Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Pumpkin Week Recap

Thank-you to all who participated in Pumpkin Week on our facebook page!  Wonderful projects, recipes, and handmade finds were shared.  In case you weren't there, here is a recap.  I wanted to get this out to you earlier, but due to a power outage, I guess it's better late than never!  


Enjoy!


A beautiful Handmade Bracelet by Janet at Pink Poppy Studio on Etsy.


A recipe for Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake from Woman's Day.






Lovely handmade Autumn Earrings by Janet at Honey From The Bee on ArtFire.


Pumpkin House Numbers (above), and Painted Pumpkins (left) submitted by Christie.
An adorable Pumpkin Patch Pot Holder by Sue at Quilt Tops on ArtFire.

















Soft Pumpkin Cookies

by Michelle Ballard on ArtFire
Old fashioned soft pumpkin cookie recipe. I have been making these at least once a year for as long as I can remember and they are a super easy cookie that everyone seems to love. They are soft almost like a pumpkin bread. We love to eat them with a dab of coolwhip to dip them in.

Mix together and set aside

2.5 cups of flour
1tsp baking soda
1tsp baking powder
1tsp cinnamon
.5 tsp nutmeg
.5 tsp salt

Cinnamon and nutmeg are to flavor.. I add at least twice that amount


Mix in a large bowl

1.5 cups sugar
.5 cup of butter ( 1 stick )
1 cup pumpkin
1 large egg
1tsp of vanilla

Mix dry ingredidants into wet and stir well... drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheet and bake about 15-18 minutes at 350 degrees.

I always make at least a double batch and most the time I triple it.



Pumpkin Place Cards 












Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Dinner Rolls recipes by Basil and Blue.










And Pick Your Own Pumpkin Etsy treasury, submitted by Ewenique Essentials.



Monday, November 21, 2011

Pumpkin Dinner Rolls and Vegan Pumpkin Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

During Pumpkin Week here at Basil and Blue, I ended up baking some goodies and thought I would share them with you. I made them both vegan, and would be loved by anyone as they are delicious.  They would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving meal. Bon Appetit!



Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

This recipe I've adapted from The World of Breads, by Dolores Casella and published in 1966.  This was one of my mom's favorite bread books, but I don't remember her making these rolls.  They are very easy to make!  The pumpkin flavor is not too strong, and makes a good all purpose dinner roll.

2/3 cup scalded, cooled milk (I used soy milk)
1 cup canned 100% Pure Pumpkin Puree
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/3 c. butter (or vegan butter)
1 t. lemon zest
1 cake yeast dissolved in 1/4 cup warm water
4-5 cups flour (can use all purpose or whole wheat, or a mix)
1/2 t. cinnamon (optional)
1/4 t. allspice (optional)

Combine the milk, pumpkin, sugar, salt, lemon zest, and butter.  Blend well.  Add the dissolved yeast to the mixture, along with 2 cups of the flour and spices, if using.  Beat well.  Gradually stir in more flour until the dough is stiff enough to knead.  Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead well.  Place in a buttered bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled.

Punch down and and shape individual rolls into desired shapes.  Here I just did simple balls in a rectangular pan that I had oiled with a little olive oil.  You could do them differently.


 Place on buttered cookie sheets, muffin tins, or rectangular pans.  Cover and let rise until doubled.


 Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes.  Brush with soft butter while hot (optional).




My next pumpkin delight:






Pumpkin Pecan Cinnamon Rolls with Ginger Cream Cheese Glaze


The next recipe I just had to try was for Vegan Pumpkin Pecan Cinnamon Rolls.  While these are vegan, I make no claims that they are "healthy." :-)  They are a delicious treat, however.  Unfortunately, I didn't have all of the ingredients and had to improvise.  I also added a bit here and there.  You can see the original recipe and many other great vegan recipes here. The following is my adapted version.

Dough:
1/2 cup pumpkin puree, canned/unsweetened
2 1/2 cups white flour
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 packet yeast
1/2 cup vegan shortening or butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt if using shortening.  No salt if using vegan butter.
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
+ extra white flour to use during kneading

Pecan Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup pecan, chopped
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegan butter, melted

Ginger Cream Cheese Glaze:
1 3/4 tsp ground ginger
8 oz vegan cream cheese
1/3 cup vegan butter, barely melted
1 tsp lemon zest
1/4 tsp nutmeg
dash of allspice
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/3 cup coconut milk (Silk)
2-3 T powdered sugar (I found I didn't need to add this, but you may want to)

This will take about 3 hours!

1. Combine the warm water and yeast.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast, melted shortening, 1 cup of the flour, sugar, pumpkin, and salt.  Beat on low until smooth.  Fold in the remaining flour with a spoon until it is barely sticky to touch.  Roll into a ball and knead for 1-2 minutes.  Place dough in floured mixing bowl and cover with a damp cloth.  Let rise in a warm spot for about 2 hours or until doubled.



