STEAMED PUMPKIN PUDDINGS WITH TENNESSEE RUM HARD SAUCE AND PUMPKIN SEED BRITTLE
When the subject of pumpkins comes up, minds most often go to pumpkin pie, but this is only one of so many uses for pumpkin. In our kitchens it is used in soup, purees, and salads, and is even sometimes dried and ground into a fine powder that finds its way onto desserts and savory dishes alike to add a dash of burnt orange color. Our chefs' favorite culinary pumpkin is the Kentucky field pumpkin, a variety that dates back to 1700. This old type is light tan and has excellent keeping qualities, an important factor for our ancestors because they could rely on them to last through the winter. True to its name, hard sauce-the classic accompaniment to steamed pudding-is as firm as the beaten butter from which it is made. It's so easy to make, requiring little more than a few ingredients and a mixer. Very little rum is used in this recipe, yet its flavor is what gives the sauce character. We love our Tennessee Prichard's rum, a dark rum with deep caramel tones. You can use Bacardi Dark, or, even better, choose an interesting rum with a distinct flavor. This recipe is the place to use the pretty custard cups you inherited from your grandmother but can never find a reason to use. Or, if you have a good supply of six-ounce ramekins, these are beautiful unmolded.
Provided by Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 3h5m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- To prepare the puddings, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush the inside of six 6-ounce heat-proof custard cups or ramekins with the melted butter. Invert the custard cups on a baking sheet and refrigerate until the butter sets.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer), beat the 8 tablespoons butter and the cane sugar on high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the yolk and the vanilla, beating well and scraping down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula after each addition. Beat in the pumpkin puree and scrape down the bowl.
- Add the flour mixture in thirds, alternating with the buttermilk, beating each time only until the batter is smooth.
- Use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to carefully divide the batter among the custard cups, taking care to keep the rims clean. Gently tap each cup to remove any air bubbles.
- In a lidded baking dish or Dutch oven large enough to hold the custard cups with at least 1/2 inch of space between them, place a folded kitchen towel (to hold the cups steady). Arrange the custard cups in the dish. Pour enough very hot tap water into the baking dish to come halfway up the sides of the cups. Cover the baking dish tightly with the lid.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a pudding comes out clean and the top springs back when gently pressed, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the lid and let the puddings cool in the water bath for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the hard sauce. In a medium bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer set to high speed until fluffy. Reduce the speed to low and add the confectioners' sugar. When the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to high, and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Fold in the nutmeg and rum with a rubber spatula; you should have about 1/2 cup. Use within 1 hour or transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Allow the sauce to come to room temperature before serving.
- The puddings can be served warm or at room temperature. If serving directly in the custard cups, serve at once or let cool on a wire rack. If unmolding, to serve the puddings warm as soon as they come out of the water, run a thin knife around the inside of each ramekin to loosen the puddings, then invert into a serving plate. To serve at room temperature, place the ramekins on a wire rack until the puddings cool before inverting them onto serving plates. Top each serving with about 1 tablespoon of the hard sauce and a large shard of brittle.
- Generously butter a rimmed baking sheet or line it with a silicone baking mat. In a large skillet, cook the pumpkin seeds over medium heat, stirring often, until they are lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
- In a large, heavy, deep saucepan, combine the cane sugar, corn syrup, 1/4 cup water, and 2 tablespoons butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a long-handled wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium high, and bring the mixture to a boil. Let the mixture boil without stirring until it turns deep amber, 8 to 12 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and carefully stir in the baking soda, vanilla, and salt. The mixture will bubble vigorously and expand in the pan. Immediately stir in the pumpkin seeds and pour onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a heat-proof spatula to gently but quickly spread the brittle into a thin, even layer.
- Let the brittle cool to room temperature. Run an offset spatula under the brittle to help loosen it, or gently twist the pan. Break the brittle into shards. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
STEAMED PUMPKIN FOR PUMPKIN PIE
This recipe gives a moist, but not watery, pumpkin mash for pie filling. I used this for "Vanderbilt's Rich Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie", and the results were excellent. Everyone commented it was the best pumpkin pie they'd ever had!
Provided by Mme M
Categories Pie
Time 50m
Yield 2 pies
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Cut the pumpkin into manageable pieces, then cut off the rind.
