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Make Your Own Pumpkin Pie Spice

partysugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:50:09 -0800

For years I thought pumpkin pie spice was a special spice - only recently did I realize it's actually a spice blend. And, like any spice blend, be it herbs de Provence or a rub for barbecue, pumpkin pie spice is easy to make. Why waste a couple of bucks buying it when you already have the ingredients in your pantry?! All you have to do is stir together ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg and voila! You can use it throughout the holiday season. To get the simple recipe, keep reading.

Would You Rather Eat Pumpkin or Pecan Pie?

partysugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:30:50 -0800

Source: Flickr Users delgaudm and museinthecity

This Thanksgiving, Make Triple-Chocolate Pumpkin Pie!

partysugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:33 -0800

Although I can't deny the deliciousness of a slice of classic, cinnamon-laced pumpkin pie, in recent years, I've expanded my horizons to somewhat non-traditional Thanksgiving desserts. Pecan pie? Surprisingly easy, yet wildly delicious. Pumpkin meringue pie? An unexpected crowd-pleaser. Pumpkin cake with pecan brittle and whipped cream cheese frosting? Devoured in seconds. Triple chocolate pumpkin pie? Sign me up! When I came across this recipe, while browsing Martha Stewart's Thanksgiving central, I knew I had to try it. If you've made pumpkin pie in the past, you can master this. It's actually easier because the crust is made from graham crackers instead of a standard pastry dough. The resulting pie is dense and rich. Each bite is an experience of flavors: first you taste chocolate, then pumpkin, and finally the sweet crust. To take a look at the recipe, read more.

Triple-Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

For the graham cracker crust
2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs (about 16 crackers)
3 ounces (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate (preferably 61 percent cacao), finely chopped
For the filling:
6 ounces semisweet chocolate (preferably 55 percent cacao), chopped
2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Ground cloves
1 ounce milk chocolate, melted

Directions

Make the crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugars, salt, and cinnamon in bowl. Firmly press mixture into bottom and up sides of a deep, 9 1/2-inch pie dish. Bake until firm, 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove from oven, and sprinkle bittersweet chocolate over bottom of crust. Return to oven to melt chocolate, about 1 minute. Spread chocolate in a thin layer on bottom and up sides.
Let cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
Make the filling: In a large heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, melt semisweet chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.
Mix pumpkin, milk, brown sugar, eggs, cornstarch, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves in a medium bowl. Whisk 1/3 pumpkin mixture into chocolate mixture. Whisk in remaining pumpkin mixture until completely incorporated.
Transfer pie dish to a rimmed baking sheet, and pour pumpkin mixture into crust. Bake until center is set but still a bit wobbly, 55 to 60 minutes. Let cool in pie dish on a wire rack.
Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 8 hours (preferably overnight). Before serving, drizzle melted milk chocolate on top. Serve immediately.

Serves 12.

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Bite-Size Pumpkin Pies With a Baklava Twist

YumSugar — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:00:46 -0800

After drooling over Party's pumpkin cake and these pumpkin pies, I wanted to experiment with my own unique concoction: a traditional pumpkin pie filling with baklava-inspired crust and streusel topping. With a belly full of Thanksgiving fixings, eating a whole piece of pie can be a rather daunting task, so I made bite-size pies to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth. The pumpkin pie filling and walnut-oatmeal streusel are simple to make, but the cinnamon-sugar phyllo cups are more time consuming due to the very delicate nature of phyllo. All three of the components can be made in advance and quickly assembled and baked the day of, prior to serving. These mini pies are light, crunchy, and nutty with a scrumptious creamy pumpkin pie filling! To make your own tiny pumpkin pies with a baklava twist, read more.

Bite-Size Pumpkin Pies With Baklava Crust
Adapted from Martha Stewart Living magazine

Ingredients

Walnut-Oatmeal Streusel
6 tablespoons old-fashioned oats
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
3 1/2 tablespoons flour
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon honey
Phyllo Crust
5 sheets of phyllo, thawed and room temperature
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Pumpkin Pie Filling
7.5 ounces solid-pack pumpkin
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/8 cup honey
1 egg
1/8 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

Make the walnut-oatmeal streusel: Preheat oven to 350. Combine oats, walnuts, flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl.
Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in honey. Stir into oat mixture.
Spread streusel on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally until light gold and crunchy, 12 to 15 minutes.
Let cool on baking sheet on a wire rack. Streusel will keep, covered for up to 3 days.
Make the phyllo crust: Preheat oven to 350. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Gently place one layer of phyllo dough on a large cutting board. Brush with a thin layer of butter and sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture. Repeat this step five times until all 5 sheets have been used.
Cut phyllo into 2 by 2 inch squares. Remove each square and gently press and fold the edges into the mini muffin tin. Bake for 5-8 minutes until phyllo cups are golden.
Make the pumpkin pie filling: combine pumpkin, brown sugar, honey, egg, cream, cornstarch, vanilla, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger in a large bowl.
Sprinkle a bit of streusel in the bottom of each phyllo cup. Spoon in a small amount of pumpkin pie filling in each phyllo cup. Bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes until the pumpkin filling is firm.
Sprinkle a little strusel on each and serve warm.

