Occasional Threads – Ellen Guerrant

DH says these rolls “taste like fall”.

DOUBLE PUMPKIN DINNER ROLLS

Makes 24

1 cup whole or reduced fat milk

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1 cup canned, solid-pack pumpkin

1 egg

1/2 C butter, room temperature

1 T. instant or quick-rise yeast

2 tsp. salt

5 1/2 cups bread flour

1/2 cup pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds), toasted

4 T. melted butter*

METHOD:

Combine  milk, sugar, pumpkin, egg, butter, yeast, salt and flour in the bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.   (NOTE:  I disolved the yeast in about 1/3 cup of the milk (warmed) before adding it to the other ingredients).  Mix on low speed until combined, then increase speed to medium-low and mix for 5 minutes to knead.  The dough should be soft,  but pull away from the sides of the bowl.  If it is too sticky, add a bit more flour.  Add the pepitas (I gave these a rough chop) and mix until incorporated throughout.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 – 1  1/2 hours.

Punch down dough, then turn it out onto a lightly floured board.  Knead slightly.  Divide dough into two pieces.  Form 12 rolls from each half for a total of 24.  I made small rolls, so results may vary.  Place  rolls on greased or parchment lined cookie sheets.  Cover with plastic wrap (spray with Pam so it won’t stick) and let rise 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until rolls are “light.”

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake 20-25 minutes if you’ve made just 24 rolls); about 15 minutes  for smaller ones.  *Instructions recommend brushing tops of rolls with melted butter before AND  after baking.  I saved a few calories by not doing this.

Recipe source:  I found this in an article by the AP’s Alison Ladman in the Carolina Living section of  ”The Charlotte Observer” about this time last year. In it Ms. Ladman writes, “Adding squash or pumpkin to a dinner roll produces a bread that is soft, slightly sweet and wonderfully rich.  It also helps keep the rolls moist, making it easier to bake them ahead without worrying they will dry out”

For every Thanksgiving and Christmas for as long as I can remember, my aunt Alda made “Three Day Buns.”  Oh my.  They were absolutely divine! Very yeasty, my favorite kind of bread.  I have the recipe, which was my Grandmother’s, but have never made it.  Too much kneading for someone with hand problems.

The recipe for Double Pumpkin Dinner Rolls caught my eye not only because the dough didn’t need kneading, but because it sounded different.  The color and flavor of these rolls are both wonderful, and the dough so easy to handle.  In a marathon session last night, I baked enough to last through the holidays.   Give them a try…. maybe they’ll be a favorite at your house too.  Enjoy!

Bill Guerrant, US Army, Americal Division, Chu Lai, Vietnam

He remains forever changed.

DH in Ukraine working with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)  for The State Department.

My husband’s life has been one of public service.  He has served his country, his home town and many parts of the world well.

Go out of your way today to thank a veteran.

11.11.11

Veteran’s Day

“Hold on My Heart….Throw Me a Lifeline ”  is a healing quilt for my family.

“We Fix Broken Hearts” was created to honor those who heal.  It is a collage of a broken heart being put back together, piece by piece.  The hand images were traced from those of my son’s cardiologists.

Twist and Shout

I spent a lovely morning recently with the Lincolnton NC Piecemakers guild.  They were a gracious and attentive audience for my “Journey of a Quiltmaker” trunk show.  The presentation follows my evolvement from traditional quiltmaker to one whose works speak for me.  My quilts come from my heart and soul.

Everyone pitched in to help pack up quuickly.  After all, we were headed to The Lincoln House for lunch. laughter and good conversation.    Food and laughter?  I’m IN!

Thanks, Piecemakers, for your hospitality.  I had a great time.

All photography courtesy of Fran Love

This beautiful California poppies piece is shown by its maker, Kay Dellinger.  It was created in a Lenore Crawford class.

I spent this morning with the Piecemakers Quilt Guild in beautiful Lincolnton NC.  Mist was still rising from the Catawba River as I headed to the foothills of the Blue Ridge.  I should have planned better and taken a day to enjoy the mountain color.  The leaves are gorgeous.

I was greeted warmly by Fran Love who helped unload my “trunk show.”  I think quilters always enjoy seeing and examining the actual quilts.  We had a great time together seeing lots of my work and members’ show and tell.

I was thrilled to see long-time friend  Doris Phillips in the audience.  Doris was one of the first to welcome me to the Charlotte Quilters Guild when I was a new member many moons ago.  A quilter extraordinaire whose pieces are always perfectly square and hug the wall, Doris is a master in that regard.  I’m sorry we didn’t get our picture taken together.  Next time……

Following the meeting, a bunch of us gathered at The Lincoln House for lunch.  Thanks, everyone.  It was such a fun day!

A few of the great quilters from the Lincolnton Piecemakers Quilt Guild.

It is unseasonably cold in Charlotte, following a week of delightful warmth.  But the knock-out roses, black and blue salvia, angelonia and Becky daisies are still blooming their hearts out.  The gardenias planted last spring are just now beginning to bloom.  Some years, we have roses until December.

This photo above was an experimental shot with my new camera.