I Am... How to make the best negroni
To me, the Negroni is the iconic holiday drink. There are cocktails, then there is the Negroni, for many, the cocktail. No other cocktail is as tasty and refreshing in summer, so cheerful and pretty during the holidays, and so easy and simple to make into countless variations. For me, a Negroni is the ultimate holiday cocktail. Firstly, you can make a lot of it at the same time, should you have a larger group. Secondly, it’s pretty and colorful. And finally, it’s perfect with a little spice should you want to go there. Give me a Negroni over gluhwein or eggnog with rum any day. Some people will say they don’t like Negronis because they are too bitter or too sweet. More than likely, they had their first Negroni at a bar that didn’t care. Here is how to make Negroni the right way, one sip and you'll see why it’s the most popular cocktail of the last 100 years and looking to be the most popular cocktail for the next 100 too.
What is a Negroni cocktail
A Negroni is a sweet and slightly bitter tasting drink that's reminiscent of an aperitif, but packs a huge punch, unlike most aperitifs. It’s perfect as a cocktail pre- or during dinner, as the bitter notes highlight the flavors of food really well. The invention of the Negroni goes to a count named Camillo Negroni who wanted something stronger than his usual drink, a Mi-To, named after the twin cities of Milano and Torino, later named the Americano because Americans loved it so much during WW1. A Mi-To was made up of campari, vermouth, and soda. To make the drink stronger, he subbed out the zero ABV soda for gin, and just like that, magic was made.Classic Negroni recipe
The classic Negroni recipe is equal parts gin, campari, and red vermouth, built over ice and served with an orange peel garnish.Negroni Sbagliato
Recently, it's become popular on tiktok to swap the gin for a sparkling wine (ideally, Prosecco). It makes for a lighter, fizzier, more fun cocktail. This one is great both in summer and during the holidays, especially if you love the taste but don’t want to be completely wasted around family. It's also just a great cocktail to serve to people with a lower tolerance for alcohol.Negroni ingredients
Although most sources will tell you that a Negroni has 3 ingredients, a Negroni actually has 5 ingredients: gin, campari, vermouth, ice, and orange peel.Gin
Most people splurge on the gin, and in most bars you’ll find they are very proud of the gin they use. I disagree though, the gin is important, but the punch of the campari and vermouth pretty much kill any subtle herbal nuances top shelf gin will get you. I use whatever gin I have on hand, but usually I use Beefeater. Currently I'm drinking Drumshanbo, a gin with Asian inspired botanicals (star anise and cardamom) that is excellent in a Negroni.Campari
Campari is absolutely needed for a proper Negroni. Accept no substitutes.Vermouth
Here is where, in my opinion, the biggest difference between a good and a great Negroni is made. I try to stay away from the bottom shelf vermouth such as Martini. I’d rather spend my money on a good vermouth over a top shelf gin any day. My favorites are Punt e Mes, Cocchi Torino, and especially Carpano Antica. When I first started drinking Negronis, Punt e Mes was $75+. I was over the moon when we were in Buenos Aires one year and they were the equivalent of $5 a bottle. I brought home 6 bottles. It's thankfully gone down in price as it's gone up in popularity since then. Of the three, I really like Carpano Antica because it comes in a smaller bottle. Vermouth is a wine based liqueur, which means the moment you open it, it starts to degrade. You should keep vermouth in the fridge, and buy only a size you know you can finish in under a month. You know the old maxim never cook with a wine you wouldn’t drink? My experience is that most people have never tasted vermouth on its own. The difference in price between a higher end vermouth and a bottle shelf vermouth is usually just a few dollars, but the taste difference is out of this world.Ice
Invest in a good 2” covered ice cube tray for your cocktails. You don’t need to go crazy and make clear ice, but traditionally, these cocktails were served with large ice cubes from the days before plastic ice trays and nugget ice machines. A covered ice cube tray protects your ice from any stray freezer smells. If your tap water doesn't taste great, consider using filtered or bottled water for your ice, even though it seems like overkill.Garnish
One of the key parts of a Negroni is the orange peel, which complements the campari and adds a bit of acid to offset the sweetness of the vermouth, especially if you took my advice and got a more premium vermouth, which tends to be sweeter. When I was younger, I skipped the orange peel (because you needed a fresh orange, which I never had) and the first time I tried it, I was amazed at the difference it made. For extra flair, you can squeeze, spritz, or even flame your orange peel, but I prefer the subtle purity of a clean orange peel myself.Shaken or Stirred
Please never shake a Negroni.How to make a Negroni
- Prepare a rocks glass with a large ice cube.
- Peel a 1” x 4” strip of orange peel and trim as needed.
- Build the drink over ice.
- Stir for 30 seconds.
- Garnish, and enjoy immediately.
Negroni Glass
A Negroni should never be served up or in a flute. Properly it should be in a low ball/rocks/old fashioned bar glass. A correctly sized Negroni is 3oz plus ice, so a double glass is just about the right size.My Best Negroni recipe
If you’re at all a drinker, you’ll find the classic 1:1:1 ratio of a Negroni a little too sweet. If you aren’t a drinker, you might find it really bitter. Once, I served a Negroni for the first time to a wine snob friend of mine who had never had one. This was in the dark ages when appletinis were popular. He found it unbearably bitter, though in the decades since, he’s started serving them before dinner. But if you prefer your Negroni on the more balanced side, my go-to Negroni recipe that I've been drinking for years is 3/4 oz Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth, 3/4oz Campari, and 1.5oz gin.The Boulevardier
I used to order this one in bars exclusively, and for the first few years, no bartender really knew what it was. Then, overnight, it was more popular on bar menus than the Negroni – which is either off-menu at most places or served with some variation, like sake. A boulevardier swaps the herbaceous gin for earthy, spiced bourbon, which makes for a darker drink that’s kind of the lovechild of a Negroni and a Manhattan, combining them into the best of both worlds, like New York Italian food. The Negroni is one of my favorite cocktails of all time, and I’ve been drinking this version for decades. I hope you give it a try, especially with the right vermouth. Cheers! MikeMy Best Negroni
What it lacks in the purity of equal measures, it gains in deliciousness
- 1 ice cube (2"x2")
- 1 orange peel (trimmed)
- 1.5 oz gin (such as beefeater)
- 3/4 oz Campari
- 3/4 oz Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
Prepare a rocks glass with a large ice cube. Peel a 1” x 4” strip of orange peel and trim the edges. Twirl around a chopstick or skewer if desired.
Build the drink over ice.
Stir for 30 seconds or until cold, garnish with the prepared orange peel, then enjoy immedidately.
I Am... Cheesy Miso Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are the cutest appetizer out there, and definitely one of the most underrated holiday sides. So round, so poppable, and so delicious. I absolutely love stuffed mushrooms. They’re easy to make (and make ahead if you need to) and they’re always a hit. I love stuffed mushrooms and how infinitely customizable they are. They’re kind of like the vegetarian version of a deviled egg! I’m all about tiny bite-sized stuffed things and stuffed mushrooms fit the bill perfectly. These cheesy miso stuffed mushrooms are particularly good because they’re triple umami: mushrooms, miso, and parmesan cheese! They’re so full of flavor and satisfying.
How to make stuffed mushrooms
- Start off by washing your mushrooms. Yes, we’re going to wash them, more on that below.
- After you wash them, trim the very tip of the stem and discard, then gently break the stems from the caps.
- Place the caps on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Mince the stems then sauté them in butter until golden then let cool.
- While the stems are cooling, mix together cream cheese, mayo, and a bit of white miso.
- Stir in the sautéed stems then stuff the mushrooms, topping them with parmesan.
- Bake until golden and piping hot then enjoy!
Stuffed mushroom ingredients
- mushrooms - I like using brown mushrooms because I think they’re prettier but white mushrooms are exactly the same so go with whichever you prefer. Try to choose mushrooms that are on the bigger side, but not too big, 1 - 1.5 inches.
- butter - mushrooms sautéed in butter are a dream come true. You can use oil if you don’t have butter on hand.
- cream cheese - this is what is the bulk of the creaminess in these stuffed mushrooms. It’s easier to mix if your cream cheese at room temp.
- kewpie mayo - my secret ingredient! Kewpie mayo adds extra creaminess and when you bake it, it is SO delicious. If you don't already know about it, read more about kewpie mayo here.
- white miso - white miso adds extra umami and flavor. If you don’t have any on hand and don’t want to go to the store, you can skip it, but it really boosts all the savoriness of this dish.
- parmesan - finishing with finely grated parmesan is always a pro move!
How to pick good mushrooms
I like buying mushrooms loose so I can go through and choose ones that are about the same size so they all cook at the same rate. Look for whole, intact caps without discoloration. They should feel spring-y and light, not spongy.To wash or not wash mushrooms
If you do a quick internet search on this, people are divided. Some people wash, some people don’t wash, some people peel. The reason why people don’t wash mushrooms is that they’re worried they’ll get soggy. But the truth is, like all plants, they can take a bit of a shower and be okay, especially if you’re washing them while they’re whole.How to clean mushrooms
Wash mushrooms right before you use them. Place whole mushrooms in a sieve (I use the sieve in the salad spinner basket) and use the spray function and cold water to spray off any dirt. Spin or pat dry with paper towels. Use immediately.What to serve with stuffed mushrooms
- The best green bean casserole
- Super smooth and fluffy mashed potatoes
- Garlicky parker house rolls
- Velveeta mac and cheese
- The ultimate fall kale salad
- Fool-proof super juicy turkey
Cheesy Miso Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are the cutest appetizer out there.
- 16 large mushrooms (white or brown)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup mayo (kewpie mayo preferred)
- 1 tbsp white miso
- 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (finely grated)
- parsley (finely chopped, to finish)
Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Trim the bottom of the stems of the mushrooms, then gently break them off. Place the mushroom caps on the prepared baking sheet.