Makes 30 bite-size pies.

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6 Magnificent Thanksgiving Menus

partysugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:30:50 -0800

Turkey day is only one short week away, so if you still don't have your menu planned, I suggest you do it now! Here, I've created six fabulous Thanksgiving menus. From the foodie to the novice to the vegetarian, there's something for everyone. Select a complete menu or pick and choose dishes from each one to create your own delicious meal.

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7 Pumpkin Pies Worth Polishing Off

YumSugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:30:13 -0800

If there's one quintessential Thanksgiving dessert, it's pumpkin pie. But there are so many selections to choose from, how does one pick? Well, fear not, because we've narrowed down the selections for you. Here are seven pies that are so decadent we could them polish off in one sitting.

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Come Party With Me: Budget Thanksgiving - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:00:22 -0800

Thanksgiving isn't Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. While you could ask guests to bring dessert, I think the hostess should take on this sweet task. If you don't do much baking, it's more economical to purchase a ready-made pie dough.

However, if you have ingredients like flour and butter on hand, simply use those to make the pie. The classic recipe from Libby's is delicious and minimal. Ditch the whipped cream topping for a truly budget, fit-friendly dessert. To look at the recipe, read more.

Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie
From Libby's

Ingredients

1 pie dough (store bought or homemade)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 can (15 ounces) Libby's 100-percent pure pumpkin
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk, preferably Nestle Carnation

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F. On a lightly floured work surface, roll pie dough into a 12-inch round. With a dry pastry brush, sweep off the excess flour; fit dough into a 9-inch deep-dish glass pie plate, pressing it into the edges. Trim to a 1-inch overhang all around. Crimp edge as desired. Prick bottom of dough all over with a fork; set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together, sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and cloves. Beat eggs together in a large bowl. Add sugar mixture and pumpkin; stir to combine. Stir in evaporated milk until well combined.
Pour mixture into pie shell and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F; bake until filling is set, 20 to 30 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack and let cool 2 hours. Serve with whipped cream, if desired, or transfer to a refrigerator until ready to serve.

Serves 8.

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Come Party With Me: Classic Thanksgiving - Menu (Dessert)

partysugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:28:33 -0800

After you have finished your Thanksgiving meal, clean the kitchen and take a nice, leisurely walk. By the time you return home you will feel refreshed and ready for a piece of pie and a glass of champagne. Pumpkin pie is the obvious choice for a decadent dessert. Jazz yours up with an amaretto whipped cream. Serve a second dessert option in the form of a chocolate pecan pie. Slice up any leftover pie and give to guests as they leave. For the recipes to these divinely delicious desserts, please read more

Classic Pumpkin Pie
From Cooking Light magazine

Filling:
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 3/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated low-fat milk
2 large egg whites
1 large egg
1 (15-ounce) can unsweetened pumpkin
Crust:
1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie dough (such as Pillsbury)
Cooking spray
Topping:
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon amaretto (almond-flavored liqueur)
2 teaspoons powdered sugar

Position oven rack to lowest position. Preheat oven to 425°.
To prepare filling, combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add pumpkin, and stir with a whisk until smooth.
To prepare crust, roll dough into an 11-inch circle; fit into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Fold edges under and flute.
Pour pumpkin mixture into the crust. Place pie plate on a baking sheet. Place baking sheet on lowest oven rack.
Bake at 425° for 10 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350° (do not remove pie from oven); bake an additional 50 minutes or until almost set. Cool completely on wire rack.
To prepare topping, beat cream with a mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form. Add the amaretto and powdered sugar, and beat until blended. Serve with pie.

Serves 12

Nutritional Information: CALORIES 222(30% from fat); FAT 7.4g (sat 3.7g,mono 0.7g,poly 0.1g); PROTEIN 4.1g; CHOLESTEROL 32mg; CALCIUM 104mg; SODIUM 241mg; FIBER 3g; IRON 0.8mg; CARBOHYDRATE 35.3g

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Chocolate Pecan Pie
From Emeril Lagasse

