Pumpkin Season

Ohhh Autumn. How lovely it is to see you again! I have missed your delicious scents, your mellow winds, and your warm colors. You always sneak in and remind me just how good it feels to curl up on the couch with my favorite book a cup of hot coffee. In Van Morrison’s “Autumn Song,” he describes Autumn as having your love by your side as you go home into the crispness of night. I like that. But I like pumpkins more :)

Pumpkin Banana Spice Smoothie
Ingredients:
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 medium-sized banana
3/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup crushed ice
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth, making sure the ice is completely crushed. This makes two 8-10 ounce servings.

Pumpkin Pancakes & Hot Cider Syrup (serves 5)

Ingredients:

Syrup
3/4 cup apple cider or apple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pancakes
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:
1. Combine the syrup ingredients in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat while stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and let simmer, uncovered, for about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 30 minutes in order to thicken.
2. For the pancakes, combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Whisk all other ingredients together in another bowl. Stir into dry ingredients and pour batter onto a greased griddle.
Turn on Van Morrison’s “Autumn Song” and let the flavors of the season take over!

Cheers!
-Bay