Finely mince the mushroom stems. In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté the mushroom stems until soft and golden. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, mayo, and white miso until smooth. Stir in the sautéed mushroom stems, taste and season with freshly ground pepper.
Scoop the filling into the mushroom caps and top with grated parmesan.
Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese melts and the mushrooms are piping hot. Finish with parsley, remove, let cool slightly and enjoy!
I Am... Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
These instant pot mashed potatoes are so good and so easy they're dangerous. Mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food and now that I have a hands off way of making them, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be eating so many potatoes that I'm going to turn into one. I love how you just set everything in one pot and you're done. Just pop your potatoes in, cook on high pressure for 7 minutes, mash, season, and eat. So simple and so good. My tip here is using a sieve (or a ricer) to push your potatoes through instead of mashing. You end up with super smooth and creamy mashed potatoes.
How to make the best instant pot mashed potatoes
- Prep the potatoes: Scrub and peel (or leave the skins on if you’re into that) the potatoes and cut into quarters.
- Place in the Instant Pot with garlic and a bit of chicken stock. Pressure cook on high for 7 minutes, then quick release.
- Mash by pushing the potatoes and garlic through a fine mesh sieve or ricer. If you like a lumpier mash, use a masher.
- Stir in room temp butter, then the milk. Taste and season with salt (and pepper if desired) and serve warm!
Instant pot mashed potato ingredients
- Potatoes: Like I mentioned above, I always use either Yukon golds or Russet potatoes. Either are a solid choice and if you like you can even mix them for the best of both worlds.
- Garlic: Who doesn’t love garlic mashed potatoes? Give it gives these potatoes a warm garlicky flavor. Feel free to increase or decrease the amount of cloves used.
- Butter: Butter is essential so use a good one - we love grass-fed butter.
- Milk or cream: I almost always use whole milk for my mash, but if you want an extra indulgent potato, use half and half or heavy cream.
- Salt: Don’t forget to season!
- Toppings: I keep it pure with just a butter pool, but chopped chives or sliced scallions look pretty and add some color and herbaceous. Cracked black pepper is always good. You can always customize as you wish and stir in cheese, top with bacon bits, and jalapeños, or everything bagel seasoning.
4 secrets to the best mashed potatoes:
1. Water is the enemy
Waterlogged potatoes mean gluey mashed potatoes. To avoid this, we’re going to steam the potatoes in the Instant Pot with just the minimal amount of liquid, which will make them fluffy, cooked through, and full of potato-y flavor.2. Season!
Season at every step. I like to steam/cook the potatoes in chicken stock so it adds an extra layer of flavor. If you don’t want to use chicken stock, you can use vegetable stock or just make sure to salt the water you cook the potatoes in. You want to season when you’re cooking the potatoes and afterwards when you add in the butter and milk so you have layers of seasoning.3. How you mash matters.
I love the way mashed potatoes taste when you push the potatoes through a fine mesh sieve. It gives you the smoothest, most luscious mashed potatoes you’ve ever eaten. But, if you like a slightly chunkier mash, use a potato masher. There are even different kinds of mashers: smooth mashers or chunky mashers depending on how you like your potatoes.4. Don’t over mix.
Once your potatoes are mashed, you want to just stir in the liquids (butter and milk or cream) without over mixing, which can lead to gummy potatoes.How much water for Instant Pot mashed potatoes?
The minimum amount of liquid Instant Pot needs for pressure cooking is 1 cup. You can use either 1 cup of chicken stock or salted water. This is a lot less liquid compared to almost all the other Instant Pot mashed potato recipes hanging out on the internet. It’s superior for two reasons.- Cooking potatoes in a large amount of water makes them water-logged and soggy, which results in less potato flavor.
- Less water means less time for the pot to come up to pressure.
How many potatoes do you need per person?
For a side serving of mashed potatoes, the general rule is: 1 medium to medium-large potato per person. Potatoes come in various sizes, but a good rule of thumb is that you’ll need a medium to medium-large potato that fits in the palm of your hand for each person. Aim for a 1/2 lb individual servings of mashed potato.Vegan Instant Pot mashed potatoes
If you’re vegan, or have guests who are, it’s super easy to make flavorful, smooth, rich mashed potatoes. Follow the recipe as below, but make these ingredient substitutions. Instead of chicken stock, cook the potatoes in 1 cups mushroom dashi stock or your favorite vegetable stock. Instead of butter, use vegan butter or white miso. Instead of milk, use your favorite milk alternative, mushroom dashi, or white miso paste mixed with water.What are the best kind of potatoes for instant pot mashed potatoes?
There are only two kinds of potatoes that are perfect for mashed potatoes: Yukon golds (my absolute favorite) and Russets.- Yukon golds are perfect for mashing because they’re starchy, beautifully yellow, and have a rich buttery potato taste. They’re also a more dense potato with a thin skin, and when you use them, you get a more luxurious mash.
- Russets (or Idaho) potatoes are those big potatoes with the dusty skin that most people use for baked potatoes. These are also excellent for mashed: fluffy, dry, and starchy, when cooked right. Russets are the more mild potato of the two potatoes I recommend and if you’re a fan of lighter potatoes, they make a mash with a more delicate texture.
Skin on or skin off?
Because I’m in the smooth mash camp, I don’t think potato skin belongs in mashed potatoes. But some people love that texture contrast. And for those people, I say, feel free to leave the skins on!What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?
You can still make these mashed potatoes, all you need to do is steam: place the cut up potatoes on a plate or in a steamer basket. Boil 1-3 inches of water in a large pot and place the potatoes in the pot. Cover and steam on medium until very tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Check this post out for more. Best mains to serve with mashed potatoes- The Best Cajun Butter Steak
- The Juiciest Baked Chicken Thighs
- One Pan Creamy Dijon Mustard Mushroom Chicken
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Smooth and fluffy mashed potatoes in under 20 minutes!
- instant pot
- 2 lbs potatoes (peeled and quartered)
- 1 cup chicken stock (no sodium preferred)
- 2-4 cloves garlic (optional)
- 2 tbsp butter (or to taste)
- 1/4-1/2 cup milk (or to taste)
- salt and freshly ground pepper
Place the potatoes, chicken stock, and garlic (if using) in your Instant Pot/pressure cooker. Put the lid on, set the pressure to high and cook time to 7 minutes. Quick release the pressure when cooking time is completed.
Remove the potatoes from the liquid and mash or push through a ricer or a sieve. Optionally add a bit of the leftover chicken stock that the potatoes were cooked in for a bit more flavor.
Stir in the butter, milk, and salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
I Am... Tiktok Frozen Gummy Bears
TikTok food trends are back with viral frozen gummy bears. People love gummy bears. People love crunchy things. Why not crunchy gummy bears? All you really need is time and two ingredients: Sprite and gummy bears. After they’re frozen, they're a combination of hard and soft with a frozen candy texture. They’re kinda fun and quirky and I think they’re adorable because the gummy bears double in size.
What are frozen gummy bears?
Just what they sound like! Gummy bears that are frozen. They popped up on my for you page on TikTok so I’m not sure who invented them because I’ve seen literally hundreds of people making and crunching them for AMSR crunching videos. They don’t really sound crunchy thought - they’re more of an icy chew. Anyway, they looked fun and cute and gummy bears are delicious.What do frozen gummy bears taste like?
They taste just like regular gummy bears but with a different texture. Crisp and cold and smooth. Kind of hard and soft at the same time. If you’ve ever had gummy candy that has been left out in the cold, the texture is somewhat similar, but a bit softer because of the Sprite soak. They’re simultaneously chewier and softer. You would think they would be hard, but they don’t come out like ice cubes, more of a cold soft crunch, like nugget ice. Because of the sugar and gelatin content of the bears, they stay kind of soft, which is nice because it’s what gives the bears their soft and icy texture. As you chew, the frozen bears start to melt in your mouth. I like them!How to make frozen gummy bears
- Lay out your gummy bears in a shallow container that has a lid. You can do them in neat little rows or just spread them out, just as long as they’re in one layer, you’re good.
- Pour Sprite (or your choice of soda) on top over the bears, making sure they’re completely submerged. Cover the container and place it in the fridge overnight.
- The next day your bears will double in size. Strain them and arrange in a single layer on a parchment paper lined tray. Freeze for 3 hours or until firm and frozen.
- Enjoy the frozen gummy crunch!
Frozen gummy bear ingredients:
- gummy bears - everyone knows the superior gummy bears are Haribo. I dream of going to Germany to visit a Hairbo factory one day. My favorite are the twin cherries. Anyway, any bears will do, buy your favorite gummies.
- Sprite - you don’t need to use Sprite obviously, any clear soda will work, so choose your favorite. I think maybe the frozen gummy bear trend came from Japan and originally they used Mitsuya Cider, which is a kind of cream soda-y citrus-y soda.
What other gummies can I freeze?
Any really! I’ve seen frozen peach rings, cola bottles, sour patch kids. This will work on any sort of chewy, soft, gummy candy.What other sodas can I use?
Again, any soda will work for this. The soda is for carbonation and liquid soaked up into the gummy bears, so choose a soda that you like. I’m pretty sure the main choice is Sprite/7Up because they’re clear so the gummy bears stay the same color.Best gummy bear brands
Personally, I love Haribo Gold Bears, which is what we used in this post. Haribo invented gummy bears in 1922 and they’re the original and best! They’re a little firmer than most gummy bears and I think they have the tastiest flavor and chew. I also like how pretty and pastel they turn out after freezing them. Mike’s partial to Albanese Fruit Bears https://amzn.to/3C9gy4h which are pretty darn good too. They’re a bit softer than gold bears which isn’t for me, but I admit that they are very soft and chewy and they have elite flavors like Fuji Apple, Asian Pear, and Alphonso Mango. Another bear I’m interested in trying, but can’t vouch for are Black Forest gummy bears https://amzn.to/3YB9uVA. They have a different gummy bear shape which would be fun to see frozen. I’ve heard they taste really good and are a good amount of chew. That’s it! This is a fun little quick treat - if you ignore the overnight soak and freezing - and I think it’s worth it to try. The holiday season is coming up and a bowl of seasonal colored frozen gummy bears is a cute, conversation starter. Happy freezing! xoxo stephFrozen Gummy Bears
How to make the adorable viral gummy bear treat
- 1 package gummy bears (about 6oz)
- 1 can Sprite ( (or other clear carbonated drink))
Place your gummy bears in an air tight container. If you want your bears to be pristine and nicely shaped, spread them out in a single layer.