- Cut the pumpkin flesh into pieces that are the same size.
- Remove all seeds and stringy bits.
- Steam the pumpkin pieces over water for about 20 minutes.
- It doesn't take long until it mashes up under the pressure of a fork.
- Empty the pumpkin pieces into a colander, and toss the pumpkin as you would when you drain pasta.
- Prepare to toss and drain this pumpkin from time to time, for about a day and a half. There seems to be a lot of water that continues to seep out. (Additionally, you could put the pumpkin into a dish towel, and squeeze it, if you are not sure you have got as much water out as possible.).
- At a certain point, not much water comes out.
- You can reheat the very mushy amount (which yields only about 3 cups!), and add your pumpkin pie spices (clove, cinnamon, allspice, ginger). The spices will be more intense if you blend it all when the pumpkin mash is warm.
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN PUREE- STEAMED OR BOILED
When I was young, my mother made pumpkin pie from homemade pumpkin puree made from fresh pumpkins or hubbard squash we grew ourselves. Ahhhhh... good times! Being lazy, I have developed my own very simple method for creating pumpkin puree, which, surprisingly, has not been posted here previously. My method is faster and easier than the other recipes, which require baking the pumpkin for an hour or more and removing the skin, before or after cooking. I believe that you save a lot of the nutrition, particularly vitamin A, that would be lost if you were to remove the skin. You will be amazed at how smooth the puree is, even with the skin blended in. I also wanted to include some excellent notes from other contributors, or you can reference their recipes, on selecting the pumpkin or squash to make the puree. Notes from PainterCook (Recipe #290894) on hubbard squash Hubbard squash is sweeter and heartier than pumpkin.... You can easily substitute Butternut Squash with great results... Notes from Kim D. (Recipe #331853) on selecting a pumpkin I always use "sugar" pumpkins, also known as "pie" pumpkins.... much smaller ... and are much more tender and flavorful. --CHOOSING THE RIGHT PUMPKIN-- ... always choose a pumpkin that is free of blemishes and have been harvested with their stems intact. The pumpkin should feel heavy for their size and should have a dull skin. A pumpkin with a shiny skin was either harvested too early or was waxed by the grower. --STORING PUMPKINS-- Store pumpkins in a cool, dry place at 45F - 60F for up to a month, or refrigerate for up to 3 months. To store pumpkins for an extended time, wash the skins of the pumpkin with a solution of 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach to 1 gallon water to disinfect the skins and discourage the growth of mold.
Provided by Chef George P
Categories Dessert
Time 1h
Yield 2 varies, 1-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Thoroughly wash the outside of the pumpkin.
- Remove the stem and fibrous material around the stem and the bottom of the pumpkin.
- Cube the pumpkin into large pieces.
- Place in a large pot with just enough water to steam the pumpkin.
- Boil for about 30 minutes or until both the pumpkin and the pumpkin skin are tender.
- Blend the steamed pumpkin, with the skin, in a blender set on puree until smooth.
- You can freeze for months or store in a refrigerator a couple of days prior to use in any recipe calling for pumpkin puree.
- Servings and yield depend on the size of the pumpkin and what recipes the puree is used inches.
Nutrition Facts :
Tips for Steaming Pumpkin for Pumpkin Pie:
- Choose the right pumpkin: Select a small, sugar pumpkin or pie pumpkin that is firm and has a deep orange color.
- Cut the pumpkin in half: Use a sharp knife to cut the pumpkin in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
- Steam the pumpkin: Place the pumpkin halves cut-side down in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Cover and steam for 15-20 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender.
- Cool and mash the pumpkin: Remove the pumpkin from the steamer and let it cool slightly. Then, scoop the flesh out of the skin and mash it with a fork or potato masher.
- Use the pumpkin puree in your favorite pumpkin pie recipe: Steamed pumpkin puree can be used in any pumpkin pie recipe. It is a great way to add a delicious, homemade flavor to your pies.
Conclusion:
Steaming pumpkin is a quick and easy way to prepare it for pumpkin pie. It results in a smooth, flavorful puree that can be used in any pumpkin pie recipe. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your steamed pumpkin is perfect for your next pie.
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