Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Taste of Fall


Possible Thanksgiving refreshment recipe: Mexican Pumpkin Punch



* 2 cups packed dark brown sugar
* 4 cinnamon sticks, preferably Mexican
* 1 29-ounce can pure pumpkin (about 3 1/2 cups)
* 2 limes
* Splash of rum (optional)
* Pineapple chunks and/or pecans, for serving (optional)

Directions

Combine 12 cups water, the brown sugar and cinnamon sticks in a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the pumpkin and return to a simmer. Meanwhile, remove the zest from the limes in wide strips using a vegetable peeler; add the zest to the pot and simmer 15 minutes. Let cool, then refrigerate until the liquid is cold and the pumpkin pulp settles to the bottom, 2 to 3 hours.

Working in batches, ladle the liquid into a fine-mesh strainer set over a pitcher (repeat if necessary to strain out all the pumpkin pulp). Discard the pulp and lime zest. Return the cinnamon sticks to the punch and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Pour the punch into ice-filled glasses. Add rum, pineapple and/or pecans, if desired. Serve with the cinnamon sticks.

Photograph by Andrew Mccaul


Recipe from Food Network via Mint

Yum! Yum!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Evolution of the "two headed Jackolantern" - Casa de Schmitt edition

It's been a while but what better time to update a forgotten blog than on Halloween? OK. One day late on that, but Whatever!

We purposely bought an overpriced, mutated "2 headed" pumpkin while passing by a random church on Hamilton Ave and had to buy it since it meant major artistic carving potential.

Oh the possibilities!

Our inspiration:

Two headed pumpkin: Gene Wilder vs. Marty Feldmen = PERFECT



Practice Drawings



Chris' Drawing:




My Drawing:





Finished Product




The question remains.....Did our finished pumpkin really harness the true essence of Gene Wilder?



Sadly, the resemblance may lean more in the direction of Ron Jeremy



The jury is still out.

Hope everyone had a splendid Halloween!