Monday 31 October 2011

Well done, Ma




Hah, hah and hah!

I tamed the beast. I snubbed the snob. I sewed. (I just sang that in my best operatic voice)

Last week, I told you that Singer and I weren't really getting along, remember? Well, we're doing better this week. One afternoon, I just took off one of our pillowcases, and cut it, and sewed it, and appliquéd it, till it wasn't a pillowcase anymore. And when I finished, I whooped a shrill whoop, danced a little dance, and said 'yes' three times. And my daughter watched me with a grin on her face, and said 'Well done, Ma'.

Here's what I made - a reversible bag for Chotto-ma. Tell me what you think.






And here's another 'first' - we carved a pumpkin, Chotto-ma, D and I. Yes, this is the first pumpkin-face we have ever carved. For a while, Chotto-ma waited for the pumpkin to change into a fairytale carriage (because surely all pumpkins must do that), but this is what we had to settle for.




And the last 'first' - a pumpkin cake. I scooped out enough pumpkin from pumpkin-face to bake a cake that was rich and moist. And as healthy as a cake can be. It was full of texture, with the warm, roasted smell of pumpkin, paprika and pine-nuts. And a hint of sherry.

Happy Halloween, everyone.



Pumpkin, paprika & pine-nut cake

2 cups grated pumpkin
2 cups plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tbs paprika powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup pine-nuts, roasted
2 eggs
3/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tbs softened butter
2/3 tbs sherry




Mix the grated pumpkin and paprika and keep aside.
Put the rest of your dry ingredients in a bowl and mix very well.
In another bowl mix all the wet ingredients well.
Now pour the wet mix into the dry mix, and with a wooden spoon, mix it all in till smooth.
Add the pumpkin and the pine-nuts, and give it a good stir
Grease your cake tin with some olive oil, and pour in your batter.
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 160 degree C, for 45-50 minutes.



7 comments:

  1. i would say Awsm Pia! That bag looks perfect .. and so cute with those buttons :)
    I love pumpkins but the husband is just not a fan so i hardly cook with it!

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  2. kankana, i have a couple of pumpkin hating friends who loved this cake. they didn't realise it had pumpkin till i told them. so, you might just get it past hubby :)

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  3. mummum well done!!!! loved the bag what a start!and the pumpkin so beautiful& glowsome!!!!

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  4. That cake looks delicious! And it has very little butter! Thanks for the recipe.

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  5. Thanks Laura :) Cutting down on the butter is the only way I can bake as often as I like, and eat what I bake!

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  6. Hey you! thats an adorable bag! i'm in awe... i hv always loved the 'idea' of sewing stuff and designing my own dresses and just churning out all these amazing things on a sewing machine... But it has always remained just an idea! :D i find a sewing machine tooo intimidating! even though like ur mom, i hv grown up with my grandma sewing the coolest of clothes for me, applique work cushion covers and tablecloths, and what-not! sigh... but i shall look at ur cool sewing and get my kick out of it ;)

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  7. hey swati, it's always so lovely hear from you. tell me about 'intimidating'! i was crouching in terror just at the sight of singer. but go out and get yourself one - apparently, it doesn't bite! :)

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