Nov 26, 2010

My Turkey Day Duties

For this year’s Thanksgiving, I was in charge of making an appetizer and a dessert. I love showing my family that healthy can equal delicious, so I chose two recipes that would do just that. On Thanksgiving Eve I made the dessert: Pumpkin Chiffon Cake by Rachael Ray. I’m not usually a fan of RR or her recipes, but this one caught my eye bc a)the name sounds fancy and b)it was lightened up.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 eggs, separated, plus 5 egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
  • Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, the pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and salt. DSC_1194 (1024x732)

  2. In a medium bowl, combine the egg yolks and pumpkin puree. Stir the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture until smooth.DSC_1204 (1024x683)

  3. Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the remaining 9 egg whites at medium speed until foamy, about 2 minutes. With the machine on, gradually whisk in the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar; increase the speed to high and beat until stiff but still moist, 1 to 2 minutes.DSC_1209 (1024x683)

  4. Add one-quarter of the egg white mixture to the pumpkin batter, folding with a rubber spatula just until no streaks remain. DSC_1210 (1024x683)Fold in the remaining egg white mixture in the same manner. DSC_1213 (1024x683)Pour the batter into a 10-inch tube pan with a removable bottom and bake until springy to the touch and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 55 minutes.DSC_1214 (1024x731)DSC_1235 (1024x733)

  5. Let cool in the cake pan for 5 minutes, then invert the pan onto a narrow-necked bottle and let hang upside down until completely cool, about 1 1/2 hours.  (I REFUSED to put a hole in my cake, so I let it cool on top of cans.)DSC_1237 (1024x683)Place the cake right side up and remove the pan. To serve, dust the cake with the confectioners’ sugar.

For a beautiful cake, this was quite easy! While it baked, Lucy and I did some Christmas decorating and arts & crafts. I picked up these mugs for our nightly tea seshes. So adorbs!! I am the penguin and she is the snow(w0)man.DSC_1216 (1024x732)I also found place mats. Target has the best seasonal crap. Omggggg I’m obsessed.DSC_1222 (1024x683)DSC_1221 (1024x683)

And for $2, I found crafts! DSC_1225 (728x1024)This kept me busy and away from the oven window.DSC_1227 (1024x683)

Here’s the finished product hanging on our front door – inside and outside. I’m sure the neighbors think we’re 5-year-olds.DSC_1233 (731x1024)So back to the cake. The pumpkin cake made the twenty-six mile drive safely!DSC_1266 (1024x683)

This was one of the best desserts I have ever made. My family is full of chocolate fanatics, but every single one of us loved this. Even the baby ate two slices! At only 122 calories per slice, this is the perfect indulgence. We could not get over how light and moist it was. Move over pumpkin loaves and cookies, the pumpkin chiffon cake is the best yet!DSC_1290 (1024x683)DSC_1298 (1024x683)As if you could even focus on a vegetable right now, I do want to show the app too. I simply took a bunch of fresh asparagus, snapped off their tails, and parboiled them for a few minutes. DSC_1250 (1024x683)I wrapped them in prosciutto while drinking a mimosa…DSC_1252 (1024x683)and then roasted them in balsamic and honey with pistachios. Easy and delicious!DSC_1256 (1024x683)

Hope everyone had a fatttttttttttttttt Thanksgiving!

29 comments:

  1. I love pumpkin pie, but I've never tried a pumpkin chiffon pie before. I want to make this for my family at Christmas!

    Hahaha that door hanger is adorable! Who says crafts are only for kids? ;)

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  2. I'd be all over that asparagus... amazing!

    And I heart the penguins! Sooooo cute!

    Happy Friday!

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  3. I am usually not a fan of RR either..but this does look really good! Glad it turned out for ya :-)

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  4. that pumpkin cake looks super yummy!

    and that little penguin is adorable.

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  5. Nice work on your additions! That RR recipe does look pretty darn good. I am always looking for lighter desserts. I just got your text. That is AWESOME. I told Josh...hes obviously excited.

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  6. CUTE PENGUINS !! :D

    that cake sounds awesome... I need to star this and make it sometime over the holiday...

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  7. Ooh I'm saving the chiffon cake recipe!! Those mugs are CUTE :)

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  8. DEFINITELY a fat Thanksgiving! Asparagus in prosciutto looks delicious and I am super jealous of your Christmas arts and crafts - so happy that it is officially Christmas season!!

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  9. That cake looks yum! And that penguin door hanger, beyond adorable!

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  10. Mmm mmm mmm! I think pumpkin cake is one of the most underrated cakes out there...It's always so moist and delicious! (But not always light, which is why this recipe ROCKS!).

    I love prosciutto! Wrap it around asparagus and I think I'd be in heaven.

    Love the new layout!

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  11. Both of those look delish! I've never had a pumpkin chiffon cake but now I am tempted to make one :) Have a good rest of the weekend!

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  12. Woah. Hello new blog layout. Looks AMAZING! I love it. And I love the header. You look adorable, as usual. Speaking of adorable, I really want your penguin mug. Too cute! :)

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  13. hey, send me a slice of that cake! looks so yummy. any the asparagus? delishhhhh, girl! job well done.

    the mugs you found are super cute as is the door hanger. crafty, oh so crafty!

    glad your thanksgiving was awesome!

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  14. Is the flour self-rising or all-purpose??

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  15. I saw that pumpkin chiffon recipe....glad to hear it was yummy. And I love your wrapped asparagus and snowmen art projects!

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  16. Yummy looking cake!
    I just bought that door hanger for my daughter...and she is 5 ;)
    Love the asparagus too!!!

    Jen
    http://jenslosinit.blogspot.com/

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  17. I want that asparagus.....like NOW!!!

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  18. that asparagus and cake both look sooooo delish!!!!

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  19. Asparagus look really yummy!!! I'm definitely going to try it! I missed you over the weekend!!!!

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  20. Totally making that pie. And running out to Target. I freaking love Christmas stuff!

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  21. OMG...I am loving the new look on your blog!! Great banner!!! I need to revamp mine now, you're inspiring me, LOL...

    Looks like you came through with your cooking on Thanksgiving! Hope you had a great one!

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  22. Great cake! Glad it turned out so well, made the 26-mile trek and looked so pretty!! The door hanger is too cute - great penguin hat!

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  23. Only 122 calories?!? That rocks -- way to go :) I lighten my Thanksgiving pumpkin pie by omitting the crust completely..mmm love!

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  24. Girl, you are an inspiration! See we can have our fun food and stay healthy! I love it! your cake and asparagus look amazing and I will gladly invite myself over anytime :)

    Have a beautiful night!

    xxoo

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  25. Ahh I love the idea of the chiffon cake. Too bad no one in my family will eat pumpkin for 362 days... except me

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  26. 1. LOVE the pumpkin cake!
    2. the penguin doorhangers are adorable. trust that once mary reads your blog, she will be running to buy some at target.
    3. i am decorating this weekend!

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  27. That pumpkin cake looks SO good!
    I LOVE target- I got the cutest reindeer placemats there just last week. I have to keep myself out of that section..otherwise my cart piles up & my wallet lightens up- lol!

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