum and apple combo, mostly plums, really good.
Addition of a dash of Chambord Black Raspberry liqueur rather than
lemon juice, and a little grated butter over the top prior to baking, made
it rich and tasty.
Do you enjoy baking on these lovely autumn days?
Thanks so much for all the very kind good wishes in
regard to my 'down time' lately. I'm OK but just want to
be able to get about on foot and do things without pain!
I'm peering out the window right now and watching Bob in the
glorious sunshine fiddling about in the garden.
Soon the leaves will be falling and he'll need help raking - I really
want to be able to do that!
Happy Sunday. . . . . . and a great week ahead to you all.
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No, I never enjoy cooking these days. However, I did bake an apple tart and it was delicious. I had to send it to my brother-in-law because it was too dangerous to have here. Didn't know that neighbors like you still existed. May your new neighbors be excellent ones like you.
ReplyDelete.......so you did take a taste I hope before sharing with that lucky guy!
ReplyDeleteI always consider anything baked with fruit to be healthy, just need to cut down on the amount of sugar which is usually far too much, especially in American recipes I find!
I think the new couple who have purchased the house, their first, will be really nice neighbors. They have interesting jobs, are in late 20's, quiet, polite, and with no barking dogs! Though old enough to be their grandparents, Bob and I are happy to have them here.
I'll be popping over with the pumpkin bread when it cools off a bit!!!
What a wonderful treat for your new neighbors. I am sure they will love it!
DeleteThey were thrilled with the pumpkin bread - don't think they cook a lot - but they seem to be a delightful couple!
DeleteThe weather here is still warm, so I am still eating fresh fish and salads. Your bread and galette sound great.
ReplyDelete. . . . and of course I will still bake your apple pie recipe Penny - it's the best!
DeleteHi Mary, I just visited your previous post and am sorry to hear about the losses and pain that you are currently dealing with. I do hope it won't be long before you find relief through your physical therapy. My thoughts are with you. It is good that you are still able to find ways to enjoy the fall season through your beautiful photographs and scrumptious baking. Your new neighbors will be delighted to have you and Bob right next door.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been doing much baking, but I did make a pumpkin chick pea chili last night that was very seasonal and delicious.
Take good care, Mary. Hugs!!
I feel blessed to have what I think are going to be delightful new young neighbors! We are a close-knit group here on our cul-de-sac and they are going to fit in well. They have lived in the UK (actually met there at university), and traveled some, so we have a lot in common. . . . .other than age, sigh!!!!!!
DeleteGosh Kim, love the sound of your chili - any chance you can post the recipe please!
Thanks for the get well wishes - I'm hoping to feel better soon!
Since we had to be inside our homes beginning last Spring, I have experimented more with food and exciting dishes than ever before in my life .... the upside to indoors.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're "playing with food" dear Helen - it does make staying at home a lot a little better - and the kitchen always smells good!!!!
DeleteDearest Mary,
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your perfect fall dream and pumpkin spice quick bread mix.
That would be way too high in sugar and added sugar for me...
Those that are allowed to have it ought to indulge.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hope there are some autumn baked goods you can enjoy Mariette. Guess you have to bake from scratch to keep the sugar content low - which is what we should all do!!!
DeleteIt is very hard... just made the dough for some waffles, using coconut sugar as it has a very low glycemic index. Trader Joe's sells it.
DeleteHope your new neighbors are nice Mary; they sure will appreciate such a loaf.
I do love your cooking, Mary. Pumpkin bread mix is a great idea and a sweet idea to share with your new neighbours. I am sure they love you already! Baking is in decline here, as the humidity of Summer sets in. Fresh fruit and salads will be on the table for a few months :) xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Trish - know you are probably staying away from the hot stove these days - whereas I'm embracing the cooler weather and actually longing for cold winter weather - think coats, boots and cozy sweaters!
DeleteMary this bread looks scrumptious! I am going to look for it at my store. I cannot wait to try the sauce! I hope that you are relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather.
ReplyDeleteIt's really good Elizabeth! I know you bake from scratch but think you'd enjoy this quick bread!
