Alton Browns Pumpkin Puree Recipes

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Put the pumpkin puree in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. CookThe puree is cooked to evaporate some of the moisture and concentrate the sugars., stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add the ginger, nutmeg, and dark brown sugar. Set aside to cool to room temperature, approximately 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 300°F.
• Cut a parchment paper circle and a long strip to fit the bottom and sides of a 9-by-3-inch cake pan. Brush the bottom and sides of the pan with melted butter. Adhere the parchment pieces to the bottom and sides of the pan.
• Prepare the crust by placing the ginger cookies, dark brown sugar, and salt into the bowl of a food processor and process into a fine crumb, 1 to 2 minutes.
• With the food processor running, drizzle in the melted butter. Once all the butter has been added, stop the food processor and pulse until the butter is well-incorporated, 3 to 4 pulses.
• Press the crust mixture into the bottom of the parchment-lined pan using a weighted glass. Bake for 15 minutes. Then cool for at least 10 minutes on a cooling rack.
• Combine the eggs and vanilla in a small mixing bowl. Bring two quarts of water to a boil in an electric kettle.
• Beat the cream cheese in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for 10 seconds on low speed. Add the prepared pumpkin mixture and mix on low for 30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Turn the mixer up to medium, and beat until the mixture is lump free, 1 to 2 minutes.
• With the mixer still on medium speed, slowly pour in half of the egg mixture. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the rest of the egg mixture and mix until completely combined. Pour the filling into the cooled crust.
• Line a roasting pan with a kitchen towel. Place the cheesecake to one side of the roasting pan and pour the boiling water in on the other side. Center the cheesecake in the roasting pan and bake for 2 hours. Turn the oven off and open the door for 1 minute. Close the door for 30 minutes.
• Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and place in the refrigerator for 6 hours to completely cool before serving. Do not attempt to remove the water bath with the cheesecake in it from the oven, unless you like water in your cheesecake.
• When ready to serve, place the entire cake pan into a hot water bath for about 15 seconds. Run a small offset spatula around the cheesecake to free the parchment and remove it. Place a piece of wax paper atop the cake and invert a large plate or the bottom of a spring-form pan on top of it. Flip the whole cheesecake over and remove the cake pan. Remove the parchment paper and place a cardboard cake circle or large plate on the bottom of the cake. Flip the whole thing over again and remove the wax paper.
• To slice, place your knife (the longest and thinnest blade you've got) into a hot water bath and wipe dry each time you make a pass through the cake. Cut into 12 slices.
• Store in the fridge, covered, for up to 1 week.

PUMPKIN PUREE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF. Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Slice a small piece of skin off one side of the pumpkin so when laid on its side, the pumpkin will lay flat without rolling. Using a large cleaver and a mallet, remove the stem and split the pumpkin in half from top to bottom. Scoop out the seeds and fiber with a large metal spoon or ice cream scoop, rinsing and reserving the seeds for another use. Cut the fibers with kitchen shears, if necessary.
• Sprinkle the flesh with kosher salt and lay the halves, flesh-side down, on the prepared pan. Roast until a paring knife can be easily inserted and removed from the pumpkin, 30 to 45 minutes. Test in several places to ensure doneness.
• Remove the half-sheet pan to a wire rack and cool the pumpkin for 1 hour. Using a large spoon, remove the roasted flesh of the pumpkin from the skin to the bowl of a food processor. Process until the flesh is smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

WHOLE PUMPKIN PIE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Make a lid on the top of the pumpkin by cutting around the stem at a 45 degree angle. Make sure the opening is large enough to work within. Remove the seeds and fibers with a metal spoon or ice cream scoop and kitchen shears. Reserve the seeds for another use. Brush the exterior of the pumpkin and the lid with vegetable oil. Oil a round casserole dish large enough to hold the pumpkin and place the pumpkin inside.
• Combine the butter, onion, salt, garlic, apples, chicken broth, and heavy cream in the hollow pumpkin. Replace the lid of the pumpkin to cover. Bake for 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove the lid. Add the goat cheese and thyme and bake an additional 30 minutes, uncovered. Remove the pumpkin from the oven, and gently scrape some of the flesh into the soup mixture. Puree with an immersion blender to desired consistency, being careful to avoid the sides and bottom of the pumpkin. Serve immediately.

