Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin breakfast food...mmm, pumpkin waffles to be exact!
Usually, pumpkin breakfast food means sneaking pumpkin pie with coffee, but not this time! Pumpkin waffles can be made the night before and heated in the morning either in the toaster or in the oven en mass. They freeze well, too!

Now, Thanksgiving day breakfast can consist of more than nibbles and samples of Thanksgiving fare!

My four year old foodie mentioned he wanted these waffles at the Thanksgiving table as well. He wants them for Thanksgiving breakfast, Thanksgiving lunch and Thanksgiving dinner....enough said.

These waffles are that good!

Pumpkin Waffles

adapted from ratherbeswimmin', Recipezaar.com

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon allspice
2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 tablespoon apple juice

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup cooked pumpkin or canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons canola oil

Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl, set aside.

In another bowl, combine eggs, milks, juice, vanilla extract pumpkin, and oil.
Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.*

Batter wil be thick and smooth.
Pour onto a hot greased waffle maker.

Cook according to manufacturer's directions.

Makes 9 waffles

Pancakes:

Pour onto a hot greased griddle.

Turn when bubbles form on top of pancakes.
Cook until second side is golden.

* The original recipe was for pumpkin pancakes, but the batter can be used interchangeably.
* Over whisking will yield touch waffles/pancakes

* We used maple syrup and margarine on our waffles.

* This recipe came with a Hot Cider Syrup recipe, tho we did not try it, I'll post it for those who want to try a new waffle/pancake topper!

* Let me know how it turned out for you!

Hot Cider Syrup

by ratherbeswimmin', Recipezaar.com

3/4 cup apple cider
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

In a saucepan, combine the syrup ingredients.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Let stand for 30 minutes before serving

Hot Toddies

Autumn in the Pacific Northwest lends itself to forecasts of rain, rain, rain. However, it really all depends in what area you live. We take advantage of 'sun'/cloud breaks, and enjoy our time outdoors, as in the beach. We spend more time there during the off seasons, than in the summer...go figure! During our walk we see plenty of seals popping their heads out of the water, usually vocal seagulls quietly bobbing in the bay, and the remnants of autumn leaves clinging onto branches. Looking up, a sparse cover of orange and yellow leaves halfheartedly hide tree limbs intimately entwined...

A crisp autumn day at the beach sends us home yearning for hot drinks. J., a hot apple cider, me an adult oriented cider concoction. I am not aware if there is a drink like this already out there, but apple cider can be taken to a new level with some '43', a vanilla liqueur. It is transformed into Carmel Apple in a cup. Cold or hot, it is mesmerizing!

I was in the mode of experimentation, so it didn't stop there!

Yesterday, I received a bag of Thanksgiving blend as a gift and reading the write up, it was described as being full bodied and herbal...herbal?
I had to try it! I expected a pumpkin spice after note or something along those lines. Wrong. It was actually medium bodied with a slightly sweet touch at the end. It made for a good afternoon pick me up...of course by no means plain coffee! I added flavored creamer, Parisian Almond Creme with some cinnamon schnapps. Parisian Almond Creme is more cinnamon creme with almond essence, according to my palate. I figured cinnamon schnapps would be the perfect accessory. I tend to prefer my drinks a bit on the worthwhile side, as in heavy handed, so next time I think I'll add a little more kick!

Enjoy!


Caramel Apple
* adjustable to suit your taste

Apple juice
43 liqueur

Heat apple juice
Add 43
Stir
Melt into your seat and enjoy!

Coffee in a Schnapp

Brewed Thanksgiving blend coffee
Parisian Almond Creme flavored creamer
Cinnamon schnapps

Add creamer and schnapps to coffee
Stir
Feel the liquid joy!

*I'm positive the coffee could be substituted with your favorite blend