Carefully pour the Sprite over the gummy bears, covering them completely. Place the cover on the container and place in the fridge overnight.
The next day, the bears will double in size and be quite soft.
Scoop the bears out of the Sprite and place them in a single layer on a parchment paper lined plate or tray. Freeze until firm, about 3 hours.
Enjoy frozen!
Estimated Nutrition based on Haribo brand gummy bears
I Am... Boo Baskets
I love Halloween and spooky season. Give me pumpkin spice everything, fall leaves, and cozy scarves! So when I saw boo baskets trending on TikTok, I knew I had to make one for my boo! It's not too late to make one for yours, especially if you live in a place with fast shipping.
What are boo baskets?
Boo baskets are kind of like an Easter basket, but boo-themed. Or, rather, fall and Halloween themed. Most people have been hinting at their partners to make them one and there are some pretty cute ones out there!What to put in a boo basket?
Really, you can put anything in one! But here’s my loose “recipe.”Basket
You’ll need a large enough basket (or container) to hold all of your goodies. They have Halloween themed baskets out there, but if you have something at home that you use to hold blankets or a large bowl, this will work too. Bonus points if your person is obsessed with pottery and you get them a giant ceramic platter or bowl!Cozy item
It’s not fall if it’s not cozy! You want to find something warm and fuzzy that will remind your partner of you when they wrap themselves up in it, like a super soft blanket, hoodie, sweatshirt, or scarf. It doesn’t technically have to be fall or Halloween themed, but that is the them of the basket, so I say go all out and get the seasonal stuff. When else is your partner going to get a hoodie that proclaims their love for pumpkin spice?Mug
Fall is all about the hot drinks and you can’t have hot drinks without a mug. There are SO many cute Halloween mugs out there and a lot of them are affordable too. See the list below for ideas. If your boo doesn’t do the hot drink thing, you can always get them a Halloween themed glass for regular drinks.Drinks
A drink mix for the mug. Think pumpkin spice, chai, apple cider, that kind of thing. Alternatively, if your boo doesn’t like hot drinks, you can get a spiced alcohol like cinnamon whiskey or a fall themed cocktail mixer.Treats
This is the best part of a boo basket, in my humble opinion! Basically it’s like you’re going trick-or-treating for your boo. There are so many Halloween and fall themed treats out there. Visit a Target or stock up online. Make sure you get stuff your boo likes. You do know their favorite snacks, right!?Plushie
A soft plushie is perfect for a boo basket. If you want bonus points, the hot plushies right now are Jellycats. Squishmallows are over so don’t even go there. Pick out the perfect Jellycat and your boo will be over the moon. note - a boo basket is nothing without a cute note from you. A handwritten note is everything. There are a bunch of cute Halloween themed cards out there too!The best things on Amazon for boo baskets:
Baskets
- A kawaii purple and orange rectangular basket that’s as cute as your boo.
- This rectangular storage basket literally has boos on it
- This two toned rope basket is plenty big to fit all your boo basket items.
Cozy items
- A super soft velvet fleece blanket with a ghostie doing all the Halloween things.
- Soft and cozy orange plush blanket that glows in the dark, just the thing for cuddling up during movie night.
- A cozy spooky season sweatshirt for your boo to snuggle up in.
- A super soft plaid scarf so your boo can stay warm on your leaf peeping fall walks.
Mugs
- I think this might be the cutest ghost mug to ever exist!
- A sweet “Hello Fall” ceramic mug so your boo can warm their hands around it.
- This one is for those boos who are obsessed with tumblers. She’s cute, she’s maple, she’s just the right mug for your boo basket!
- There are two mugs in this set, one for you and one for your boo. I love the warmth of amber glass mugs. It adds a touch of that fall magic!
- This amber rocks glass isn’t a mug, but it’s perfect for those boos who don’t like hot drinks.
Drinks
- These great pumpkin Charlie Brown hot cocoa mix packs are the cutest.
- Salted caramel hot chocolate is definitely a fall favorite
- A pumpkin spice hot chocolate bomb with mini marshmallows
- This warming chai mix is vegan and made with oat milk.
- Pumpkin spice old fashioned mixer to add a bit of Halloween to your spooky cocktail hour
Treats
There are so many fall treats out there, I recommend going to Target or Walmart to check out their seasonal sections. That being said, you can grab these on amazon if you don’t have time to go shopping:- Would a boo basket be complete without Oreo boos?
- Apple cider cashews for the fancier boos out there
- Chocolate pumpkin spice kind bars so you can take them when you go for a fall hike with your boo
Plushies
- This mini ghost is so squishable and isn’t too big, making it perfect for fitting into a basket
- If your boo loves cats, this big boy black cat is purrfect
- A lil plush pumpkin that you can keep forever
- The CUTEST Jellycat acorn.
- If you want extra bonus points with your girl and she’s a Tiktok girlie, you have got to get this Jellycat coffee-to-go plush bag.
Card/note
Tips
Bake a sweet treat for your boo!
If you want extra brownie points (heehee) bake up a fall-themed sweet treat for your boo.- Pumpkin Bread - This is a copycat recipe for Starbuck’s pumpkin bread. So if your boo is a starbies lover, this is the one!
- Who doesn’t love cheesecake bars? A cheesecake you can pick up with your hands? Yes, please. If you want to go all out, you can decorate these lil guys to look like Totoro.
- One bowl pumpkin cupcakes - Tall, fluffy, tender, and super easy to make, pumpkin cupcakes definitely say “I love you.”
- Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies and trust me when I say that these will be the BEST you’ve ever baked.
K-Beauty Boo Basket Ideas
If your boo is super into Korean beauty and skin care, here are a couple of fall themed products that you can pop into their boo basket!- Pumpkin 24K gold mask - This lil pumpkin face mask helps with exfoliation and is fall themed!
- Pumpkin spice hand cream - If your boo is pumpkin spice fiend, this cocoa butter pumpkin spice hand cream is perfect.
- It’s not pumpkin, but carrots are orange too! These Skinfood calming carrot toner pads are viral and boo basket friendly!
How do I make boo baskets look cute?
- Be sure to get a large enough basket so everything fits inside. Use the cozy item (scarf, hoodie, blanket) to line the basket.
- Remove any packaging from the outsides: obviously if you ordered stuff online, take it out of the box and remove any protective plastic wrap. Don’t cut off any tags though, just in case.
- Neatly arrange everything in the basket. Larger items go in the back and smaller items get tucked into the front.
How to make a Boo Basket
Boo baskets are kind of like an Easter basket, but boo-themed.
- 1 basket
- 1 cozy item
- 1 mug
- 1 package hot drinks
- 2 fall or Halloween themed treats
- 1 soft plushie
- 1 heartfelt hand written note
Unwrap anything that came in packaging (but don’t take off any tags).
Line the basket with the cozy item, fluffing it up.
Place the mug, hot drink mix, treats, plushie, and note into the basket.
Arrange cutely.
Gift to your partner and bask in their love for you!
I Am... Hot Pot at Home
One of my all time favorite meals is hot pot. We eat it at least once a month, if not more. It can be a cold and cozy night or a warm summer evening – it doesn’t matter because hot pot is always the answer. It’s a fun and filling way to spend the night eating and chatting because you’re literally hanging around a hot pot at the table where you cook and eat together. Essentially, all you do to prepare hot pot is make a soup that is simmered at the table. You load up the table with a bunch of raw sliced meats, veggies, tofu, seafood, and noodles. Everyone cooks what they like, right at the table. Then it's scooped out of the pot, dipped into your own customized sauce, and devoured. Hot pot is all about choosing your ingredients/what you’re going to put into your pot. There’s a huge variety of hot pot, even within China – there’s mind numbing spicy hot pots, herbal hot pots, curry hot pots, soothing plain hot pots, really there’s no wrong way. Here’s an in-depth guide to get you started!
What is hot pot?
If you’re new to hot pot, it’s a low stress way to have a fun and interactive meal with the people you love. Hot pot is a social way of eating: a variety of food is cooked in a communal simmering pot of flavored broth. The meal starts with the pot coming to a boil. The meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and noodles are added and cook quickly (and sometimes slowly) in the bubbling broth. Everyone scoops out whatever their heart desires and adds more to replace it. Fun times, yummy food, and much laughter is shared. At its core, Hot pot is a Chinese way of way of cooking food in a simmering pot of soup at the table. It’s similar to fondue, except instead of cheese or hot oil, you have a flavorful soup stock. Raw ingredients are cooked in the soup, then eaten with dipping sauces. It’s a fun and communal way of eating and super popular both at home and in restaurants. Hot pot is near and dear to Chinese people across the world and is starting to become more mainstream and popular. Hot pot creates a cozy, warm atmosphere and really brings people together as you sit around a pot, cooking, eating, talking, and relaxing. The food is important but also important are the feels and the feels of hot pot can’t be beat.Is it really this complicated?
NO! This is an all encompassing how-to guide but the tl;dr of it all is that you can just go to your local Asian supermarketand buy from their hot pot selection. If you live somewhere far away from one, you can buy the hot pot soup mix online, thinly slice some proteins, wash some veg, and have at it. It doesn't need to be hard.Where does hot pot come from?
Hot pot originated in China but it’s now all over Asia in different incarnations. There are bubbly Korean stews, Japanese shabu shabus, Vietnamese hot pots, and more!How to have hot pot at home
- Decide on the broth. Go homemade or store bought, either work great.