2. Filling:  Combine sugar and vegan butter.  Stir in spices and vanilla.  This should be thick but spreadable. Set aside. Keep chopped pecans separate, so this will be easier to spread.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

4. After the dough has risen for 2 hours or doubled, roll it out onto a clean well-floured surface with a rolling pin.  Roll out very thin.  I rolled mine out on a silicone mat that was 16x23".  Spread the butter/cinnamon mixture over dough.  Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the dough. Roll the dough tightly into a "log" the long way.  Slice into 1 1/2" rounds and place next to each other in a greased cake pan or rectangular pan.

5. Bake at 400 for about 25-30 minutes, but start to check after 20 minutes, depending on your oven.  Let cool for at least 20 minutes before applying glaze.

6. While they are cooling, combine all glaze ingredients and beat until smooth with a hand mixer.  Sift in the desired amount of powdered sugar, and stir.  Pour over rolls, and refrigerate the leftovers.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Fun Finds Friday: The Thanksgiving Table Setting

Thankful Banner by inspirationalbanners


Today I've chosen to set a virtual table, with items from Etsy, in hues of gold, green, and plum.  This is an ecclectic mix of traditional, cottage, and vintage.  I love all of the colors of fall, and always look forward to Thanksgiving.  


I wish you all a wonderful holiday surrounded by a spirit of grattitude and thankfulness.


Enjoy!

Let's start off with a plum and gold table runner by giardino:


Now for some vintage glass dishes by thevintagetreehouse:


...and add some Vintage Carnival Glass accent dishes by Pascalene:

And now for some vintage silverware by buttermilkhollow:


Mix in some Amber Vintage Stemware by vintagekitchenshop:


And now add a trio of beautiful flower centerpieces by floresdelsol:


Nestle in these felt acorns by leboxboutique:


Here are some lovely coordinating napkin rings by BrittanysBest:


Here is a beautiful Carnival Glass Punch bowl set by VintageVaultAustin:


Display some appetizers on this tiered stand by highteaforalice:


Now for the candles!  A beautiful fused glass piece by wishartglass:


And also a scattering of these amber votive holders by WorkingForAnAngel:


Now add the finishing touch with these Fern Place Cards by FiddleheadsForFiona:

Monday, November 14, 2011

Fall Decorating With Pumpkins

It's Pumpkin Week at Basil and Blue!
Pumpkin Photo
In gorgeous shades of orange and creams, and variety of sizes and shapes from big and round to cute and squatty, who couldn't love pumpkins?  With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I decided to dedicate this week to them.  Whether they are used in decorating, fun activities, or in delicious recipes, this versatile squash is a much loved symbol of the fall season.


This week, join us on our Facebook Page to share recipes and other great pumpkin ideas.  Let's have a pumpkin challenge!  Find inspiration online to share, or do a DIY project and share your little pumpkin creations.  From decorating your porch or living room, to recipes and kids crafts, we'd love to hear from you!

Here are some inspirations to get us started:


Use Pumpkins to add color to a
fireplace you're not using.























Make a cloche arrangement






















Friday, November 11, 2011

Fun Finds Friday: Red and White Polka Dots

For today's fun finds, I decided to brighten things up a bit with a colorful and fun palette.  Red and white polka dots, to be exact.  Here are some ways to add a whimsical pop of color to your decor from handmade shops on Etsy.  Enjoy!

Silhouette Deer Ornaments by Iwannabe:


Red White Poka Dot Boots 1 Photograph by k8tography:


Coffee Cozy by beyondquilts:


5 x 7 Picture Frame by HartLaine:


Mushroom Polka Dot Teapot by scattyartist:


Button Magnet by OddgirlCreates:


Holiday Toadstool Garden by BellaMiaDesign:


Friday, November 4, 2011

Fun Finds Friday: Acorns

'Tis the season for getting ready for winter, cozying our nest, and digging out all of our pumpkin recipes.  Fall has fallen, and with Thanksgiving on it's way, I thought it would be fun to feature some fun acorn decor.   

When I was looking for my fun finds, I found out something I'd never heard before. According to legend (according to Wikipedia anyway), there is a Norse legend that Thor sought shelter under an oak tree during a thunderstorm.  Because of this, some thought that putting acorns on your windowsill would keep your house from being struck by lightning.  Too bad they hadn't met Mr. Benjamin Franklin.  Lightning rod vs. acorns...hmmm...  Anyway, that is why acorn adornments on finials, curtain rods, and drapery/blind pulls became popular.  And for the record, we do not have acorns on our windowsill, and our house has never been struck by lightning.

With holiday decorating under way in our house, here are some clever, cute, and beautiful ways to add acorn accents to your home.

Enjoy!

Wool Felted Acorns by CityCrochet


Acorn Wood Bookend by GraphicSpacesWood


Acorn and Pearl Napkin Rings by NaturallyNatalie


Vintage Wooden Acorn Box by kellyemeraldheart




Vintage Amber Acorn Dish by sweetie2sweetie