Autumnal Munchies

It's a beautiful, crisp autumn day here in the wilds of Oregon. The boys have the day off of school so I made some muffins for breakfast to celebrate. These make me so very (ridiculously even) happy:

Pomegranate Ginger Muffins

2 c. flour
2/3 c. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/3 c. crystallized ginger, minced
1 t. fresh lemon zest
1 1/4 c. pomegranate seeds
1 c. milk
1 egg, beaten
1/4 c. butter, melted
Sugar, for topping

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line muffin tins.
2. Mix dry ingredients (sugar, flour, baking powder, salt) in a large bowl.
3. Mix wet ingredients (milk, egg, butter, lemon zest) in a medium bowl.
4. Make a "well" in your dry ingredients and pour in your wet ingredients until just mixed. Be careful not to over-mix. Over-mixing will make your muffins tough.
5. Fold in pomegranate seeds and ginger.
6. Spoon into tins.
7. Sprinkle tops with sugar, which will caramelize in the oven and make a lovely sugary top (I also like to use raw sugar- gives tops a nice crunchy texture).
8. Bake for 10-15 minutes until puffed and golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
9. Let cool for 5-10 minutes in the tin, then remove and cool on a cookie rack, or serve.
10. Add a cup of hazelnut coffee with a splash of cream, the Vince Guaraldi Trio, and you have the makings of one great morning.

Warning: not everyone likes the pomegranate seeds in their muffins, of course I think those people are stupid, but if you find the seeds crunchy texture off putting then by all means replace the pomegranate with dried cranberries.

Happy Palooza-Eve everyone!

Pumpkinpalooza is Saturday October 27th!

It’s finally here! The celebration of our favorite spherical gourd is upon us… Pumpkinpalooza ought seven!

The Food: Dinner will be around 7ish and yes, our menu will remain the same with the traditional pumpkin sausage pasta, baguette, and tossed green salad with pumpkin seed viniaigrette. Dessert will be brought by you. Yes, this year you provide the dessert. Why? Because there will be a punkin bake-off (and making pasta sauce and caramel corn for 60 takes all of my time)! Need a recipe? Shoot me an email and I’ll be happy to send you a recipe link for pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin cream puffs, chocolate pumpkin orange cupcakes, and yes, even pumpkin pie. Don’t do the dessert thing? Wanna bring an appetizer? Some bread? A beverage? Another dessert? That would be great, awesome even! Give me a jingle.


The Carving: Carving will begin around 5. We will provide a few carving implements (read: my steak knives), plenty of sharpies, and newspaper. You provide the pumpkin (hint: innovative use of pumpkins of different shapes and colors will be noted in judging), skill, inspiration, and any special tools (i.e. stencils, exacto knives, leather/ceramic tooling kits, or electric helps such as jigsaws, drills, or extension cords).

This year will be the second we judge the carved goods. If your jack-o-lantern wins you shall be dubbed High Pumpkin Mucky-Muck! To acknowledge your superlative pumpkin carving skills and incredible creativity we will slap your name on a tacky trophy and grant you one year of bragging rights. Afore said trophy will accompany you home where it will be kept in a highly visible place (we think your mantle or kitchen table best) till next Pumpkinfest. Huzzah! Warning: last year’s reigning champ is highly skilled and very cute and intends to take home the trophy for another year so bring your skills and your best game face.


The Place: Since we have moved from farm to apartment quarters are tight so accommodations have been made at our church. You need directions? Rsvp and I’ll send ‘em to you. For obvious reasons I don’t feel comfortable posting my party location on the web.

It promises to be the best palooza yet! Besides good eats and good times, pumpkin carving and baked good contests, we have also planned some really fun games and some special treats. So come on out!

Now if you’ll excuse me I gotta get shopping. I need that #10 can of pureed pumpkin, a Guaraldi CD, caramel corn fixin’s, votive candles…