Entertaining

Simpler, more elegant than a pumpkin pie - make this a day or two in advance & torch it right before service.  A delicious end to a fantastic meal!

Pumpkin Crème Brûlée

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/3 cup plus
• 8 tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla
• 4 cups heavy cream

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350º. In a large bowl mix together the pumpkin puree, egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, maple syrup, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon & vanilla until combined.

In a heavy saucepan, heat the cream just to the boiling point. Pour the cream into the pumpkin mixture stirring to combine. Divide the mixture into 12 six ounce ramekins.

Place the ramekins into a baking pan & add warm water, filing the the pan to halfway up the ramekin. Bake 45-60 minutes until the custard is just set.

Cool thoroughly then refrigerate a minimum of 4 hours. Just before serving, preheat the broiler & sprinkle the top of each custard with 2 tsp. of sugar.

Place under the broiler to caramelize (approx. 1-2 minutes). Or use a culinary torch to achieve the same result. This recipe serves 12.

Move over Starbucks, this pizza brings a whole new meaning to the pumpkin obsession this Fall. 

Pumpkin Curry Pizza

Source: www.urbanaccents.com 

Ingredients:

• 1 pizza crust (frozen dough also available at Well Seasoned)
• 1/4 cup Urban Accents Pumpkin Curry Simmer Sauce, add more if needed
• 1/2 red onion, sliced thin and sauted
• 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced thin and sauted
• 1 cup baby spinach leaves torn
• 1 cup havarti cheese, shredded
• grated Parmesan cheese ,for sprinkling
• fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions:

Set oven to 400 degrees. Place crust on a pizza stone or baking sheet.

Spread pumpkin curry sauce all over pizza and top with red onion, red pepper and spinach. Layer havarti cheese on top.

Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese has completely melted. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and basil over pizza before serving.

We can not get enough of zipzicles and all of the amazing ways to use them. This strawberry vodka champagne cocktail is no exception.

Strawberry Vodka Champagne Cocktails

Ingredients

• 1 lb. strawberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 freshly squeezed lemon juiced
• 1/4 cup Vodka
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 bottle sparkling wine
• 12 Zipzicle pouches

Instructions:

Combine water and sugar in a medium pot and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add strawberries & continue to simmer on medium for about 5 minutes. Once the strawberries start to break down and the water is thick and red they are done.

Remove pot from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. In a blender combine strawberry mixture, lemon juice and vodka. Blend for about a minute.

Using a funnel, fill Zipzicle pouches to the fill line and freeze. Once the pops are frozen, pour a glass of champagne ¾ way full.

Add a Zipzicle pop to each champagne glass. Let the strawberry cocktail melt a little in the glass to create a champagne cocktail.

We love Sangria, it's a Summer staple and this recipe is a must! Feel free to add different types of seasonal fruit to jazz things up!

Summer Sangria

Ingredients:

• 6 oz your favorite local red or white wine
• 2 oz orange liqueur
• 3oz William Paquito Syrup available at Well Seasoned
• 1 ½ cups fruit juice
• Juice & zest from 1 orange

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients in a jug or beverage dispenser. Allow to sit over night for best results. Cheers!

This tropical twist on a traditional mojito just screams summer. 

Pineapple Ginger Mojito 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Fresh Pineapple juice
• 3 Tbsp Ginger Syrup (available at Well Seasoned)
• ¼ cup Fresh Lime juice
• 1 bunch Fresh Mint
• Ice Cubes
• ½ cup Light Rum
• Club Soda

Instructions:

Place mint, lime juice & ginger syrup into a pitcher.Crush with a muddler. Stir in rum & pineapple juice.

Fill 4 tall cocktail glasses with ice. Fill half way with mojito mix and top with club soda. Garnish glasses with a wedge of fresh pineapple.

Everyone should have a recipe for pizza dough in their repertoire! This traditional pizza crust recipe is perfect in the oven or on the grill

Traditional Pizza Dough

Perfect pizza dough recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon active-dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water (be sure it's not hot)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (you may need a bit more)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Instructions:

• Start by mixing the yeast and warm water in a large bowl. Let stand for about 5 mins, it will get a bit foamy
• Stir in the flour and salt with a spatula until you've started to form a ball. Knead dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes. You can also use your dough hook attachment on your stand mixer. You should be left with a ball that springs back when you press it.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a towel, allow to rise for about an hour.  Roll out on a floured surface and add your favourite toppings. Bake at 450 F until it reaches desired crispiness, or grill on the BBQ!
• This will make 2 x 10-inch pizzas.

Chef's Tip: For a crispier crust, substitute bread flour for the all-purpose.