1 sweet pie crust, recipe follows
1 cup milk chocolate chips
2/3 cup corn syrup
1/3 cup sugar
3 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup coarsely chopped pecan pieces
1/2 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
Edible gold leaf, torn or cut into flakes, garnish (optional)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to an 11-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie pan, trim and flute the edges. Let rest refrigerated for 20 minutes.
Cover with parchment paper and pie weights. Bake until set, 12 to 15 minutes.
Remove the paper and weights and cook until just golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.
In the top of a double boiler, gently melt the chocolate chips over almost simmering water. Remove from the heat.
In a large bowl, combine the melted chocolate with the corn syrup, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and pecans. Pour into the cooled pie crust and bake for 10 minutes.
Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cool on a rack.
Place half of the chopped bittersweet chocolate in a small bowl. Place the remaining bittersweet chocolate and the oil in the top of a double boiler, or in a small metal bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Heat the chocolate, whisking, until melted.
Pour the melted chocolate over the chocolate in the bowl, whisking to melt. Pour over the warm pie, spreading to the edges to coat the top.
Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours.
In a medium bowl, whip the cream until soft peaks start to form. Add the sugar and whip to stiff peaks.
Remove the pie from the refrigerator, slice and arrange on plates. Garnish each slice with edible gold flakes and serve with whipped cream on the side.

Serves 6-8.

Basic Sweet Pie Crust:
8 ounces flour, about 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick (1/4 pound) cold butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening
4 to 6 tablespoons ice water

Sift the flour, sugar, and salt into a large bowl. Using your fingers, work in the butter and shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add 2 tablespoons of ice water and work with your fingers until the water is incorporated and the dough comes together.
Add more water as needed to make a smooth dough, being careful not to over mix. Form the dough into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using.

Makes 1 (9 or 10-inch) pie crust.

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Would You Rather Eat Pumpkin or Apple Pie?

partysugar — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 04:18:55 -0800

Source

Get Your Pie On

partysugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:28:33 -0800

Instead of making traditional pumpkin pie, this year I surprised my family on Thanksgiving with a pumpkin meringue pie! There are three elements to this pie, so I made each one on a different day. The cream cheese pastry crust is simply flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. The exquisite filling - I could not stop licking the bowl! - is made with an infused cream and pumpkin puree. The topping - that's made minutes before serving - is a classic meringue. The hardest part was rolling out the dough, but after a few emergency calls to YumSugar, it was ready to bake. For the to-die-for recipe, read more

Pumpkin Meringue Pie
From Food & Wine magazine

Cream Cheese Pastry:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup cream cheese (2 ounces), softened
1 stick (4 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
3 tablespoons ice water
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Filling:
1 quart heavy cream
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
1 whole nutmeg
1 cup light brown sugar
4 large eggs, separated
One 29-ounce can unsweetened pumpkin puree (3 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Meringue Topping:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
4 large egg whites

Make the crust: in a food processor, combine the flour, brown sugar and spices, if using, and pulse to mix.
Add the cream cheese and pulse until the mixture is sandy. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
In a small pitcher, combine the ice water with the egg, oil and vanilla and pour into the food processor; pulse until the dough just forms a ball.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into 1 large disk for a tart or 2 small disks for pies.
Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350°.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out each disk of Cream Cheese Pastry to about 1/8 inch thick. Fit the rounds into two 10-inch glass pie plates and trim the overhang to 1-inch. Fold the overhang under the rim and crimp decoratively. Line the pie shells with foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
Bake the pie shells for 30 minutes, or until lightly colored around the edges. Remove the foil and weights and bake the shells for about 5 minutes longer, or until lightly browned and dry. Let the pie shells cool slightly.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, simmer the cream with the cinnamon sticks, cloves and nutmeg over moderately low heat until reduced to 21/2 cups, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool, then strain; discard the spices.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the brown sugar with the egg yolks until thick and pale, about 3 minutes. At low speed, beat in the pumpkin puree. Gradually add the cream and beat until blended.
In a stainless-steel bowl, using clean beaters, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Slowly beat in the granulated sugar and continue beating until the whites are stiff and glossy. Stir one-fourth of the beaten egg whites into the pumpkin filling to lighten it, then fold in the remaining whites. Pour the filling into the pie shells and smooth the surfaces. Bake the pies for about 1 hour, or until the custard is lightly golden and just beginning to crack all over. Let the pies cool completely on racks.
Make the Meringue Topping: in a small, heavy saucepan, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil; stir just until the sugar dissolves. Boil, without stirring, until the temperature registers 220° on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes.
In a large stainless-steel bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites at medium speed until firm. Beating constantly, carefully add the hot sugar syrup to the whites in a thin steady stream; be careful not to splatter against the beaters or the side of the bowl. Increase the speed to high and beat the meringue until stiff, glossy and slightly cool.
Preheat the broiler and position a rack 8 inches from the heat. Starting from the edge of the crust, Spoon the meringue all over the pies and spread with a spatula, making decorative dips and swirls.
Broil the meringue for about 30 seconds, shifting the pies as necessary for even browning, serve.

Makes 2 pies.

Make ahead: the pies can be prepared through Step 5 and refrigerated overnight.

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