pumpkin Archives - Taste With The Eyes

Basque Pumpkin Cheesecake

We’ve made Basque Burnt Cheesecake several times, and it is always a big hit. With no fruit topping, no crust and five simple ingredients – cream cheese, sugar, salt, eggs, and cream – it is astonishing how absolutely fabulous the original cheesecake actually is…it is baked in a very hot oven so the top and bottom caramelize where the insides remain soft and luxurious.

For Thanksgiving this year, I decided to make a pumpkin version of the Basque Cheesecake instead of serving pumpkin pie. Whoa! Another big hit. It’s rich and ultra creamy; earthy, sweet and pumpkin-y; and flavored with the warm spices of the season.

The cheesecake recipe was originally developed by Santiago Rivera, Chef of La Viña in San Sebastian, Spain. The Chef says, “Its popularity amongst our clients have become La Viña Restaurant’s Cheese Cream Cake a great classic of the San Sebastian cuisine.”

Basque Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

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Pumpkin Ricotta Lasagne #glutenfree

Pumpkin Ricotta Lasagne with Fried Sage #glutenfree

Pumpkin Ricotta Lasagne with Fried Sage
Green Lentil Lasagne Noodles
#vegetarian #glutenfree

It was our pleasure to serve Pumpkin Ricotta Lasagne with Fried Sage at last weekend’s successful benefit “Sip & Savor: A Gluten-Free Experience” to support the Celiac Disease Foundation on behalf of Explore Cuisine.

A pumpkin ricotta mixture seasoned with warm complex pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cloves) is layered with gluten-free green lentil lasagne noodles, plenty of gooey mozzarella, and nutmeg-scented béchamel. Fresh sage leaves fried in butter enhance the seasonal flavors. Due to its overwhelming popularity, I promised to share the recipe here on Taste With The Eyes.

The Celiac Disease Foundation Board of Directors held Sip & Savor in a design center at the state-of-the-art Custom Design & Construction in El Segundo, California – it was a terrific venue for this event.

Design Center in El Segundo, CA

Event proceeds benefited Celiac Disease Foundation, the internationally-recognized non-profit organization that drives diagnosis, treatment, and a cure through research, education, and advocacy to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by celiac disease and non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity.

Pumpkin Ricotta Lasagne with Fried Sage #glutenfree

Explore Cuisine makes an extraordinary noodle for lasagne recipes. It is produced in Italy of green lentil flour (50%), green pea flour, and brown rice flour. These no-boil noodles soak up sauce to two-and-a-half times their size to a perfect al dente texture.

The noodles are full of plant-based pea protein, a lovely pale olive-green color, organic and gluten-free. They are also higher in fiber and lower in carbs than traditional lasagne noodles.

Pumpkin Ricotta Lasagne with Fried Sage Recipe

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Pumpkin Ricotta Wontons, Maple, Pomegranate, Lime

Spiced Pumpkin Ricotta Wontons
Maple Syrup, Pomegranate, Lime Zest, Powdered Sugar

Sweet creamy ricotta is mixed with pumpkin puree, a bit of sugar and salt, plus a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves. Wonton wrappers are filled with this heavenly mixture and fried to a puffy golden brown.

The warm wontons are drizzled with two syrups – maple and pomegranate, dusted with powdered sugar, and sprinkled with pomegranate arils and lime zest for a delightful autumnal dessert. ‘Tis the season for pomegranates and pumpkins!

Pumpkin Ricotta Wonton Recipe

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Sultry Pumpkin Soup – Southwest Flavors, Dressed To Kill

Sultry Pumpkin Soup – Southwest Flavors, Dressed To Kill

Pumpkin, Ancho Chile, Pear
Tortilla Strips, Pumpkin Seeds, Chile de Arbol Flakes, Candied Orange Zest
Cinnamon Crema, Chile Oil

The ancho chile’s complex raisin-like taste complements the pumpkin. Black pepper and cinnamon coax out its deeper flavors. Homemade smoky chile-de-arbol flakes and fiery chile oil add some heat to the relatively mild ancho. Ripe pear and maple syrup bring natural sweetness while orange adds a certain brightness. Tortilla strips add crunch and pumpkin seeds bring an earthy nuttiness. It’s all rounded out by spiced Mexican crema. One just might have a burning desire to try this sultry pumpkin soup with its bold Southwest flavors and adventurous garnishes.

Sultry Pumpkin Soup Recipe

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Savory Little Pumpkins with Labneh, Zaatar, Pumpkin Seed Oil

Savory Roasted Little Pumpkins
Labneh, Zaatar, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Pumpkin Seed Oil

Earthy autumn flavors, intense nuttiness, creamy textures and a bit of crunch describe this petite pumpkin side-dish charmingly served in its own shell.

Green-hued Austrian pumpkin seed oil contrasts with the burnt-orange pumpkin. It is used as a finishing oil, to add a deep complex taste and striking color. Labneh, a strained yogurt, adds rich and tangy notes while zaatar, a spice mix consisting of thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and salt anchors the dish with warm earthy aromas and flavors. Roasted seeds bring the third element of pumpkin to the dish. Served with the lid on, guests are delighted to lift off the top and behold the unexpected presentation and enjoy the wafting aromas of the season.