DeleteAutumn is a wonderful time to do some baking. I don't feel quite the same in December, it's slightly stressful then. I noticed that after Halloween is over, forget about buying a pumpkin in the stores. Many varieties of squash but no pumpkins to be found. I'll cook the two pie pumpkins I bought now and freeze the pumpkin for pies in November. I prefer to use fresh pumpkin rather than canned for pies. I use canned for cookies, tea breads and pumpkin rolls. Krusteaz had a pumpkin cornbread mix a couple of years ago that was wonderful. I haven't seen it in the stores this year. I've noticed a lack of pumpkin spice products this year. I could always find pumpkin bagels, pumpkin English muffins and a "lite" version of pumpkin pie ice cream, but not this season. The seasonal cereals are lacking also, so when my S.O. came home with four boxes, I did a happy dance. It's the small things that can make one happy!
ReplyDeleteI so agree, much less stressful right now! I don't even want to think of December cooking, although this year we'll definitely be staying low key for Christmas, once again, thanks to COVID!
DeleteHave never been disappointed with any Krusteaz product - they seem to be a long time caring American company. I keep a few of their bakery mixes - cranberry-orange muffins, cinnamon swirl coffeecake, lemon cake etc. handy always - for guys/service people working at the house who always enjoy what they see as a "homemade treat."
I use canned pure pumpkin for some recipes, such as pumpkin mousse! Just found a recipe for pumpkin mac & cheese which I might try - so picked up a can to use for that.
Thanks as always for stopping by - stay well.
Mary -
Goodness! I have just popped in through my cousin's blog and look at all these lovely treats! Yes, we American's do have a sweet tooth! The only baking I have done so far this season is a batch of pumpkin pecan muffins and a pan of Apricot Almond bars. Perhaps I will be inspired to try something else very soon. May I offer a quick prayer up that your leg will quickly heal and you will can be up and doing all the things you love very soon. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteSo nice of you to stop by and many thanks for the very kind get well wishes.
DeleteThe Apricot Almond bars must be delicious - two flavors I love!
Mary -
I'm not sure if anyone in England knows what to do with pumpkins - apart from making Hallowe'en decorations!
ReplyDeleteOh no John! Pumpkins make for delicious meals (ask the nearby French!). When visiting France, where my brother lives, we were able to enjoy a fantastic visit to an October village pumpkin festival, a day to remember! it was there I learned from the ladies at their stalls about cooking pumpkins for soups and vegetarian dishes. Here in the US they do at least bake a lot of sweet desserts etc. with the small "pie pumpkins" - but still many people are not familiar with the golden mid-sized roasting pumpkins for savories. The huge orange Halloween style pumpkins are best still carved, not eaten!
DeleteI love the idea of you welcoming your new neighbour with a loaf of home-baked pumpkin bread!
ReplyDeleteIn your recipe for the toffee sauce it says muscovado sugar - no idea what that is, but it sounds easy to make, and tasty.
As you know, I neither cook nor bake during the week, when I am on my own. However, I love cooking on weekends, for O.K. and myself and possibly for guests, if we have any. Last Saturday, my sister came for dinner, and I made Yorkshire pudding and a mixed tray of vegetables in the oven, the veg being Hokkaido pumpkin, parsnips and spuds. Lovely, and the kitchen was so nice and warm.
Here's a note on muscovado, a very dark sugar. I usually keep a packet on hand but am out - it's on my shopping list when next at the specialty grocery store - it's often not available in my regular big food store!
Delete"What is the difference between muscovado sugar and brown sugar?
Brown sugar is refined white sugar with molasses added back to it. Muscovado sugar is less refined, so it retains much of its molasses component. ... Muscovado has more complex flavours, with more pronounced caramel and toffee notes."
Yorkshire pudding with my very favorite roasted roots - delicious. Can I come next time please???
Love this time of year! The colors, the nature and the calmness...just what I need :)
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and pumpkin bread sounds really nice!
Titti
Thinking of you my dear and hoping that you are soon out there raking up the leaves in the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteThe galette looks delicious, apple and plum is a good combo. I've only tried pumpkin once, it didn't have much taste to it.
ReplyDeleteYou are very sweet to welcome your new neighbors with sweets--no pun there! I made pumpkin muffins yesterday with the same mix, but I made a quick cream cheese topping. I also added vanilla to the mix, and a dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon over the top. I'd love to try the syrup you made, along with ice cream...Al's favorite indulgence!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you are up and about, and I can sense your happiness and true enthusiasm for life each and every day.
Love to you and Bob, as always.
Jane 😘
Oh my, your baking all sounds and looks delicious. I had never thought of ice cream and caramel sauce with pumpkin bread. Now I am thinking of it. I do love pumpkin bread this time of year. There was an apple pie baked since returning home, as my little D came visiting.
ReplyDelete