- Shop for the ingredients. Go to the (ideally Asian) grocery store and buy ALL THE THINGS.
- Prep: wash the vegetables, lay out the meats, seafood, dumplings, balls, vegetables, and noodles out on plates or trays. Keep the meats together, the seafoods together, the vegetables together, the dumplings together, and on and on so that everything is contained and separate.
- Set the table. Set the table with everything you need, more on that below!
- Hot pot! Bring the soup up to a boil, cook your ingredients at the table, dip in sauce, eat, drink, laugh, enjoy.
What equipment do I need for hot pot?
Essentially you need two pieces of equipment for hot pot: a burner and a pot. The burner needs to be portable enough to sit at the center of your table. It can be anything you like, but make sure it's not charcoal because it'll fill your home with carbon monoxide. For the burner, there are several ways to go: induction, gas, or a two-in-one pot connected to electric source. I say you go with whichever one you might already have, or if you are going to be buying something, I’d choose induction. Induction is easy to clean – just wipe it down. Plus you don’t need to buy extra gas canisters. We’ve used the two-in-one before too, but it’s easier to use a pot you already have. As for pots, you want one that’s shallow so your food isn’t drowning. You want to be able to see it floating in there so a deep stockpot isn’t going to cut it. Growing up, we always had a split pot so the adults could have spicy soup while the kids had a mild soup. Split pots are great for people who want two kinds of soup or if you want to keep one side for meat and the other side for vegetables.Our personal hot pot set up
Mike and I use a portable induction cooker with our favorite cast iron shallow brasier, it retains heat amazingly and after we’re done, we just wipe down the induction cooker and pop the brasier in the dishwasher. There are three main components of Chinese hot pot: broth, ingredients, and sauce.Hot Pot Broth
There are a bunch of different variations of hot pot in China, depending on the region, it goes from fiery red and spicy (Sichuan and Chongqing) to milky and herbal. Soup is the backbone of your hot pot, but really, you don’t need to worry about it too much. If you want to go all out and make a homemade stock, go for it. Sometimes if I’m feeling particularly extra, I’ll do just that, but more often than not, I’ll just use a store bought stock or seasoning packet. Our favorite base happens to be Japanese dashi with soy, sake, mirin, and a touch of sugar. It isn’t Chinese at all, but, you know, since hot pot is all about customization, we are here for it, especially since it reminds us of oden. The light yet deep umami richness is the perfect flavor for all the ingredients to soak up.Store bought broth
Lee Kum Kee makes a large variety of seasoning packets – you can find those and all of the ingredients for Chinese hot pot at your local Asian grocery store. If you’re looking for spicy, Hai Di Lao is a famous Chinese hot pot restaurant that sells their hot pot seasoning packets. There’s also an extremely popular hot pot restaurant (Little Sheep Hot Pot) that sells its soup base as well. Be careful of store bought packages, because some of them can be extra extra spicy. If the ingredients list mentions mala or sichuan pepper, you might be in for a spice-fest. When in doubt, use a half- or a quarter-package and taste test beforehand.Homemade hot pot broth
Most days, we just use a simple no sodium chicken stock dressed up with some soy sauce, shaoxing wine, toasted sesame oil, ginger, and scallions. For a Japanese dashi flavor, use instant dashi seasoned with soy, sake, mirin, and a touch of sugar.How much broth do I need?
You’ll need enough broth to fill your pot. Most seasoning packages have enough to make 6-8 cups. All you do is mix the packet with water. As you’re cooking your hot pot, the soup base will inevitably go down, just top it up with water, there’s no need to add extra flavoring because the soup intensifies and concentrates as it boils down.Hot Pot Ingredients
This is the MOST fun part of hot pot. If you love variety and eating a bunch of different things in one meal, this is the meal for you! The best kind of hot pot contains a little thinly sliced meat, a little seafood, some veg, tofu, dumplings, and noodles of course! Everything tastes amazing when cooked in a hot pot. And the best part is, all you’re really doing is buying fresh, raw ingredients. If you’re wondering where to buy hot pot ingredients, the answer is an Asian grocery store! All grocery stores will (obviously) carry different things, but my main recommendation is to hit up any Asian grocery store because they will have a huge selection to choose from. I’ll break down the different categories of ingredients; it’s best to try to get a couple of each category.Thinly sliced meats
Meat, it’s what hot pot is for. Essentially you can cook any kind of meat in hot pot, as long as it’s sliced thinly. You pop it into the boiling water, swish it around a bit and let the pot come back up to a boil, pull it out and eat it. Typically thinly sliced beef, pork, and chicken are very popular. There are a variety of cuts that you can get thinly sliced in trays at your Asian grocery store – go wild and buy a bunch. Some of our favorites are: rib eye, pork belly, pork jowl, lamb shoulder, and pork shoulder. Or, if you like, you can DIY it! Pick pieces of meat that are heavily marbled and pop them in the freezer for about 30 minutes – it should feel slightly solid, but still yield, and then slice it as thinly as possible.Seafood
Seafood is a very common addition to hot pot but it's something we often skip. When we do it, we actually love those frozen seafood medley packs that contain shrimp, squid, scallops, and sometimes even mussels and clams. Fresh fish is a good bet too when we're splurging (or feeling healthy)Vegetables
Traditionally chinese hot pot is a bit light on the veg but vegetables are Mike’s favorite part of hot pot (sometimes I think he could eat hot pot with just a head of lettuce) and I've come over to the healthy side. I like a bit more variety, so I usually include some sort of Asian vegetable (gai lan, as pictured) and mushrooms. Anything goes, just make sure you’re not over cooking your vegetables! Pop them in, let them cook, then pull them out immediately, unless they’re the starchy variety of vegetable like daikon, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and taro. Tomatoes are amazing in hot pot, but be careful because they get really hot!Tofu
Tofu hot pots are a thing all by themselves. There is a huge variety of tofu at Asian grocery stores and they are all amazing. Tofu is some of the best stuff to put in hot pot because they soak up all the flavors. Mike’s partial to mini tofu puffs and I like medium firm tofu. I also love egg tofu, the kind that comes in a tube. When you’re popping the tofu into the hot pot, it doesn’t need long because you can essentially eat tofu “raw” but if you let it simmer for a while it’ll be one of the best bites: juicy and full of all the delicious hot pot soup.Fish balls and meatballs
When you get to the Asian grocery store, head to the frozen section. Sometimes there will also be a case beside the fish where fresh fish balls are. Fish balls, if you haven’t had them, are the bomb. They have the best texture and are not very fishy. They’re kind of hard to explain, but trust me, you’ll love them. I call them fish balls, but they come in all kinds of flavors: shrimp, squid, cuttlefish, lobster – if it swims, it comes in fishball form. I particularly like the “golden” ones because they’re deep fried. Oh, and grab some meatballs too, they usually have these in the deli section – in our local store we have a selection of Vietnamese meatballs and I always grab some to throw in.Dumplings
Speaking of dumplings, grab some frozen dumplings to put in your hot pot. I like to get the ones that are already fully cooked since you can’t really see inside them. Those packages will feature a large “fully cooked” text on the front. Getting fully cooked dumplings ensures that you don’t accidentally pull out a dumpling and bite into a raw filling. Get the classic pork and vegetable combo and if you see it, go for pork and corn, it’s my fave.Noodles
Noodles are the carb of choice for hot pot, they go right into the soup and soak up all the flavors. Sometimes people have bowls of rice too, so if that’s what floats your hot pot boat, go for it! I love noodles, so they’re essential. I usually go for udon because they’re thick and chewy and delicious, but mung bean noodles are excellent at soaking up flavor too. Shirataki is also amazing if you’re going low carb or keto.How to prep ingredients for hot pot
If you have a bunch of ready to go items like sliced meats, seafoods, and various balls, just open up the packages and put everything out on plates. I like to put everything on separate plates, but if you don't have enough plates, it's best to keep the meats, vegetables, and frozen stuff separated. Depending on how much you bought, you won’t need to put everything out - but if you have a big table, it never hurts and is always impressive!- Meats: If you have whole cuts of meat, place them in the freezer for 20-30 minutes until slightly firm (this helps a LOT!) and thinly slice.
- Seafood: Cut into bite sized pieces for quick and even cooking.
- Vegetables: Wash and dry all the vegetables. For large leaf and root vegetables, cut them into small pieces.
- Tofu: Drain and cut into bite size pieces.
- Noodles: Remove from the package. For most noodles, it's best to soak in hot water for 30 seconds and drain first.
- Balls and dumplings: Remove from the packages. If you like you can slice the balls in half. Make sure you don’t put the dumplings out too early because they’ll melt.
Hot pot sauces
Here’s where the fun starts: the dipping. Everything that comes out of the hot pot is dipped in sauce. Well, maybe not the noodles, but you know, you can pour sauce on to those. Every family has their own version of hot pot dipping sauce ingredients and within that everyone has their own personal sauce recipe. Provide a bunch of sauces and let people mix and match. Growing up, I just dipped in a simple sweet soy sauce with green onion and cilantro mix, but now I prefer a mix of Chinese sesame paste, hoisin sauce, sweet soy sauce, and shacha (Chinese barbecue sauce).Shacha sauce
If there’s a sauce that I think is always offered with hot pot, aside from soy sauce, it’s shacha. Shacha is made from soybean oil, garlic, shallots, chilis, brill fish, and dried shrimp. It’s an umami bomb and so so delicious. Shacha is from Taiwan and the best brand is Bullhead and it comes in a little silver can (although it actually comes in a big can too and that’s what we have in our fridge) with a resealable top. Confusingly, it’s labeled as Chinese barbecue sauce. Give it a good mix before you scoop some out, the good stuff usually settles at the bottom. People typically mix it up with a bit of soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, and cilantro. Some people also mix in a raw egg yolk for an extra bit of oomph. They sell it at the Asian grocery store and online.Sesame sauce
Sesame paste or sesame sauce is the other big gun at the sauce table. Essentially it’s Chinese sesame paste - which is similar to tahini but made with toasted sesame seeds and it’s nuttier, deeper, and more toasty tasting .You can have sesame sauce on it’s own diluted with a bit of water, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil, sprinkled with cilantro and scallions, or you can mix it up with other sauces. It’s super thick, so give it a good stir (just like natural almond butter!) before using. They sell it at the Asian grocery store and online. Whangzhihe is probably the most common sesame paste sauce you’ll see.How to set the table for hot pot
Now that all the shopping and prep is done, it’s time to set the table.- Place the burner and the pot in the middle of the table.