ALTON BROWN'S YOGURT PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• PreHeat oven to 350ºF.
• In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients and whisk until smooth.
• Pour this batter into the pie shell and place on a sheet pan.
• Bake for 50 to 55 minutes.
• Remove and cool for one hour.
• Cover and refrigerate 2 hours before cutting.

EASY AND DELICIOUS PUMPKIN MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place the heavy cream into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk. Whisk until medium peaks are formed, 1 to 2 minutes.
• In a separate bowl whisk together the pumpkin puree and milk. Add the pudding mix and vanilla and whisk to combine. Fold in the whipped cream and thoroughly combine. Transfer the mousse into 6 (7-ounce) dessert bowls or ramekins. Place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 4 before serving.
• Coarsely chop the Spiced Pecans and sprinkle on top of the mousse just before serving.
• Line a half sheet pan with parchment and set aside.
• Mix the salt, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon and orange peel together in a small bowl and set aside.
• Place the nuts in a 10-inch cast iron skillet and set over medium heat. Toast, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes until they just start to brown. Add the butter and stir until it melts. Add the spice mixture and stir to combine. Once combined, add the sugars and water, stirring until the mixture thickens and coats the nuts, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
• Transfer the nuts to the prepared sheet pan and separate them with a fork or spatula. Allow the nuts to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container for storage.
• Yield: 1 pound pecans

PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crust: Combine the gingersnaps, brown sugar, and ginger in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the cookies are fine crumbs. Drizzle the butter into the crumb mixture. Pulse 8 to 10 times to combine.
• Press the gingersnap mixture into the bottom, up the sides, and just over the lip of a 9-inch glass pie dish. Place on a half sheet pan and bake the crust for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool crust at least 10 minutes before filling.
• For the filling: Bring the pumpkin puree to a simmer over medium heat in a 2-quart saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the half-and-half, nutmeg, and salt. Stir and return the mixture to a simmer. Remove the pumpkin mixture from the heat and cool for 10 minutes.
• Whisk the brown sugar, eggs, and yolk until smooth in a large bowl. Add the pumpkin mixture and whisk until thoroughly combined. Pour the prepared filling into the warm pie crust and bake on the same half sheet pan until the center jiggles slightly but the sides of the filling are set, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool on a cooling rack for at least 2 to 3 hours before slicing. Pie can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance. Pie is best the day after it is made.
• For mini-pies: Evenly divide the crust mixture between 5 (5-inch) pie tins and bake on a half sheet pan for 5 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before evenly dividing the filling between the pans. Bake until the center juggles slightly but the sides of the filling are set, 25 minutes. Cool on a cooling rack for 2 hours. Spread 1 teaspoon of light brown sugar on the top of each pie. Melt the sugar using a torch to form a crispy top. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.
• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Slice a small piece of skin off the one side of the pumpkin so when laid on its side, the pumpkin will lay flat without rolling. Remove the stem and split the pumpkin in half from top to bottom, using a large cleaver and a mallet. Scoop out the seeds and fiber with a large metal spoon or ice cream scoop. Cut the fibers with kitchen shears if necessary. Reserve seeds for another use.
• Sprinkle the flesh with kosher salt and lay the halves, flesh side down, on a parchment paper-lined half sheet pan. Roast until a paring knife can be easily inserted and removed from the pumpkin, 30 to 45 minutes. Test in several places to ensure doneness.
• Remove the half sheet pan to a cooling rack and cool the pumpkin for 1 hour. Using a large spoon, remove the roasted flesh of the pumpkin from the skin to the bowl of a food processor. Process until the flesh is smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.