Pumpkin x 2

I love fall. I love the scent in the cool air. I love the falling leaves. I love the foods of fall. Specifically, pumpkin. Now, I have recently found that some people do not like pumpkin (sinners!), and I do not understand that concept. Does not compute. At this time of year, I live on pumpkin pie. I have an IV of pureed pumpkin hooked up to my arm as we speak (type, whatever). I kid, of course, but I do really, really love pumpkin. Last week we had our monthly office birthday party, and we decided to have a potluck and cake. I always bring a dessert, because if I don't, there won't be any celebrating for me, the lone vegan. I don't care if there is nothing else for me to eat, just so long as I have the sweets in my mouth. Incidentally, there was plenty of veggie-friendly food, as a good friend of mine made vegetarian chili and there were plenty of vegetables and fruits to eat as well. I ate like a king. And I had dessert too, because I made it. I bought a jumbo can of pumpkin and did not want any to go to waste. So I made a pumpkin pie and pumpkin pie brownies. Both were a hit.


Not the best photo. I experienced a wee bit of panic when I realized about 15 minutes before party time that I had not taken pictures of my food. So I hauled ass into the break room to conduct an impromptu photo shoot.

By golly, these are some of the bestest brownies ever. Very fudgy and pumpkiny. A pumpkin-hater deemed these brownies, "just okay." Everyone else was too busy chewing and moaning with pleasure to give their opinion. See our ugly-ass wallpaper in the background? The whole kitchen is like a fruit bowl exploded.

Oh, and I stayed perfectly faithful to both recipes. Why modify a good thing?

Thanksgiving...

this year, as usual, was very non-traditional. We indulged in a large pot of vegetable soup with cornbread muffins. Oh, yeah, there was pumpkin pie; that was the only normal part of the meal. After a non-successful try at the cornbread recipe in V-con (I'm sure it was all my fault!), I pulled out La Dolce Vegan and made Wolffie's "Buttermilk" Cornbread into muffins. I halved the recipe and came out with 7 golden beauties. Some of the best cornbread I have had in a while. I accidentally halved everything but the sugar. Still good.

Unfortunately, I do not have a pic of the soup. It consisted of kidney beans, carrots, potatoes, peas, green beans, onions, corn and tomatoes. It was perfect for the weather we are experiencing. Yesterday we went from the mid-70's to the 40's. It was snowing this morning.

My baby was the pie. I made Bryanna Clark Grogan's tofu-less pumpkin pie this year. Last year I made a tofu based one. Guess which one tasted the best...yeah, NOT the tofu one. Last year was my first experience with a tofu-based pie. I definitely picked up on the soybean aftertaste. This year was a taste success. The pie was creamy and not too spicy. I used 3 Tbsp of cornstarch and I did cut back a bit on the spices after reading other's opinions. It firmed up nicely after sitting all night.

Yes, I was too lazy to make my own crust. It was very late, and I was very tired. Sue me.

Freshly cut. Radiating yumminess. Pure, vegan yumminess. Eat that, omnis. I think I am going to make another one of these for the December birthday party at work.