Pumpkin gingerbread cake

A variation on the Pioneer Woman's Pumpkin cake - more spices, added blackstrap molasses, doubled the recipe for two 13 x 9 (two potlucks same weekend), and adjusted to use one large can of pumpkin:

- preheat oven to 350, prep two 13 x 9 pans - grease or spray them with cooking spray 

- fill and start tea kettle

- Melt 1 pound of butter

stir in:

1 29oz can pumpkin puree

add:
2 Tbs blackstrap molasses
1 Tbs cinnamon
1 Tbs ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1 tbsp vanilla
some freshly ground nutmeg
(would have added the cardamon if I found it quick)

 stir in:

1 3/4 C boiling water



meanwhile whisk together in a big bowl:
4 cups flour
4 cups sugar
4 tsp baking soda


and in a small bowl mix:
1 cup plain kefir  (or milk with a bit of sour cream or plain yogurt equaling 1 cup)
4 eggs


Fold it all together the give up and get out your hand mixer until blended (this is cake!  not too much mixing!). 

Divide batter between the two pans, bake for about 35 minutes.   

Mushroom Risotto

(at the moment this is just notes for me ... I'll try to expand soon)

Per 1 lb box of risotto:

olive oil & butter, add risotto

3/4 cup white wine
dash of Worcestershire sauce
bit of saffron

1 small or 1/2 large onion, sauteed
4 portabello mushrooms, chopped and sauteed

4 cups broth (chicken and mushroom if possible)

7 min manual, wait 5+ min before you release

1.5 cups/Parmesan

Banana Carrot Oatmeal Muffins

As we dive into a new school year, quick breakfasts are a big help for busy mornings.     I made a BIG batch and wrapped most individually for the freezer!

 

3 sticks butter, softened

4 cups sugar (I did 2 white, 2 brown)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp allspice  

3 T ginger (yes tablespooon)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

6 eggs
1 Tablespoon baking soda
2 teaspoon baking powder


10 super ripe bananas, smooshed















2 carrots, grated








1 1/2 cups plain kefir* 


* or buttermilk, or milk and a little sour cream or a mix of milk and plain yogurt or even just milk ...



2 cups rolled (old fashioned) oats
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour











Cream together butter, sugar, spices and baking soda/powder.       Add eggs, then bananas, then kefir.    Mix in grated carrots.     

 
Then mix in flour and oats WITH A LIGHT HAND. Scoop into muffin papers - these are "medium" tulip papers, and my overflowing scoop was probably 3 oz.    Sprinkle with raw sugar if you can find yours ... 



 Bake at 425 for 10 minutes, then about 25 minutes at 350.    The hot oven start helps give them better lift and a slightly crunchy top.   







40 yummy muffins for my freezer and busy mornings!