PUMPKIN DATES LOAF

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 cup All purpose Flour
1cup Brown sugar*
1 ¼ cups Fresh Pumkin purée
1/3 cup Vegetable oil
2 Eggs
1/2 cup roughly chopped Dates(lightly floured)
1 tsp Baking powder
½ tsp Baking soda
½ tsp Salt
1 tsp Garam Masala(optional)
½ tsp Cinnamon powder
½ tsp Vanilla extract

Pumpkin Puree

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 180 degree C/350 degree F. Grease and flour a 9" loaf pan (I used a 11" loaf pan).

2.Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a bowl & set aside.

3.In another bowl, combine the sugar, the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk well to combine.

4.Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisk just until combined. Fold in the roughly chopped and lightly floured dates. Switch to a rubber spatula and fold the dates into the batter.

5.Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and pop it into your oven. Bake for about 1 hour, until the top of the loaf is brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Fresh out of the oven

NOTES

* The original recipe calls for 1/2 cup of granulated sugar & 1/2 cup of brown sugar, I used 1 packed cup of brown sugar.

* All-purpose flour could be substituted for Whole Wheat Flour (Atta) for a healthier treat,  but won't taste as good as the AP flour one.

VERDICT: Tastes almost like a moist dates cake, the spices lend it a unique flavour.

PUMPKIN WITH A TINGE OF GARLIC

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Pumpkin(diced)

3 cloves of Garlic

1-2 Green chillies

Mustard Seeds

A pinch of turmeric powder

A Sprig of Curry Leaves

Salt to taste

Oil

METHOD

1.Cook diced up pumpkin with salt and turmeric powder with enough water .Cook till tender(Add more water if needed).

2.Crush garlic along with green chillies. Mash the pumkin once cooked well and add the crushed garlic and chillies.(If there is extra water in the cooked pumpkin, turn flame to high and let the water evaporate)

2.Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds. Once the mustard seeds have popped, add  a sprig of curry leaves. Stir for a few seconds and add in the mashed pumpkin before the leaves burn.

3.Stir well and cook for 5 -7 minutes(Take care not to overcook as the garlic tinge should be just right or it wont taste as good)  and serve warm with rice.