Pumpkin parfait. TNS

Meagan Hurley

Fall is full swing with Thanksgiving almost upon us. So, in order to spice up your seasonal dishes, here are two pumpkin recipes perfect for your fall dinner parties.

PUMPKIN PARFAITS

Use leftover pumpkin in a parfait to minimise wasting food.

Ingredients

1 envelope unflavoured gelatine

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

3 eggs, separated

3/4 cup milk

1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin or home-cooked thick pumpkin puree

1/2 pint heavy cream

Method

1. In a medium saucepan thoroughly stir together the gelatine, 1/4 cup of the sugar, the salt, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.

2. In a small mixing bowl beat together the egg yolks and milk until combined; gradually stir into gelatine mixture.

3. Add pumpkin and mix well. Place over low heat and stir constantly until gelatine dissolves, about 5 minutes.

4. Chill, stirring occasionally, until mixture mounds slightly when dropped from a spoon. In a medium mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gradually beat in the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and continue to beat, if necessary, until stiff peaks form; fold into pumpkin mixture.

5. In a small mixing bowl without washing beater, beat cream until stiff. In parfait glasses alternate layers of pumpkin mixture and cream

6. Chill 2 or 3 hours before serving. Garnish, if desired, with extra whipped cream and finely chopped nuts.

PUMPKIN SOUFFLE

In the 1980s, more savoury pumpkin recipes started popping up, like this soufflé.

Ingredients

2 cups pumpkin puree

3 eggs, beaten

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

3 tablespoons minced parsley

3 tablespoons finely chopped green onions

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon basil

1 clove garlic, chopped or pressed

1/3 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

Method

1. Combine pumpkin and eggs. Add remaining ingredients.

2. Pour into buttered 1 1/2-quart casserole and bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned about 30 to 45 minutes.