Pumpkin Challenge: Day 11

Ahhhh, the long weekend has finally arrived.

With haste, I made my way home today to take part in a bit of decompression and relaxation away from the bubble of school and work. I knew that pumpkin purée was at my disposal, but I was not sure what I would be making for the challenge today - in a lovely coincidence, someone allowed me to take a break from pumpkin-item creation by bringing over a Thanksgiving treat for my family.

The surprise treat that took pumpkin responsibility off of my shoulders? 

Pumpkin cake.

Dairy-free!

The experience of eating this cake can best be described, I believe, as what eating a fluffy pumpkin pie would be like. A fluffy pumpkin pie sprinkled with raisins and accents of citrus, as it was lightly flavoured with orange zest. An aroma of cinnamon and citrus notes emanated from the dish every time the lid was lifted off of it.

This cake allowed for a little bit more relaxing, studying, and reflection to be done - and it also meant that there was a cake for me to eat. That alone makes it great - the flavours and time-saving aspects merely enhance the magic of it.

Pumpkin Challenge: Days 9 and 10

The last couple of days have been demanding, so the Pumpkin Challenge was not updated accordingly - HOWEVER, I always make time to include pumpkin in my October days! Thusly, there is an update for each day.

Thursday was a busy day, so I sought out an easy recipe that happened to coincide with my plain, leftover pasta - vegan. pumpkin. mac n' cheese.

What?

I could not believe it, but it was delicious. As always, a thank-you to Chocolate-Covered Katie for this unique and healthy vegan twist on a classic snack/meal. It was very filling, but in the nutritious sort of way - have you experienced the difference I am speaking of here? There is a difference between filling = too much food, and filling = your body has taken in what it needs (in my experience, at least). This pasta did the latter sort of filling for me.

Today - FRIDAY. It felt like one of the most necessary of Fridays this term so far, and my craving for a cookie-esque treat was piquing around 8PM. To satisfy this craving, I chose to go with a no-bake pumpkin oatmeal cookie recipe. Quick, easy, and did not require the oven (which was occupied by a butternut squash being roasted with cinnamon!).

Pumpkin Challenge: Day 8

Halfway through the week, the sun out after a nice, cool morning, and hosting a music exchange event felt like a good day to share more than just good music - it felt like a day to share pumpkin muffins.

In a Pumpkin Challenge plot twist, I did not use a CCK recipe today! I altered a "Skinny Pumpkin Muffin" recipe to make it vegan. I made a batch of mini muffins and used leftover batter to make two small pumpkin "loaves" (though they were not very bread-like in their density - much more like banana bread!).

I quite enjoyed this recipe, and would likely return to it - the smell of pumpkin in the kitchen and the aroma that followed me and my freshly-baked goodies was enough to make me want to make it at least three more times.