Just Cook It! — Think outside of the pumpkin for fall desserts
When it comes to seasonal fall food, pumpkin is without a doubt the undisputed king of the fall season.
Pumpkin is a big deal this time of year and, quite frankly, it should be since it is such a big part of Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Pumpkin is a squash that is native to North America and can be found in many different varieties. Jack-o鈥�-lantern pumpkins are a different variety than the pumpkin that comes canned for making pies and other pumpkin foods. Pumpkin pie is of course the most famous and common food made from pumpkin and is a traditional part of Thanksgiving meals here in the United States.
Pumpkins also carry a wide array of health benefits. Pumpkin is rich in antioxidants, fiber, and being that it is a squash, is a low-fat food.
When I am using pumpkin, I usually prefer to use canned pumpkin as long as it is 100 percent pure pumpkin. When I use canned pumpkin, I make sure that the only ingredient listed on the label is in fact pumpkin.
I find that using canned pure pumpkin for cooking and baking is very convenient and does not, in most cases, diminish the quality of the final product. It saves you time, money, and hassle in the kitchen 鈥� all things that make it a positive experience for me. It蘑菇视频 true that certain foods require using raw pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, but I would say that 90 percent of the time I use pumpkin in a recipe it comes from a can.
However, I do not use the canned pumpkin pie mix. I feel that using the pre-made mix is taking the convenience thing a bit too far. You are already using pumpkin that has conveniently already been steamed, removed from the skin, and pureed for you. You should be able to handle mixing it with sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger, cloves, eggs and evaporated milk. I know 鈥� that蘑菇视频 seven whole ingredients (eight if you count the pumpkin), but I have faith in you making it work out and making it delicious without having to buy it in a can already done for you!
Another huge advantage to mixing your own pumpkin pie filling is that you get to control what exactly is in it. When I make that statement, I鈥檓 talking specifically about ingredient quality. For example, I use all organic ingredients and sea salt when I make my pumpkin pie. I also like to add a fresh vanilla bean to mine as well 鈥� good luck finding that in a can.
Pumpkin is a very versatile ingredient and is also delicious in other foods other than the traditional pumpkin pie. Pumpkin cake, cookies, muffins and bread are all delicious baked goods that are made with pumpkin. One of my personal favorite pumpkin treats are the ever so popular and delicious pumpkin cookies with chocolate chips.
I also enjoy cooking savory dishes with pumpkin. Keep in mind that pumpkin is merely a type of squash, so pretty much anything you can make with squash you can also make with pumpkin. Pumpkin pasta, ravioli, risotto and pumpkin macaroni and cheese are all common foods that can be made with pumpkin.
My pumpkin butter recipe (which can be found online at heraldstandard.com in the recipe section under the Life and Food and Dining tab) is one of my all-time favorite pumpkin foods to both cook and eat. It蘑菇视频 extremely simple to make, but it does take a little time to cook. Once you taste the final product though, you will find that it is well worth the time!
The recipe that I chose to highlight this month is one that I actually created last fall for a pumpkin-themed cooking demonstration that I was asked to do. I wanted to create something different than pumpkin pie, and I wanted to create an Italian-themed pumpkin dessert. I decided to make a pumpkin tiramisu and the results were extremely delicious. As a bonus, the recipe is also very easy to make.
Tiramisu is an Italian dessert made of ladyfingers (or other dipping cookies) dipped in coffee and layered with a whipped mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone cheese. I took the traditional recipe and added some pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice to give it a delicious fall flair.
My favorite part of the recipe is the fact that it requires no baking. You mix the ingredients, layer them properly, and then cover the dish and refrigerate it for a few hours before cutting and serving. It really doesn鈥檛 get any easier than that.
Feel free to make the recipe a day or two in advance. The recipe says to chill your tiramisu for at least six hours before serving, but the longer it sits in the refrigerator the better 鈥� within reason of course. One to two days before you are going to cut and serve it is ideal.
My pumpkin tiramisu is one of my favorite fall pumpkin recipes that I make and enjoy with family and friends every year. Make it one of your staple fall dessert recipes as well and celebrate the season with something a bit more unique than the traditional pumpkin pie! Then again, there蘑菇视频 no rule that I know of against enjoying two pumpkin desserts at the same time!
However you choose to celebrate the fall season, the most important part is to make sure that you do indeed celebrate it, and as always 鈥� Just Cook It!
Don鈥檛 forget to check out the video of me making my pumpkin tiramisu at www.heraldstandard.com.
Mario J. Porreca of Belle Vernon is a food personality, author, and the host of Just Cook It on WMBS Radio 590 AM. He can be reached via his website at: www.JustCookIt.net.