An Homage to the Great Pumpkin King

An Homage to the Great Pumpkin King

Again, I shall harp on the changing of the seasons.  I have come to realize that I really love fall.  It's chilly but still sunny (at least in California).  It smells nice like fresh air and wet leaves.  Basically, it's awesome.  So I have been celebrating the only way I know how, by eating and drinking!

I decided to try out this recipe courtesy of Yumsugar.com (and yes I am obsessed) for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.  The result: amazing!  One coworker even told me I should start a side-business making cookies.  Another called me Rachel la Galletera (roughly translated, Rachel the Cookie-teer).  So mission accomplished.   Please try making these, they are so good.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp clove
pinch of ground ginger
1/ 2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, room temperature
15 oz can of pure pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 cups chocolate chips ( I used dark chocolate chunks. What can I say, I'm indulgent)

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Sift together (or whisk in small bowl) flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger together and set aside.

         3.  Beat butter, brown sugar and sugar together in a large mixer bowl.

         4.  Add pumpkin and vanilla and mix until incorporated.

         5.  Add egg and beat well until fully incorporated.

         6.  Gradually (I do it in 3 batches) beat in flour mixture.

         7.  Stir in chocolate chips.

 

           8.  Drop rounded spoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet

           9.  Bake for 13-15 minutes until edges start to brown.

 

                                                                                               Serve with Irish Cocoa and enjoy!

                                                                                                   

When Irish Eyes are Smiling. . .

When Irish Eyes are Smiling. . .

It's probably because they are drunk.  But according to the song. . .

Sure, tis' like the morning spring! In the lilt of Irish laughter, you can hear the angels sing!

Sooo I'm not sure but I'm guessing that someone Irish wrote this song. Because as an Irishwoman myself, and not to be self deprecating, but my laughter is nothing like an angel's song. In the spirit of honesty I'll have to say; it. is. better. 

  Nothing induces Irish laughter (or Irish modesty) like a wee bit o' alchy.  Now I don't drink like I used to because I don't like vomiting or being arrested but I still love a good drink. As the temperatures have finally been dipping down to something bearable I decided to whip up a nice warm batch of Irish Cocoa.

The recipe to follow is a modification of the classic Irish Coffee.  It was modified mostly due to my inability to tolerate caffeine well and only partially due to the fact that I found some questionably old Nestle powdered cocoa in my cupboard.

Rachel's Irish Cocoa (or Cheapy McCheaperson's Irish Coffee)

plus a lot of:

 Add a dash of milk, the possibility of Jameson's Irish Whiskey, and you're all set!

Happiness, is a Warm Gun Mama. . .

Happiness, is a Warm Gun Mama. . .

So do you ever have one of those days, where whether it be baking, house-shopping, or simply dealing with the human race (can we say Sunday drivers!!!!) its all just too much to handle ? We'll I know I have those more often than I'd like.  This picture just tickles my fancy and speaks to those days where I'm more annoyed than I can even express.  I get so much joy out of the juxtaposition of the domesticity of a  cake and the violence of a gun. Is it scary if I say this is so me? This will be another addition to my upcoming move, even though after today's search I feel that everything in Santa Barbara is overpriced and overrated.  I blame the rich fascist regime that governs this town. . .