Tag Archives: pumpkin

Different kinds of Flats

By

Recently, I was in search of a pan to make individual small round flat corn bread pones. I thought in might be a nice change from my normal pone of cornbread cut in wedge slices. I shopped through all the cake pans and settle on a whoopie pie pan, it seemed the perfect one for my needs. It took me a month of shopping and watching sales before I finally ordered one.For some reason the name ‘Flats’ was going around in my mind in relation to my recipes I was planning to bake in my new pan.
I was glad to get the pan, but had no need for a batch of cornbread flats, so I made a batch of coconut flats. It’s my recipe. They have a light cakey taste.. (yes, I know they’re not flat-flat, but I still call them coconut flats anyway.)

The next batch that I made I adjusted my recipe and made pumpkin flats. The pumpkin flats have a firm-pie-like texture. They tried to stick to the pan. I got them out quickly. As they cooled, we could easily pick them up and eat them by hand.

My next batch of flats was the muffin ones. I’ve made these a couple of times. They’re a nice change from the norm.

I still haven’t made the cornbread flats, but I plan to someday. I plan to make more different kinds of flats. They’re fun to make and a different way to enjoy regular food stuff.

What do you think, am I an old silly-heart
or do you think flats is a good idea?

update 12-1-2017- Here’s a photo of my cornbread flats. I’ll probably make cornbread flats more than regular cornbread from now on.20171128_180521

related post: Chicken slow cooker pot pie and Muffin Flats

.

Pumpkin CheeseCake

By

p1080062-0The stores have started placing shelves in the middle-isles with seasonal baking supplies. Generally, we don’t pay much attention, but the other day a Libby’s Pumpkin Cheesecake mix caught our eye. We decided that since we like pumpkin pie and we also like cheesecake that we may like this mix as well.p1080039We were wrong. Well, not wrong, just disappointed that it tasted too much like a regular old pumpkin pie with a small bit of a tangy taste of cream cheese.

We’re glad we tried it even though we had to throw 3/4 of it away. We won’t be buying it again.
From now on we’ll take our pumpkin pie straight up with maybe a hit of whip cream.

Have a great rest of the week!

.

Plain canned Pumpkin to sooth a dog’s tummy

By

I thought I should post a bit of info about my using canned pumpkin for dog tummy issues.

Our pet Shelibean hates pumpkin, so I’m writing this post about one of our past pets that loved pumpkin.
Penny Puppy was a special girl and we miss her still. I’m happy to share this memory with you.

*Ask your Veterinarian if pumpkin is right for your dog or cat.
*I’m not a veterinarian or anything.

~~~~~*~~~~~

pnpc-2011Many years ago, we had a wonderful member of our family named ‘Penny Puppy’.  She was a boston terrier-beagle-feist.  She enjoyed food and rarely turned her nose up at anything.

Whenever Penny Puppy had tummy issues I’d put a couple heaping tablespoons of plain canned pumpkin over her food. She’d eat it up like it was a tasty treat and it settled her tummy.

*Use ‘plain pumpkin’ not pie pumpkin nor spiced pumpkin.

I’d put the left-over pumpkin from the freshly opened can in an ice cube tray and freeze it.
After it was frozen, I’d put the cubes in a zip-lock bag with the freeze date on it and then put the bag in the freezer for future use.puppmknPenny Puppy loved pumpkin and it didn’t matter if it was fresh or frozen. After the cubes were frozen, if she had tummy issues, I’d give her a pumpkin cube or two. She’d  gobble it down and it was a special treat. She loved anything cold or frozen.

Penny Puppy weighed over 50 pounds, so that’s why I gave her the amount of pumpkin that I did.

*A smaller dog or cat would need a smaller amount.
*Ask your Veterinarian if pumpkin is right for your dog or cat.

Wishing all your pets a happy healthy day!

.

Pumpkin Muffins

By

0P1050644a2Except for a half teaspoon, I had a full 15oz can of freshly opened pumpkin that I needed to store or use.

puppmknI thought about freezing it in cubes to cook with later on, that’s what I usually do.

My husband suggested that I make cookies or bread with it. That sounded good, but also like a lot of work.

I thought for a bit and decided to add some of it to a box of Jiffy Muffin Mix to make pumpkin muffins.

The first batch, I tried to keep it minimal and only add pumpkin pie spice and some of the canned pumpkin to the Jiffy Mix. Unfortunately, it was a big fail. The muffins were heavy and pretty much tasteless. I promptly tossed them in the trash.

The second batch was a winner though.
0P1050632I started the second batch by adding what I thought would make pumpkin muffins taste sweeter and have a better texture. When I was finished adding a half dozen more ingredients to the Jiffy Mix, my batter was large enough for 12 muffins.  They smelled wonderful and baked up beautifully. Even before I tasted one of them, I was pleased with the results.

To give the muffins a bit more sweetness, I made some strawberry cream topping and served it with the muffins. My husband and I really enjoyed the muffins and the strawberry cream together. The 2 different flavors complimented each other deliciously.

It really is fun for me to make new recipes using familiar and basic products. I’m always pleasantly surprised when after a couple tries I get the recipe right and it turns out tasty and edible.

Do you enjoy adding ingredients to familiar mixes to either spruce them up or make something different? Do you have a favorite?

Wishing you happy cooking!

.

SheliBean hates pumpkin

By

P1050649I took this photo of Shelibean when he was relaxing after having a ruff (sic) day. He doesn’t do well with storms and it had stormed for better part of the day.

Sometimes being so upset causes Sheli to have an upset tummy. Pumpkin was always my first choice to settle a dog’s tummy… until Sheli… When Sheli was a puppy I’d try to get him to eat a little pumpkin to settle his tummy and he would have no part of it.

My husband and I discussed it and decided that since Sheli is now an adult dog, he may be more incline to eat pumpkin. I opened the can and dipped out a half teaspoon. My husband tried to give it to him, but Sheli physically turned his nose up at it and put it on ignore.
I tried to give some to him by taking little dabs of the canned pumpkin on my finger and letting him lick it off. That worked for about 1/4 teaspoon and then he refused to take another bite.

I was hopeful that since he’s not very big, that maybe the little bit he ate would help. Thankfully he didn’t have anymore tummy issues.

All the dogs we’ve had in decades past would eat pumpkin like it was sauteed steak.
I’m glad Sheli is a hardy boy and we haven’t had to worry too much about his health.

Does your pets like to eat pumpkin?
Do you use pumpkin for your pets tummy issues?

Wishing for all your pets to be healthy and happy.

.