Last Friday, the mister called me from Global Headquarters and said, "I heard on the radio there's a Christmas show in Seattle, want to go tomorrow?" I dropped the phone, lest I be burned by whatever demon was on the other end! The mister asking me to go do something with only one day of notice? The mister suggesting we go to a Christmas show??? The man who's brother from another mother is the Grinch? Surely this was a joke! In case you don't know, the mister never has an idea for something to do on the weekend, and even if he did, he would never suggest something with only one day of notice...oh no, he's a 7-day-out-kind-of-guy...he needs time to get his head wrapped around antiquing or a ferry ride to the islands, because you know, those are such weird and strange activities...he needs to be able to write it on his calendar and put a little star by it, then he needs at least three or four days to whine about it! He is nothing if not routine, methodical and predictable...get the idea? So. So. So. He tells me about the Christmas show, my antennae go up, way, way up, and I said, "Sure..what's the catch? What are you up to? YOU want to go to a Christmas show? Are you freakin' kidding me? Shall I call an ambulance now or wait until you've finished your stroke? You want to go to a Christmas show when football is on TV? Hahahahaha...hello? Hello? HELLO????" He hung up. The next day we went to the Christmas show...either I've finally got him trained or he's given up.
The show was a bit of a disappointment for me, but then I'm a hard sell, I'm always looking for the magic...there were way too many booths selling the same thing - oils, vinegars, soaps, jewelry...not anything that really said Christmas or rang my bell. The mister was impressed by the parking garage and the fact that we found our way in and out of it.
Even though the show was not what I had hoped, it certainly didn't spoil our day. After the Christmas show we headed to Vashon Island to attend a Tea for American Hero Quilts and we ended our day at the Southcenter Mall...which was like going to a third world country! We heard at least a dozen different languages in the first hour we were there! But I'm way off topic...more about AHQ and the rest of our adventure in a later post. Let's get back to the matter at hand, Pumpkin Cornbread...it's perfect with soup, salad, for breakfast or a late night snack. You are going to want to make this, and soon.
This is rich and moist with the flavors of fall baked right in - it almost has a nutty taste with a very, very slight crunch from the cornmeal and the molasses and dark brown sugar lend a richness and depth making this one dang fine savory treat! If you make your Thanksgiving stuffing with cornbread, which is a Southern thing, then you might want to consider using this cornbread in place of your usual...it will definitely take it up a notch! Serve it with Honey Butter (click on that link, this Honey butter is the best ever...no lie, stick a needle in my eye and die without pie in a sty!) this one gets 5 Dangs on the ol' Dang Meter...ring it out loud and clear, 'cause this Pumpkin Cornbread is dang, dang, dang, dang, dang good!
Pumpkin Cornbread - Pots and Pins
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup cornmeal
2 large eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree (unsweetened, canned or freshly prepared)
3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 tablespoons molasses
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9-inch deep dish pie pan and set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine flours, baking powder, salt and spices. In a separate bowl combine eggs, pumpkin, brown sugar, oil and molasses and whisk together until smooth. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add in the pumpkin mixture. Using a wooden spoon, stir until just combined, do not over mix. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until top is browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature. Serves 8.
Just look at that! It bakes up nice and high so you can slice it in half, slater on the butter and enjoy two pieces in one sitting!
(There are several blogs I read that regularly end each post with what they had posted in previous years. I used to do that, too, but one day I ran out of time and then the next day I forgot and before I realized it I had not posted the "ago's" for several months! Today, to celebrate the start of my SEVENTH year of blogging(!) I took the time to do the "ago's" - more for me than you because I like to see what I was doing way back when - and I'll try to remember to do it from now on - now that's funny, me remembering to do something...well, a girl can dream!)
One year ago: Maple Cakelets
Two years ago: Gift Block Tutorial
Three years ago: Thanksgiving Banner
Four years ago: Parsnip and Parmesan Soup
Five years ago: Chocolate Cola Cake with Toasted Coconut Pecan Frosting
Six years ago: Pumpkin Butter