- Arrange the ingredients around the table.
- Have a sauce station - usually it’s a little nicer to have the station away from the table since it frees up space. We put all the sauces on the counter and head there when we need refills. Have little dipping bowls to mix up sauce in, sometimes you might even want 2 sauce dishes per person!
- Place a bowl, plate, chopsticks, and napkin at each setting.
- Have a couple of plates with tongs and hot pot strainers (the little individual scoop-y thing you see in the photo), and a ladle. It’s nice if you have one hot pot strainer per person but if you’re good at sharing, you can get away with one between two people.
- Don’t forget the drinks! You can go with beer or if you want those authentic feels, try wine! Wine is crazy popular in China. If you’re doing non alcoholic, iced green or jasmine teas or suan mei tang aka cold sour plum tea are good choices.
How to hot pot
Once the table is set, the soup is bubbling in the middle, and you have your own custom sauce made, this is how you do it:- Decide on a couple of pieces of what you want to eat. Most people start with meat, but if you’re feeling dumplings, tofu, or vegetables, you do you!
- Use a pair of tongs to gently place your pieces of choice into the pot – go for 3-5 pieces per person.
- Once everything is in the pot, the bubbling will subside a bit. Let everything come back up to a simmer. If you’re cooking thinly sliced beef, you can just give it a gently swish in the bubbling soup until it is cooked to your liking then pull it out immediately.
- Use a scoop to scoop out the pieces you put in and place them in your bowl.
- Dip the pieces in your sauce, enjoy, and repeat as needed!
Hot pot FAQ
How do you get the food out of the hot pot?
Don’t dip your chopsticks in the pot! Use a hot pot strainer to scoop your food out. It’s easier, cleaner, and you’ll be able to find your food more quickly.When is it cooked?
This is probably what confuses most people about hot pot. Generally, letting everything come to a boil before you start scooping food out is a good rule, but here are some *hot pot cooking times:*- Meats - since they’re thinly sliced or cut, it shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds for beef and up to 1-2 minutes for pork, chicken, and lamb.
- Seafood - seafood cooks quickly in general, 1-2 minutes should do it.
- Vegetables - leafy greens can take a quick dip, things like potatoes will take until they’re tender, up to 15 minutes.
- Dumplings - cook these according to package directions.
- Balls - these usually come fully cooked, but give them up to 5 minutes at a boil to make sure they’re heated through.
- Noodles - cook these according to package directions.
- Tofu - this can go in as long as little as you like.
Do you add everything at once to hot pot?
It’s easier if you don’t add everything at once, just add in a few pieces at a time, the ones you want to eat. This keeps the soup bubbling and the food fresh so you don’t find a random piece of leathery beef that’s been in the pot for hours.Help! I don’t live near an Asian supermarket and still want to hot pot
You can make do with a regular grocery store! Use chicken broth with some ginger, garlic, soy, and toasted sesame oil. Pick out some meats, freeze them slightly, and thinly slice. Get some leafy greens and check out what they have in the frozen section. There will usually be some frozen dumplings at the very least. Grab a package of tofu and some noodles you can have a scaled-down version of hot pot. Order some dipping sauces online for maximum enjoyment.Go forth and Hot Pot
Alright my friends! You’re ready to go forth and hot pot. Cook, dip, and eat away. I hope you give this a chance. It’s so cozy and comforting and warm. Happy hot-potting! xoxo stephHot Pot at Home
For maximum authenticity, get as much variety as you can. Use the scale button to change for number of guests. See post for more ingredient suggestions.
- induction burner
- wide shallow pot
- 1 package hot pot soup mix (see notes for substitution)
- 1 lb meat (at least 2 kinds, thinly sliced ribeye and pork jowl preferred)
- 1 lb seafood (at least 2 kinds, shrimp and salmon preferred)
- 1.5 lb vegetables (oyster mushrooms, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes preferred)
- 1 lb tofu (1/2 firm and 1/2 tofu puffs preferred)
- 8 dumplings (such as gyoza or potstickers)
- 8 fish balls
- 8 meatballs (vietnamese preferred, ikea if needed)
- 1 lb noodles (frozen sanuki udon preferred)
Hot Pot Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (sweet soy sauce preferred)
- 2 tbsp green onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Thai bird’s eye chili (sliced, optional)
Mike's Hot Pot Sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 2 tbsp shacha (optional)
Arrange all ingredients on separate platters, keeping the meats together, seafood together, and dumplings and meatballs together, so as not to cross contaminate. Or just arrange each ingredient on its own plate.
Combine your soup mix with enough water to fill the pot 1” from the top. Bring your soup to a boil at the table. See notes for soup mix alternatives.
Make the sauces: combine sauce ingredients and let sit for 1 minute in two separate bowls. Taste and adjust as needed. See post for sauce alternatives.
Set place settings, divvy up sauces, and pour drinks. Prepare and set aside a carafe or pitcher of water to refill the soup when it gets low. Enjoy!
If you can’t get your hands on a hot pot soup packet, combine 1 quart chicken stock, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tbsp sliced ginger, and 1 tbsp chopped green onions, and enough water to fill up your pot.
You can also use instant dashi powder.
Estimated nutrition doesn’t include sauce or soup.
I Am... Pumpkin Basque Cheesecake
Pumpkin Basque cheesecake forever! I’ve been making this on repeat all season long. Creamy basque cheesecake is my all time favorite dessert. I love the soft ooze of a runny Basque cheesecake. If you haven’t had one before, you must! I implore you, it is the ultimate manifestation of cheesecake: creamy, sweet, and pure cheesecake flavor with none of the distracting graham cracker crust. Come fall, all my cheesecakes take on an autumnal feel thanks to pumpkin. Love it or hate it, pumpkin and pumpkin spice is here to stay and to me, nothing is more fall then the warm and cozy smells of pumpkin mixed together with cinnamon and sugar. If you love pumpkin pie and you love cheesecake, this is the pinnacle of fall desserts. It has the earthy sweetness of pumpkin without being too overwhelming and the tangy decadence of cheesecake.
What is Basque cheesecake?
Basque cheesecake was in San Sebastian in the 70s by a restaurant called La Vina. They did a bunch of experiments and the one cheesecake they kept coming back to was a crustless, burnished cake that was light yet dense and full of cream cheese flavor and a signature brown-black top. The classic San Sebastián basque cheesecake is delicious, but I prefer the Japanese take: slightly oozy and loose in the middle, lightly sweet, with a good amount of cheesiness and just the right amount of dense. Basque cheesecake is the best combination of taste and texture. The edges of the cheesecake are slightly firmer with a lingering tongue coating smoothness that gives way to a supple molten cream center that barely holds together. The contrast is what gets me every time – a soft and cake tender shell surrounding a velvety smoothness that barely holds its shape, like the most decadent slice of triple cream brie. This particular recipe is a riff off my favorite basque cheesecake recipe with roasted, puréed kabocha folded in.How to make pumpkin Basque cheesecake
- Cream. Cream together the cream cheese and sugar. It’s best if your cream cheese is ultra soft. I like to leave it out at room temp for as long as possible before creaming so it blends up completely lump free. If you have a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment and remember to scrape down the sides.
- Mix. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing in completely without adding too much air. If you’re using a stand mixer, add the eggs and beat with the paddle on low.
- Stir. Stir in the pumpkin/kabocha and spices, then slowly pour in the cream and mix until just combined.
- Bake. Pour the batter into a parchment paper lined pan and bake in a super hot oven so the top gets nice and burnt while the inside stays creamy.
Pumpkin Basque cheesecake ingredients
- Cream cheese. My favorite cream cheese is Philly cream cheese, of course. Make sure you temper it at room temp so it it silky smooth and creamy without any lumps
- Sugar. Not too much sugar, just enough so it’s lightly sweet and delicious. I’ve only ever used granulated sugar, but I think brown sugar would add a hint of depth and caramel flavor.
- Eggs. You’ll need 4 large eggs to stabilize and hold the cake together. Make sure you get some nice, high quality eggs.
- Heavy Cream. Heavy cream is what makes this cake SO smooth and rich. You might also know heavy cream as whipping cream. Either will work as long as it has over 36% milk fat.
- Pumpkin. You can use canned puréed pumpkin (I love Libby’s!) but since this is a super simple recipe, I decided to cube and roast kabocha (aka Japanese pumpkin) for an extra bit of a special touch.
- Spices. A simple mix of cinnamon, ground ginger, cloves, and nutmeg adds just the right amount of warm spice.
What is kabocha?
Kabocha is a winter squash that is often referred to as a Japanese pumpkin. They have a deep green, thick skin, and bright orange flesh. Just like pumpkins, they are found in both sweet and savory dishes. They have a distinctively sweeter flavor profile compared to pumpkin and cook up more dry and fluffy making them more intensely flavored. Roasted kabocha is smooth and fluffy, sweet and nutty. They taste like a mix of pumpkin and butternut/honeynut squash and sweet potatoes. They’re amazing!How to cook kabocha for pie
- Prep the kabocha: wash and dry the outside then place on a heavy cutting board and use a large knife to cut in half. Kabocha are notoriously hard, so be careful. Scoop out the seeds then cut into wedges/chunks.
- Wrap the wedges/chunks in foil and place on a baking sheet and roast in a 400°F oven until tender and cooked through, about 30-40 minutes. You should be able to easily pierce the flesh with a fork.
