Hi All. Wow our Bat Evening really went with a swing. Almost three dozen children and parents turned up at St John's Hall in Colne.They made laminated placemats with all kinds of spooky cut outs. Then followed an impromtu Nature Quiz whilst waiting for Mike Fisher the Bat Man to arrive. He gave a most fascinating talk and slide show about the furry little creatures. Then came the scrumptious food. Pumkin pie and home made pumpkin soup were hits . So having been asked for recipes , here goes.
Pumpkin Pie. Pastry to line the dish( a flan dish or similar is ideal).
40z plain flour; 3oz baking margarine (Stork); pinch salt;1teaspoon baking powder;water to mix.
Divid fat into two.Sieve flour with salt and baking powder into a mixing bowl. Cut half the fat into the flour until pieces of fat are very small.Then cut in the rest more roughly.Mix with water until binding together. Knead into a ball and allow to rest for about an hour in fridge. Then roll out to fit the dish, leave a little extra to allow for shrinkage.Bake blind for about ten minutes in fairly hot oven.
Filling. 1&1/2 cups of pumpkin;2 eggs(separated);6oz brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger;1/2 teaspoon cinnamon;juice and grated rind of a lemon;vanilla to taste; 1/2pint milk.
Cut pumpkin in half. Scoop out pips(you can dry these and use them in salads or as a snack). Put pumpkin in to a moderate oven and bake until flesh is soft. Remove and scoop out what you need.Mash with fork. M1x in the two egg yolks, brown sugar, milk and flavourings, including the lemon,Whisk egg whites till fluffy and fold in to the mixture. Spread mixture in to pie crust.Bake in a hot oven for 15 minutes. Turn oven down to moderate and continue baking slowly for about 35 minutes.Enjoy!
The soup recipe will follow when Sue lets me have it. Cheers Greencrumblie