Pumpkin Isn't Just for Thanksgiving....plus a Giveaway!

I've often wondered why we only buy canned pumpkin during the months of October, November and December. Don't worry, I'm guilty of this too.

I only seem to eat pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving even though I LOVE it. Yummy pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting only seem to show up during the winter months. Why is this?

Sorry, I don't have an answer for you......other than I brought pumpkin back. Yep, it's February and I used a can of pumpkin this week.

We often have breakfast for dinner. It's easy, comforting, and well, frankly I don't understand the people who can ONLY eat breakfast during the hours of 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. One of my favorite things to do is order breakfast for my meal at those few and far between restaurants that serve it all day long. To me there is nothing better than an omelet or waffles during the day.

Here is what I whipped up the other day. Actually, this batter can be made the day ahead if needed and just kept in the fridge. Once less step to do when you get home at night! I know, it's looks like a LOT of ingredients, but trust me, it's just dump and stir. So easy.

Pumpkin Pancakes

1 1/2 c. flour (I used 1 c. whole wheat, 1/2 c. white)

1 1/2 t. baking powder

1 1/2 t. baking soda

2 eggs

1 1/2 c. buttermilk (I used skim milk)
1/2 can pumpkin

2 T. butter, melted

1 t. vanilla

1 T. sugar (I used agave nectar)

1/2 t. salt

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. pumpkin pie spice

1/4 c. flax seed

Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. Mix all wet ingredients together and combine with the dry ingredients. Batter will be slightly lumpy. Pour onto hot griddle, when bubbles form, flip and continue cooking for a minute on the other side.

See the modifications I made to the recipe above? Adding in some whole wheat flour, flax seed and substituted the sugar for agave nectar. These were delicious! I served it along side some turkey sausage links that were flavored with maple syrup. Does anyone else pour maple syrup over their sausages? I do!

The hubby raved, and claimed "This would be a perfect meal after a day of hunting." Ugh....thought hunting season was over, but suddenly it was brought back into our conversation mix. Moving on....

In other news, head on over to Food, Fit & Fun, as Mary is giving away a Le Creuset 10.5″ x 7″ square baking dish and a Le Creuset 7″ x 5″ baking dish. The winner will have the opportunity to pick the color of their choice!

I want RED.

You have until Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 12 a.m. to enter. If you win, please invite me over for dinner.