- Remove, let cool, and scoop the flesh from the skin.
- Blend or purée until smooth. If desired, push through a metal sieve then use as directed in your recipe.
Do I need a springform pan for cheesecake?
The best pan is one that has tall sides so your cheesecake can burnish and brown on the top with just the slightest bit of jiggle in the middle. I like to use 6 inch rounds that are at least 3 inches in height. I’ve also baked Basque cheesecake in loaf pans and they come out really nice when you slice it up. The best part about Basque cheesecake is that you don’t need to use a springform pan and you don’t need a finicky water bath. Take advantage of that and use any pan you have. The deeper and smaller the pan, the more likely you will have a jiggly ooze-y cheesecake. The larger and more shallow your pan, the more likely you’ll have a firm cheesecake.How to line a pan for cheesecake
Measure out a piece of parchment paper larger than the cake pan, scrunch it up into a ball, then flatten it out. That will make it easier to line and push the parchment into the edges of the pan. Place the scrunched up and unfolded parchment paper into the pan, shaping, pushing, and pressing the paper into the edges and up the sides. If you’re worried, you can double line the pan.How long to bake Basque cheesecake
This depends on how creamy and jiggly you want the middle of your cheesecake to be. For a runny, creamy, just set center bake for 20 minutes. For just a bit creamy, go for 25 minutes, and for set, 30 minutes. Burnt top: To the the burnished top while still have a runny center, turn on the broiler and keep a close eye on it while it browns. It only takes a couple of seconds.Do I need to chill cheesecake?
You don’t have to chill it until it’s fridge-cold, but it’s best to let it cool completely. The cheesecake will continue to set and bake after you take it out of the oven, so leave it in the pan and let it cool completely before removing and serving. If you like a cold cheesecake you can pop it into the fridge and serve it once it’s completely cold. For a still runny center, after it’s completely cool, remove from the pan and slice without placing in the fridge. Happy pumpkin cheesecake making! xoxo steph PS - if you’re a pumpkin lover, please check out these other pumpkin recipes:Pumpkin Basque Cheesecake
Creamy, sweet, and pure cheesecake with a touch of seasonal pumpkin.
- 16 oz cream cheese (room temp (two 8oz bricks))
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree (or puréed kabocha)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
Heat the oven to 430°F. (If you have convection mode, set the oven to convection.)
Line a 6 inch round 3 inch tall cake pan with parchment paper with an overhang of 2 inches. I like to double line it just to make sure it pops out of the pan easily.
In a stand mixer, or by hand, beat the cream cheese with the sugar until smooth, making sure the sugar is completely incorporated, and the mixture is light, fluffy, and lump free. Be sure to scrape the bowl down.
Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure the batter is smooth and incorporated before adding another egg. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, as needed.
Gently mix in the pumpkin and spices.
Slowly pour in the cream, mixing until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 25-30 minutes. The top should be a dark amber and the middle should still wobble and jiggle. If you want the top to be more caramelized, leave it a bit longer, but know that the center will not be as gooey.
Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack at room temp until completely cool.
Remove the cake from the tin and slice at room temperature for a gooey, lava-like cheesecake. If desired, place in the fridge to cool which will result in a soft and creamy cheesecake without the ooze. Enjoy!
I Am... Garlic Lobster Pasta
I made this garlicky lobster pasta for Mike and it was amazing, if I do say so myself. The other day, Mike randomly came home with two cooked lobsters. “Surprise!” he said. We love lobster but hardly ever buy it or eat it at home. I have made lobster before (lobster risotto, creamy lobster pasta, and a steak and lobster sandwich) but it’s just not one of the things that comes to mind when we’re thinking of dinner. I don’t know why because it’s actually easy to cook and is super impressive and delicious. This lobster pasta is essentially an aglio e olio with a secret ingredient. It's loaded with pieces of lobster and finished with crunchy bread crumbs. The lobster is tossed in at the last minute, just to heat it through and get all those garlicky umami flavors on it without overwhelming the sweet flavor of the lobster meat. It comes together super quickly, like most pasta dishes. Grab some cooked lobster tails, and you have a quick, easy, impressive date night dish.
How to make garlic lobster pasta
- Prep the ingredients: toast the breadcrumbs, chop the parsley, shell and chop the lobster into bite size pieces.
- Cook your pasta in salted boiling water, timing it so it cooks one minute less than what the box considers al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, warm extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add sliced garlic and let it infuse the oil, softening but not browning.
- After the garlic is super aromatic and soft, stir in the crushed red pepper, parsley and oyster sauce, making sure everything is mixed together.
- Use a 1/3 measuring cup and scoop some of the starchy pasta water and add it to the pan with the garlic. Bring it up to a simmer, stirring and emulsifying the sauce.
- When the pasta is ready, use a pair of tongs to transfer it over to the pan with the sauce.
- Add in the lobster and toss everything until it is glossy with sauce, adding extra pasta water if needed.
- Finish with the breadcrumbs and extra parsley and enjoy immediately!
How to plate lobster pasta
Everyone always says you eat with your eyes first and it is true, especially with this pasta. You put in the effort to make it, so make it extra pretty on the plate! Grab two shallow, large-ish bowls (these are commonly called pasta bowls). For extra bonus points, warm them in the oven. When the pasta is ready, use a pair of tongs to divide the pasta, along with chunks for lobster, evenly into the two bowls. Make sure to scoop up any extra bits of sauce or slices of garlic and add them to the tops of the noodles. Reserve some of the pieces of lobster for the top. Finish with fresh parsley and breadcrumbs then enjoy immediately!Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil - use the good stuff because you deserve it. First cold press is best and as a rule of thumb, go for a dark or opaque bottle because olive oil doesn’t like being in the light.
- Breadcrumbs - toasted breadcrumbs add crunch and texture. I like grabbing the ends of sourdough and blitzing them in a food processor and cooking the coarse crumbs in olive oil until they’re almost deep fried and completely caramelized and golden.
- Flat leaf parsley - an underrated ingredient! I feel like a lot of people think flat leaf parsley is there just for garnish. But it adds a huge hit of freshness and when you cook it in oil it deepens the flavor. I love this sauce because it has parsley cooked in olive oil and it finishes the pasta for a hit of freshness.
- Spaghetti or other long pasta - I like the simplicity of spaghetti with this dish but of course there is a huge variety of long pastas out there. If you’re going to make your own, this is the perfect recipe to pair with fresh pasta https://safedealform.info/how-to-make-fresh-pasta-the-easy-way-our-almost-no-knead-pasta-recipe/. If you’re buying it, go for a bronze extruded pasta with a rough surface that will help the sauce catch and cling.
- Crushed red pepper flakes - a little (or big, depending on your spice tolerance) of crushed red peppers that will bloom in the oil and impart a bit of warmth and spice.
- Oyster sauce - this is the secret ingredient that adds a huge amount of umami and seafood flavor to the sauce. It’s sweet and thick and full of complexity. More on oyster sauce below.
- Lobster - you can go with whole cooked lobster or cooked lobster tails or even cook your own whole lobster or tails if you’re comfortable with that!
Oyster Sauce
Oyster sauce can be found in the Asian aisle of any grocery store or online. If you see the Lee Kum Kee bottle with the two people in boats, go for that one. It’s the premium oyster sauce which lists oysters as its first ingredient. It doesn’t taste super seafood-y but it definitely adds an extra oomph to this sauce that you won’t be able to put your finger on.Where can you buy lobster?
Mike got these PEI lobsters from a local vendor who cooked them after he picked them out of the case. Most places that sell live seafood can and will cook your lobster for you - if you’re ever on the East coast, all the grocery stores do it for a small fee. If you’re somewhere like Whole Foods they often sell already cooked lobster tails just waiting in the case for you to purchase. If they have fresh lobster tails, it’s just a quick poach in simmering water for 6-8 minutes. The tails will turn bright red and curl up when they’re cooked.How to easily remove lobster meat
The easiest way to remove lobster tail meat is to think of it like a large shrimp or prawn. Use a pair of scissors to cut through the the bottom then pull the shell off and release the tail meat. If you happened to get a whole lobster, you can remove the meat from the claws and the knuckles as well. Youtube is your friend - there are so many videos on how to break down a whole lobster. Pro tip: don’t throw away the shells. Keep them and make a lobster stock and use it as the base stock for any soup you want to add a deep seafood flavor too. Just cover the shells with water and simmer, covered, on low for 2 hours or place in a crock pot, cover with water and a lid and turn the pot onto high.What to serve with lobster pasta
- start with a charcuterie board for 2
- serve kale salad alongside
- and finish with a creamy, gooey Basque cheesecake for the ultimate date night!
Garlic Lobster Pasta
The best aglio e olio base lobster pasta loaded with pieces of lobster and finished with crunchy bread crumbs and a secret ingredient.
- 4 tbsp olive oil (divided)
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs (coarse, see note)
- 2 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley (chopped)
- 6 ounces spaghetti
- 1 head garlic (sliced)
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1.5 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 lobster (cooked, shelled and roughly chopped, about 1-1.5lbs)
Add 1 tbsp olive oil to a pan and toast the breadcrumbs until golden and crunchy. Remove from the heat and stir in a pinch of parsley. Set aside.
In a pot of salted water, cook the spaghetti one minute shy of al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, heat up the remaining oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant and slightly soft, but not brown, 20 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in the red pepper flakes, flat leaf parsley, and oyster sauce. Add 1/3 cup pasta water to the pan and bring to a simmer to emulsify into a sauce, stirring occasionally.
When the pasta is ready, use a pair of tongs to move the cooked pasta over to the pan with the sauce. Leave the heat on medium, add the lobster and toss to combine, until the sauce is glossy and clings to the noodles. Add extra pasta water if the pasta gets too dry.
Finish with toasted bread crumbs and enjoy!
Note: I like to blitz up old sourdough bread in the food processor for fresh, coarse crumbs.
I Am... Miso Tuna Salad
Tuna salad is a vibe. Those who love it love it and those who hate it just haven’t tasted the right tuna salad. I love it and I pretty much always have. Give me a tuna melt and I’m in HEAVEN. This miso tuna salad has been my go to forever because: miso! Miso makes everything better, it adds depth, umami and healthy probiotics.
The best tuna salad
This tuna salad is a simple mix because it’s one of my go-tos when I’m hungry but don’t have any groceries. It’s a little umami bomb and absolutely the perfect moreish no-carb snack. To a can of drained tuna, I stirred in a little bit of kewpie mayo, white miso instead of salt, celery for crunch, and green onions for bite. Crisp seaweed snacks are the best for scooping it up! It’s also amazing on super soft Japanese fluffy bread, toasted sourdough, or sourdough crackers.How to make miso tuna salad
- Super simple: mix together the miso and Kewpie until smooth and then add tuna, diced celery, and sliced green onions. Season with freshly cracked black pepper and enjoy!
Miso tuna salad ingredients
- miso - a traditional Japanese seasoning that is pretty much found everywhere now, miso adds depth and salty umami to this tuna salad. It adds a rich savoriness and as a bonus you don’t need to season with salt.
- kewpie mayo - this is a no brainer, kewpie mayo is so delicious, more on that below!
- tuna - you can use any tuna you like, we’re going to drain it so it doesn’t matter too much. I usually go with a chunk tuna as opposed to flaked. I like tuna packed in water, usually light tuna because it’s supposed to have less mercury. If you want your tuna a bit more rich, you can always add more kewpie but you can’t control the flavor of oil packed tuna.
- celery - tuna salad isn’t tuna salad without celery to add crunch.
- green onions - sliced them up and add them for freshness and a bit of oniony bite
- pepper - freshly cracked of course!
White or red miso
For tuna salad I like to reach for a white miso, which is mellow and sweet. It’s called shiro miso or sweet miso and you can find it near the tofu at places like Whole Foods or at Asian grocery stores.Which mayo to use
Kewpie mayo, forever and always! If you’re not a mayo fan, you have to try Kewpie mayo: the ubiquitous clear, red-topped squeeze bottle of mayo found in practically every Japanese household. It’s tangy from rice vinegar, slightly sweet, and extra creamy. It is absolutely delicious and will take this salad to the next level! Read more about kewpie here.What else can I make with kewpie mayo?
You can use kewpie mayo anywhere you would use regular, but here are some recipes to get you started:- Mayo ramen – for an extra rich luxe restaurant style ramen
- Ebi chili mayo – Deep fried tempura prawns with sweet and spicy Kewpie
- Japanese Egg Sando (or this one) – Japanese egg salads aren’t Japanese unless you use Kewpie. This is gonna be the best egg salad you’ll ever taste
- Japanese potato salad – It just hits different. It’s the Kewpie!
- Takoyaki – the classic takoyaki topped with Kewpie
- Deviled eggs – eggs get an upgrade with Kewpie mayonnaise
- Sushi bake – because it’s the creamiest, warmest, most satisfying casserole
Miso Tuna Salad
Miso makes everything better, it adds depth, umami and healthy probiotics.
- 1 tbsp white miso
- 2 tbsp kewpie mayo
- 1 can tuna (drained)
- 2 tbsp celery (diced)
- 2 tbsp green onions (sliced)
- freshly ground pepper (to taste)
Mix together the miso and kewpie until smooth. Add the drained tuna, celery and green onions.
Mix throughly and season to taste. Enjoy on its own or on top of crackers, toast, or seaweed.
Adjust the miso content to taste, miso pastes vary greatly in terms of saltiness. Also, feel free to add more kewpie mayo if needed.
I Am... Roasted Honeynut Squash Creamy Pasta
It’s honeynut squash season! Mike and I went to the farmer’s market the other day and there was a perfect little basket of the tiniest honeynut squash. I absolutely love honeynuts so of course I squealed and went about picking out the cutest most tiniest ones. If you’re not familiar with honeynut squash, they’re like tiny butternut squashes, with the same shape. They were created to be a tiny, tasty squash and they are. They’re sweeter and when cooked, take on a caramel almost malty flavor. They’re super tender and cook very quickly because they’re so small.
A fall inspired pasta
After roasting a couple and eating them as is, I thought it would be nice to make a fall inspired pasta. I cut the squash up in a thick matchstick then pan-roasted them in a generous amount of olive oil. They got blistered and caramelized and so good. From there, I made a simple cream sauce then tossed in some greens and pasta. So cozy and perfect scooped up into a bowl!Why you should make a squash pasta:
- You love fall and you want to get cozy with a big bowl of pasta and squash
- You want to feed someone vegetarian food and you want it to taste good
- Honeynut squash gets you excited
- You want a hearty pasta that’s also just a little bit heathy
- You love garlic cream sauce
Frequently asked questions
Q: I can’t find honeynut squash at the store, what can I use instead? A: Any squash will work for this – try butternut or kabocha. Just make sure you cut it smaller so that it cooks just as quickly in the pan. Q: Why does the pasta look pink? A: I had no idea that swiss chard would make the cream sauce so pink! Next time I would definitely stick to kale or something. Q: What is the pasta shape called? A: It’s one of my all time favorite pasta shapes called calamarata! They’re supposed to look like calamari rings and I love them so much. Q: Why are you pretending that people ask you these questions? A: I like to amuse myself and for some reason I find this format hilarious >_< Happy honeynutting! (that sounds wrong LOL) xoxo steph PS - If you love honeynut squash as much as I do, try this honeynut squash with honeyed walnuts I made last year!Pan-Roasted Honeynut Squash with Creamy Garlicky Pasta
A warm and comforting pasta dish with all the flavors of fall, including honeynut squash
- 1-2 small honeynut squash (cut into thick matchsticks)
- 2 tbsp olive or neutral oil
- salt and freshly ground pepper
- 6 ounces dried pasta of choice
- 1 1/2 cups leafy greens (chopped)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic (minced or crushed)
- 3/4 cup finely grated parmesan
Heat up the oil over medium high heat in a skillet. Add the honeynut cubes in a single layer and sear, stirring once or twice, for 5 minutes. Lower the heat to medium and cook until fork-tender, about 5-6 minutes, stirring as needed. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta 2 minutes shy of al dente in a large pot of salted water. Reserve 3/4 cups water and drain.
When the squash is done cooking, scoop the squash out of the pan and set aside. Add the cream and garlic to the same pan over medium heat and simmer until slightly reduced, 2-3 minutes.
Add the pasta and 1/2 cup pasta water to the sauce and bring to a boil, cooking, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce coats the pasta, about 2 minutes. Add more pasta water if the sauce starts to get too thick.
Stir in the greens until wilted, then turn the heat down and stir in the cheese until melted.
Add the honeynut squash, season with salt and pepper and enjoy immediately!
I Am... Butter Candle
Move over butter boards, the butter candle is here! They add light, ambiance, and, of course, butter to any table, making serving bread, steak, or anything you love to dip in butter a fun and interactive experience. If you love warm butter and fresh bread, or you love butter boards, you’ll love the butter candle.
What is a butter candle?
It’s exactly what it sounds like: a candle made of butter. A food safe wick is lit at the table and the butter slowly softens, making the butter melty, dippable, or pourable. Butter candles are typically served with bread, but you can also serve them with anything that you love with butter. For dipping you can go with: seafood, vegetables, or meats. And for pouring, think: mashed potatoes, rice, popcorn - the list goes on and on. Is there anything that doesn’t taste better with butter?Who invented butter candles?
To be honest, butter candles are a modern take on delightfully retro tallow candles, which are candles made out of beef fat. Tallow candles have existed for ages, since Ancient Rome, in fact. Lately, adventurous restaurants have started serving steak with highly flavorful edible tallow candles. The resulting melty, warm beef fat is poured over steak or served alongside potatoes. Really, it’s not that big of a jump to homemade butter candles for bread. The first version I saw on Tiktok was by Soozie the Foodie who serves hers with bread. The other one I see on repeat is the steak butter candle by SAMO. These two Tiktoks are perfect examples of the two different ways you can make butter candles.How to make a butter candle
There are two ways to make a butter candle: hand shaping and pouring. Both work well, but hand shaping is a bit more rustic looking and if you don’t have food safe gloves, I recommend going the pouring route.To hand pour a butter candle
This is definitely the easiest way to make a butter candle. Melt the butter, make a wick out of food safe twine, pour the butter in a container, and wait for it to set. That’s it!- Melt the butter. You can do this in a small pot over low heat on the stove, or in 20 second increments in the microwave, stirring every time you reset the microwave.
- Make the wick. Cut a piece of food safe string and dip it into the melted butter to create a food safe wick.
- Set the wick in the mold. Tie the buttered string around a stick or chopstick and place the stick over the top of your butter candle mold, making sure the string touches the bottom of the mold.
- Pour in the butter. Pour the melted butter into the mold, making sure the wick is in the centre of the candle.
- Let the candle set. Place the butter candle in the fridge until it’s nice and firm, at least 1 hour minimum.
- Light your butter candle on fire and enjoy. When it’s time to enjoy, remove the stick and trim the wick so it’s about 1/4 - 1/2 inch above the candle. Use a match or lighter to light the wick and let the butter melt. Enjoy the melted butter by dipping or pouring!
To hand shape a butter candle
Start with slightly soft spreadable butter. Ideally, take your butter out of the fridge and let it sit a room temp, for 20 minutes. Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and place your stick of butter in the middle. Use your hands or a rolling pin to lightly flatten the butter and place a piece of kitchen string in the middle for a wick. Use the plastic wrap to roll and shape the butter into a candle. Place in the fridge to set.Butter candle wicks
It doesn’t matter if you hand shape or pour, either way, you’ll need a food safe wick. My suggestion is 100% cotton food safe twine, the kind that you tie up roasts and chicken with. You can find it near the meat section in the grocery store or you can order it online. Because it’s food safe, it will be safe when you light your candle. All you need to do to make your food twine into a wick is dip it in melted butter so it holds a flame better.Butter candle molds
You can go store bought or homemade here. Your mold really depends on if you want to have a free standing (de-molded) candle or a candle in a container. Generally, you want a free standing or shallow candle for dipping and a container candle for pouring.Dippable butter candle mold
Depending on if you want to un-mold your candle or not, you’ll want either a disposable or reusable mold. If you’re going to un-mold your candle, you can use a paper cup that you can cut and then peel away from the butter. You can even make a cardboard tube, line it with parchment paper and tape on a bottom. If you’re going for a dippable candle that you’re going to leave in the mold, go for a shallow container that you already have at home like a ramekin or small dish. This butter crock would work amazingly for a dipping butter candle.Pourable butter candle mold
These can be anything small with a spout. We use a tiny cream pitcher, which worked really well and is incredibly cute. Anything small and pourable is useable. Small cream pitchers or espresso pourers are great and there are so many out there. These mini glass espresso pouring cups with wooden handles are super cute.Salted or unsalted butter
Most people will tell you to go with salted butter because that’s what you serve with bread, but unsalted works too, just serve your candle along with some flaky sea salt. Really, use whatever butter you love.What to serve with butter candles
Really you can serve anything. If you’re going for a starter, a nice selection of crusty breads works well. On the other hand, if you want to serve up a butter candle at breakfast or brunch, pancakes, waffles, or freshly baked muffins come to mind. If you’re serving it with dinner, melted butter tastes amazing on rice, noodles, vegetables, seafoods, and meats. Classic is a herbed butter with steak frites, you can’t go wrong with that!Butter candle flavors
Any compound butter (flavored butter), can be a butter candle. To make, simply stir the ingredients into the melted butter.- garlic butter: 1/2 cup butter plus 4 cloves finitely minced garlic or 4 cloves roasted garlic
- herbed butter: 1/2 cup butter plus 2 tbsp freshly chopped herbs of choice such as mint, cilantro, green onions, rosemary, thyme, flat leaf parsley, sage, basil, dill, tarragon, chives
- jalapeño butter: 1/2 cup butter plus 2 tbsp finely chopped jalapeño
- paprika butter: 1/2 cup butter plus 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tbsp fresh parsley
- shallot butter: 1/2 cup butter plus 2 tbsp finely chopped shallots, 2 cloves finely minced garlic, 2 tsp finely minced parsley
- red wine butter: 1/2 cup butter, 2 tbsp red wine, 1 tbsp finely chopped shallots, 2 tsp finely chopped parsley, 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
- lemon butter: 1/2 cup butter, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tsp fresh lemon zest, 2 tsp finely chopped parsley
Pro tips
- Make sure your butter candle is solid before lighting it up, otherwise you’ll just have a butter pool as opposed to a candle.
- If you’re un-molding your candle, place the candle in a shallow dish with a lip so that as it melts, it doesn’t overflow and cause a butter spill.
- Start small! Yes, you can make a butter candle with 1 pound of butter, but that’s excessive, even in this day and age. All you really need is one stick of butter (which is a 1/2 cup).
- Super smooth butter candles. If you’re a purist and want a very clean burning, pretty candle, be sure to clarify and strain your butter. Because butter has water content and milk solids, a non-clarified butter candle will sputter a little due to the milk solids. This is definitely an optional step thought and I don’t think it’s necessary.
How to Make a Butter Candle
Move over butter boards, the butter candle is here!
- Food Safe Kitchen Twine
- Small Ramekin
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 baguette (sliced, to serve, optional)
Make your wick: tie a knot in your kitchen twine and trim off the excess, then measure out about double the height of your candle. Tie the newly cut end in a knot around your chopstick, leaving a length the same height as your candle with the original knot on the other end. Trim the excess and set aside.
Gently melt the butter in a pan on the stove over low heat. You can also melt it in the microwave in 30 second increments.
Drag the wick through the melted butter, making sure it’s saturated as close to the chopsticks as possible.
Set the chopstick over your ramekin, moving the string if needed so that it’s centered in the mold.
Pour in the butter and let set until solid in the fridge, minimum 1 hour.
To enjoy, remove the stick and trim the wick down to about 1/2 inch. You can light the butter candle as is, in the mold, or take it out of the mold by dipping the dish in warm water and running an offset spatula around the edges.
Light the candle and watch it burn as the butter melts. Enjoy with fresh crusty bread.
I Am... Pumpkin Butter
There’s nothing quite like a fresh cup of coffee and a thick slice of toast slathered with pumpkin butter on a crispy, sunny, fall day. It’s pumpkin season! The coziest, most snuggly -dare I say- tastiest time of the year? It makes me smile just thinking about sinking my teeth into a plush piece of crisp and soft toast with pumpkin-spiced butter melting into all the little nooks and crannies.
What is pumpkin butter?
Pumpkin butter is a spread made with pumpkin, pumpkin spices, sugar, and of course, butter. It’s sweet, rich, and absolutely delicious. Think how life would be if you could take pumpkin pie and just spread it on toast. It’s kind of like that but a bit lighter, less dense, and more spreadable.Is there butter in pumpkin butter?
Yes! There is butter in this version of pumpkin butter because without butter is it even technically pumpkin butter? That being said, there are versions out there that don’t have butter in them (I’m looking at you Trader Joe’s, more on that below). I suspect that they didn’t put butter in theirs so they could have a shelf-stable, more jam-like product. Without butter, it’s more of a fruit spread. Both are delicious, but pumpkin butter with actual butter in it is amazing on warm baked goods or toast. The butter melts down into all the nooks and crannies and infuses spiced pumpkin flavor into whatever you spread it on.Pumpkin butter ingredients
All you need is pumpkin, pumpkin spice, vanilla, and butter:- puréed pumpkin - get the small 15-ounce can of pure pumpkin. I love Libby’s, which is straight-up pure pumpkin - Dickinson squash pumpkin to be exact.
- pumpkin spice - if you have pumpkin spice in your pantry, perfect! If you don’t, it’s super easy to whip some up. Pumpkin spice is going to add warmth and spiciness to our butter.
- vanilla - just a touch of vanilla is going to bring out the warmth of all the spices and add that baked goods feel.
- butter - it just isn’t pumpkin butter without butter! Use a high-quality butter that you love the taste of. It’s up to you if you use salted or unsalted, but I feel like salted helps emphasize the other flavors. Make sure your butter is at room temp so it’s easy to mix and incorporate with the brown sugar.
- brown sugar - brown sugar is going to give us a caramel sweetness that you don’t get with granulated sugar. But, if you only have granulated sugar at home, that will work too!
How to make pumpkin butter
- Reduce - add pumpkin, pumpkin spice, and a bit of vanilla to a pot or pan. Turn the heat up to medium and stir and cook the pumpkin until it reduces into a thick, and smooth paste. The key is to cook all of the water content out of the pumpkin so you’re left with pure pumpkin flavor. I like to use non-stick and I prefer using a pan because the increased surface area makes it easier to reduce the pumpkin. But using a larger pan means more splattering as the pumpkin is cooking down. The pumpkin will bubble and splatter, so keep that in mind!
- Cool - once the pumpkin is smooth and thick, spread the spiced pumpkin on a plate to help it cool down.
- Whip - Once the pumpkin is completely cool, whip together the brown sugar and butter. You don’t need to make sure it’s creamed, if you see granules of brown sugar in the butter, that’s perfect! Once the butter and sugar are one, mix in the cooled, spiced pumpkin and mix thoroughly.
- Enjoy - Once it’s ready, you can spread it on anything and everything! If you don’t use all of it right away, just spoon it into an airtight jar or container and keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks. Before you use it, you can whip it up to make it super smooth, or you can use it cold from the fridge. For me, there’s something about cold butter on hot toast or hot pancakes. I live for that contrast!
How to use
Spread a thick layer on fresh bread, toast, bagels, french toast, waffles, pancakes, slices of loaf cakes, buns, basically anything you would use butter on. For extra deliciousness, finish with a shower of cinnamon spice.Homemade pumpkin spice mix
It’s super simple to make homemade pumpkin spice mix and if you do it yourself, you won’t have a whole bottle sitting in your pantry just waiting for fall. For 1 tablespoon of pumpkin spice, mix up: 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, and 1/4 tsp allspice.Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter
Trader Joe’s is dairy-free and doesn’t have butter in it at all. Instead, it’s kind of a pumpkin spread that’s a tiny bit thick, seasoned with pumpkin spice and sweetened with sugar and honey. Think of it like pumpkin jam. If you’re dairy-free, you can make the butter recipe below by adding the sugar to the pumpkin when you’re cooking it and skipping out on mixing in the butter. Personally, I prefer it when it actually has butter in it because it adds that decadence and luxuriousness that is absolutely necessary for a spread.If you love pumpkin and pumpkin spice, please check out these other recipes
- homemade pumpkin cream cold foam
- the plushiest, softest, pumpkin loaf
- irresistible pumpkin cheesecake bars
- mini, fluffy pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes
- super moist and delicious pumpkin cupcakes with brown butter frosting
Pumpkin Butter
Sink into a plush piece of toast with pumpkin-spiced butter melting into all the little nooks and crannies.
- 15 oz puréed pumpkin (~1 can)
- 1 tbsp pumpkin spice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup butter (room temperature (2 sticks))
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (light preferred)
Add the pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice and vanilla to a non-stick pan and cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, or until smooth, thick, and reduced. The pumpkin will spatter and bubble as the water cooks out, so be sure to stir and keep an eye on it.
When reduced, remove from the heat, and spread the pumpkin out onto a plate to cool.
When the pumpkin is completely cool, cream together the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer until combined. Add the cooled pumpkin puree and mix until completely incorporated.
Enjoy immediately or spoon into a jar or air-tight container and keep in the fridge to use on anything and everything. The pumpkin butter will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
